CC Minutes - 09/14/11 Work Session

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Mr. Kinnison emphasized that the situation in the areas around the University was not unique to Eugene and was similar to the experiences of other university communities in the United States. He said that a strong commitment from all stakeholders was required to address the problems that existed in the neighborhoods and a variety of approaches were necessary. Behavioral modification could be effective but was not enough, and consequences were necessary. Law enforcement had an important role in addressing the issues of concern. Mr. Kinnison called the council's attention to Section 6 of the report, which included the strategies developed by the working group, and noted that Appendix D was an anticipated effectiveness matrix evaluation of the strategies. Mr. Kinnison highlighted the strategies developed by the working group that required City support and noted where council action would be required. Strategies included: • Develop a Eugene "social host" ordinance • Increase fines for alcohol- and noise- related offenses • Enhance police resources • UO Police Department /University Public Safety District • Regulate party bus impacts • Crime prevention through environmental design • Countermeasure for traffic sign vandalism • Home Ownership and Investment Program • Evaluate need for Multiple -Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) in the campus area • Neighborhood -based planning Mayor Piercy thanked the members of the working group. She asked what constituted a neighborhood association in a case such as the WUN, when it is almost entirely occupied by students. She suggested the City could work with students to determine how the neighborhood could have a neighborhood association that would be meaningful to its residents and in keeping with the community's' goals. Mayor Piercy endorsed approaches that increased stability in neighborhoods that now included a mix of students and owner - occupants. Referring to the strategy for neighborhood -based planning, Mayor Piercy endorsed code changes that allowed for the inclusion of social gathering spaces in multi -unit housing. Ms. Taylor advocated for the development of infill compatibility standards to protect the neighborhoods surrounding the campus. She believed it was important to save the South University Neighborhood and expressed concern about the impact of the MUPTE on the neighborhood. She supported home ownership but noted that some parents bought homes for their children while they attended the UO but the students did not care about the house and treated it as a "big party place." Ms. Taylor suggested the City could save money by buying vandal - resistant signs. In response, Ms. Jacobs suggested the City's practice of placing signs in the ground without anchoring them incement contributed to the problem. She reported that there were 72 missing street name signs in the South University Neighborhood. Ms. Taylor expressed concern about increasing fines on students. MINUTES— Eugene City Council September 14, 2011 Page 4 Work Session