Item 3: Ord. Vacating W 12th Ave, between Olive and Willamtte and Willamette Alley

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY th Public Hearing: An Ordinance Vacating West 12 Avenue, Located between th Olive Street and Willamette Street, and Willamette Alley, Located between West 12 th Avenue and West 13 Avenue (VRI 12-1) Meeting Date: April 23, 2012 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Becky Taylor www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541/682-5437 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council will hold a public hearing on a right-of-way vacation request submitted by Capstone Collegiate Communities, LLC (herein referred to as “Capstone”). The property affected by this proposed th action is the segment of West 12 Avenue (which functions as an alley) between Olive Street and th Willamette Street and the northern portion of the segment of Willamette Alley, between West 12 th Avenue and West 13 Avenue. Aerial context and area of request maps are included as Attachments A and B. Attachment C shows the applicant’s proposed right-of-way dedication. BACKGROUND The public hearing date for the vacation request has been set for April 23, 2012. As noted above and shown on the attached maps, Capstone is requesting the City of Eugene to vacate the segment of West th 12 Avenue, between Olive Street and Willamette Street, and the northern portion of Willamette Alley, thth between West 12 Avenue and West 13 Avenue. The area of the request is 13,478 square feet (0.31 acres). Capstone is proposing to develop the adjacent lands, currently owned by Peace Health, with multi-family housing. Capstone is also in the process of purchasing an adjacent parcel (Tax Lot 900 of Assessor’s Map 17-03-31-42) owned by David R. Lyons Trust to include in the development site. The vacation is requested to facilitate construction of development over the existing right-of-way, at the th ground level on West 12 Avenue and above ground (building stories three through five) over Willamette Alley. The proposed redevelopment of the site with student housing would implement the City’s vision for an active and vibrant downtown. The development enabled by the proposed vacation request would also facilitate improved pedestrian and bicycle safety by separating the current vehicle access from the proposed pedestrian and bicycle environment, and realigning the east-west bicycle and pedestrian connection through the site for a more direct connection between Olive and Willamette Streets. If the vacation request is approved, the proposed realignment of the pedestrian and bicycle way through the site is expected to operate more safely and efficiently than the existing irregular alignment that is also open to vehicles. The vacation request process serves as a means to evaluate the need for public-ways as land develops and uses change over time. This request for vacation is being considered in accordance with Sections 9.8700-9.8725 of the Eugene Code (EC) and Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 271.080-271.230, and processed pursuant to EC 9.7445–9.7455. The public hearing is being conducted consistent with quasi- judicial procedures in State law and as set forth in EC 9.7065 through EC 9.7095. S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M120423\S1204233.doc