Item A: Ordinance on Airport Master Plan

Home Browse Search

Mr. Belcher said he lived in Eugene and never parked long term at the airport, and it had no value to him. While it may be wise to buy land to expand capacity at a later time, it was foolish to buy land when it was not known if it would be needed in the future. Mr. Belcher, seconded by Ms. Warnes, modified his motion to recommend that the automobile parking not be expanded until usage numbers demon- strated the current facility reached capacity more than ten times a year. Mr. Mills said he flew frequently and had been in dozens of airports throughout the country. The welcoming aspect, which included parking, was important to the success of the airport. He would oppose the motion. Mr. Randall agreed with Mr. Mills. He opined that while reaching capacity two times a year was not enough, ten times a year was too many and would hurt the airport. The motion failed 1:6, with Commissioner Belcher voting in favor of the motion, and Commissioners Beierle, Duncan, Hledik, Mills, Randall, and Warnes against the motion. Mr. Noble, seconded by Mr. McCown, moved that the Lane County Plan- ning Commission approve the Eugene Airport Master Plan Update and forward a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption. Mr. Sullivan suggested that the commission highlight trigger points for parking to the BCC. Mr. Noble suggested the trigger points be noted as a concern for the BCC. Ms. Arkin found it unacceptable that LTD would not participate in providing public transportation to the airport. She asked that the commission’s recommendation to the BCC include language to draw attention that no viable public transportation was available for the airport. Mr. McCown stated that Andy Vobora from LTD served on the advisory committee. Mr. McCown understood that LTD had not commented it would not participate in providing public transportation to the airport, but rather had found the service was not sustainable. Mr. Noble agreed with Mr. McCown, noting LTD had offered the service on a trial basis in 2003 and there had not been enough demand for the service, with an average of only one passenger per day. He asserted there needed to be enough demand to support the service. Other public transportation options tried included a rideshare program supported by the airport. Taxi service was available. Ms. Arkin asserted the community’s sensibilities around public transportation had grown since 2003 and it was important to let the community know the service was available. She was concerned about voting yes on the motion because she saw no priority setting and saw the master plan as a blank check. MINUTES June 1, 2010 Page 9 Joint Public Hearing of the City of Eugene and Lane County Planning Commissions