CC Minutes - 03/14/11 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mary Wood, 1515 Agate Street, summarized the recommendations of a white paper from the Environmental Law Program at the University of Oregon on the subject of reforming local land use laws to allow micro livestock on urban homesteads and submitted copies of the paper to the council. Cheryl Smith, 22705 Highway 36, Cheshire, publisher of "Ruminations," a magazine celebrating the small goat, discussed her experience as the owner of miniature goats. She said that goats did not stink and their feces were pellets. She did not advocate for allowing non - neutered male goats inside the city limits. She reviewed the space requirements for goats, indicating 100 square feet could support two miniature goats. She clarified that pygmy goats were good pets but were not normally milking goats. Ms. Smith shared some of the requirements of goat keeping and described some of the benefits of keeping miniature goats, which could also be taught tricks and trained to walk on a leash. Ron Crasilneck, 2123 Spring Terrace, representing the organization "Save Civic Stadium," thanked the council for scheduling a work session on Civic Stadium and invited the council to visit the Web site "SaveCivicStadium.org." He said his six- person organization was a group of community volunteers acting on behalf of thousands of people who had a personal connection to the stadium. He recalled the study commissioned by the City and Save Civic Stadium, which suggested the stadium could be revitalized into a community sports and entertainment hub. He conceded an investor group was unable to move that project forward. However, his organization had reconfigured the project to move forward on a nonprofit basis. He reported that the United States Soccer League wished to locate a team in Eugene. His organization was meeting with the management of the Portland Timbers soccer team to discuss potential areas of collaboration. Mr. Crasilneck said the existence of the stadium was in jeopardy because School District 4J had not forwarded his organization's proposal for board consideration. He believed the district was viewing the property as a money- making opportunity rather than considering its highest and best use for the broader community. Jonathan Brandt, 57 West 20` Avenue, also representing the organization "Save Civic Stadium," said that his organization had a viable plan for the property that met stated City goals related to sustainability, neighborhood livability, historic preservation, economic development, and tourism. The plan was the highest and best use for property because it preserved the stadium, was more appropriate for the neighborhood, had more community -wide benefits, and was sufficiently flexible to accommodate partners such as the YMCA. He also believed that the stadium presented the opportunity to bring a professional soccer sports team to Eugene. Jim Watson, 2411 Monroe Street, discussed Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama as an example of a facility on which to model the future of Civic Stadium. Alan Beck, 2692 Villa Way, Springfield, asked the council to indicate to the school district what its preference was in regard to Civic Stadium. He suggested that consideration should include historic preservation, neighborhood livability, economic development and jobs, and tourism. Julia Serra, 515 Berntzen Drive, asked the council to allow residents to keep goats. She did not think goats would be more intrusive than dogs. She believed the keeping of goats supported Eugene's sustainability goals and supported local food production. She wanted to know where her food came from. Ms. Serra did not want her money to support less- than - ethical farming practices and was also concerned about rising gas prices. She wanted her family to be self - sufficient. She reported that she had talked to her neighbors about the issue and none objected if she wished to keep goats. Bob Machierione, 1995 Brewer Road, believed that goats might not be bad neighbors. He thanked the councilors for taking into consideration the information provided by his organization, Our Money Our MINUTES— Eugene City Council March 14, 2011 Page 3 Regular Meeting