CC Minutes - 04/23/12 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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council must find that approval of the vacation was in the public interest. Findings of compliance with the approval criteria were included in the council meeting packet as Attachment D. Mayor Piercy asked councilors to declare any ex parte contacts or conflicts of interest. She reported she had briefly discussed the alley vacation with representatives of Capstone Collegiate Communities. Councilor Ortiz declared a potential conflict of interest because of her employment with PeaceHealth. City Attorney Emily Jerome determined that at most Ms. Ortiz's conflict was a potential conflict. Councilor Poling had met with representatives of the applicant, Capstone Collegiate Communities, and heard a brief overview of the project, which included information about the vacation already in the record. Councilor Zelenka had a similar meeting with representatives of the applicant, which included discussion of the Multi -Unit Property Tax Exemption ( MUPTE), on -site management, the proposed project, and a description of the alley vacation. Councilor Farr also had a similar meeting with the applicant although he was unsure the alley vacation was discussed. City Attorney Jerome indicated that the declared conflicts also applied to the next agenda item regarding the MUPTE. She indicated that in addition to the approval criterion, the council must find that proper consent and notice had been provided. Mayor Piercy reviewed the applicable criterion. She noted that the council received a request to leave the record open and would do so. Mayor Piercy opened the public hearing. She first called on those in support of the application and limited remarks to two minutes. John Acken, Capstone Collegiate Communities, commended the community input his company had received and the quality of City's staff work. He concurred with the staff recommendation to straighten the alley, to designate bicycle and pedestrian ways on the alleyway, and to improve the pedestrian and bicycle crossings along adjacent rights -of -way. He said the alley vacation would improve access to downtown and the UO. Gregory McAleer, Ward 3, supported the proposed development as a way to expand downtown and integrate the downtown and university areas. The alley vacation would help provide a bicycle path to campus and promote a healthier lifestyle. He also supported the MUPTE application and urged the council to place more emphasis on student housing downtown. Eric Gunderson, Ward 3, shared Pivot Architecture's support for both the alley vacation and MUPTE applications. He spoke of the many new developments downtown and said both new and existing businesses needed people in the form of residents living downtown. He believed the proposed project was perfectly timed. He also believed the City had planned for this outcome and had constructed infrastructure to support it. He suggested the development would more fully integrate the UO into the community. He asked the council to support both applications. Mark Davis, Veneta, supported the application and thought improved bicycle access on 12 Avenue needed to allow cyclists to avoid car and bus traffic. He said that those who worked at his downtown firm, "CoChops," were bicycling commuters and would be served by the infrastructure constructed to serve the development. MINUTES— Eugene City Council April 23, 2012 Page 4 Regular Meeting