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Mr. Farr said the cost of land in Eugene meant that housing was too expensive to develop for many <br />residents to buy. He also recalled that in the past, homebuilding had been a driver of economic <br />prosperity, and reducing the number of single - family dwellings that could be built negatively affected that <br />part of the economy. <br />Mr. Farr observed that Junction City's urban growth boundary was at Meadowview Road, very proximate <br />to Eugene. That community welcomed growth and would need to provide more municipal services and <br />infrastructure to its residents so they could get to their jobs in Eugene. <br />Mr. Brown reminded the council that the City was going through the process because it was a State <br />requirement. He said that Eugene used to be part of regional planning compact and if that was still the <br />case he doubted the council would be having the discussion because there was room in Springfield for <br />more housing and industrial development. He regretted the move away from regional planning. <br />Ms. Taylor asked how the City could reduce land costs. She expressed a preference for a 40:60 housing <br />ratio because she believed the country was running out of land and it was important to save forested and <br />agriculture land for future generations. She suggested the City consider revising its regulations to make it <br />easier for developers to build multiple - family housing. While it was not her personal preference, Ms. <br />Taylor believed that many residents preferred multiple- family housing. She suggested if the City Council <br />subsidized firms that paid low -wages it would increase the number of people who needed affordable <br />housing. <br />Mr. Dedrick then provided a project update on industrial lands. He reminded the council that it directed <br />staff to analyze lands outside the UGB for their development potential. He shared a series of maps <br />showing the locations of potential development sites and described the sites in question and staff's <br />property owner contacts. He concluded by saying that there had been considerable property owner <br />interest and staff would continue to work with the property owners and refine the site analyses. <br />Responding to a question from Mr. Brown, City Attorney Emily Jerome said in order for the City to be <br />able to count industrial land in Goshen toward its identified need, it would have to bring the land inside <br />its urban growth boundary, which was impossible due to its location. It would require formal regional <br />planning to be able to count that land toward the need. <br />Ms. Taylor adjourned the meeting at 1:21 p.m. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />,6 It/, J. <br />Beth Forrest <br />City Recorder <br />(Recorded by Kimberly Young) <br />MINUTES— Eugene City Council September 28, 2011 Page 4 <br />Work Session <br />