CC Minutes - 11/21/11 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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4. PUBLIC HEARING: Bascom Village City Manager Ruiz introduced the item, a public hearing regarding the allocation of HOME funds, City systems development charge waivers, and the disposition of the County Farm landbank site for construction of Bascom Village, a 101 -unit affordable housing development proposed by St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County and the Housing and Community Services Agency (HACSA) of Lane County. He reported that the hearing was preceded by a neighborhood forum, two public hearings held by the Housing Policy Board (HPB), and a council work session. The council was scheduled to take action on the HPB's recommendation to approve the proposal on November 28, 2011. Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Poling, moved to temporarily set aside the rules and allow Mike Reeder to speak up to 40 minutes. Councilor Clark suggested that the council might save time if Mr. Reeder, who represented the opponents of the project, was allowed to speak first. Councilors briefly discussed the motion, with councilors Taylor and Brown expressing opposition on the basis of precedent, and councilors Pryor, Farr, and Poling expressing interest in such an approach to save meeting time. Councilor Brown recommended the council discuss the issues raised at a process session. Roll call vote: The vote on the motion was a 4:4 tie; councilors Poling, Clark, Pryor, and Farr voting yes; councilors Taylor, Ortiz, Brown, and Zelenka voting no. Mayor Piercy voted against the motion and it failed on a final vote of 5:4. Mayor Piercy opened the public hearing. Linda Hamilton, 2718 Martinique Avenue, said when the Human Rights Commission discussed the Bascom Village proposal on November 15 she had been cut off from presenting information about her findings about the November 9 forum by another commissioner with a personal agenda. That was the first time she had ever been cut off at a commission meeting. Ms. Hamilton asked the council to hear both sides of the issue. She never again wanted to be in a position as a City commissioner where she felt only one side was being heard. Rick Satre, 375 West 4` Avenue, supported the proposed development, noting the property in question was appropriately designated and zoned. It was in public ownership and intended for use as an affordable housing development. He noted there were 77 different affordable housing developments dispersed through Eugene and many people were unaware such a project was located near them. He believed the developers of the proposed project were conscious of the need to consider scale, massing, setbacks, and buffering. The project helped the community meet its growth management goals. Mr. Satre suggested the alternative to the proposed project would be a market -rate project that could have as many as 28 dwelling units per acre. Maria Thomas, PO Box 23 74 1, supported affordable housing and worked with low - income families. She did not believe the proposed project was in the best interest of the low- income families she worked with because of the high densities proposed, which were not conducive to a healthy, stress -free environment. It was challenging for families to live on second and third floors in a micro - managed culture. She called for a project with lower densities comprised of duplexes with yards where children could play. Ms. Thomas suggested the council support the best quality housing that supported a healthy lifestyle for MINUTES— Eugene City Council November 21, 2011 Page 7 Public Hearing