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Councilor Brown noted that the ordinance spoke to the provision of special treatment and protection for <br />the property so that the uses permitted and the restrictions imposed would preserve the landmark's <br />defining historic features and allow for their rehabilitation. He asked if that could occur without the <br />ordinance. Mr. Ochs said yes. The owner could retain the current zoning but would need to retain the <br />building in its existing state or could build a multi - family development on the site. <br />Councilor Brown suggested the ordinance was necessary for the property to be used commercially. Mr. <br />Ochs indicated there were other options, but the option in question required the retention of the house's <br />historic features. <br />Responding to a question from Councilor Ortiz, Mr. Ochs confirmed that the house would have to stay <br />intact to retain its historic designation. The property owner must go through an approval process for any <br />alterations to be made. Councilor Ortiz asked if the site could accommodate additional businesses or <br />multi- family development. Mr. Ochs said yes, but the new zone would restrict additional new <br />development to a duplex, which would also need to go through the alterations approval process. <br />Councilor Ortiz was pleased to see the owner take advantage of the zone, which she hoped would keep <br />the historic house intact for a long time. <br />Mayor Piercy determined no councilor objected to closing the public record. She closed the public record <br />for the application. <br />2. PUBLIC HEARING: <br />A Special Ordinance Granting an Exemption to the Application of Section 6.200 of the <br />Eugene Code, 1971 (Ordinances to Renew Five -Year Exception to Application for <br />Controlled Ecological Burning) <br />City Manager Ruiz introduced the item, reporting that the West Eugene Wetlands Program had a long <br />history of using controlled burns to manage and restore wetland habitat. The City had employed <br />controlled burns in west Eugene since 1986. The program had sought a series of five -year exemptions to <br />the City's ban on open burning to accomplish the burns; the most recent exemption expired in December <br />2010 and staff was seeking another exemption through the proposed ordinance. City Manager Ruiz said <br />such burns allowed the City and its partners in the program to control non- native plant species and protect <br />and restore native plant habitats. In addition, it provided the Eugene Fire & EMS Department with <br />practice in fire training. <br />Mayor Piercy opened the public hearing. There being no requests to speak, she closed the public hearing <br />and called on the council for questions and comments. <br />Responding to a question from Councilor Zelenka, Natural Areas Restoration Supervisor Trevor Taylor <br />described the ecological benefits of fire to the wetlands habitat that the City was trying to protect and <br />restore. Councilor Zelenka asked how many acres were proposed to be burned. Mr. Taylor responded <br />that the program proposed a maximum of 250 acres per year within the city limits and 75 acres outside <br />the city limits and inside UGB; historically, however, the program had never succeeded in burning that <br />many acres. Under the last exemption, the most acreage burned in single year was about 125 acres <br />because of weather restrictions on burns. <br />MINUTES— Eugene City Council May 16, 2011 Page 2 <br />Public Hearing <br />