CCMinutes - 07/12/04 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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discount the work of many staff people. Mayor Torrey said in 1998, the Parks and Open Space measure called for a large park in the north end of town. He believed this was the best opportunity to provide the best benefit for all of the citizens in Eugene, especially the people who resided in the River Road/Santa Clara area. He said he would not support the amendment in the event of a tie. Councilor Bettman pointed out that the amount of land to be gained in the swap was 207 acres and not 270 acres as had been previously mentioned. Councilor Bettman reiterated her assertion that the land swap was tantamount to a special benefit to the developer. She felt the McDougals were receiving such a huge benefit that they should give the City the Moon Mountain property as well. Roll call vote; the vote on the motion was a 4:4 tie; councilors Meisner, Taylor, Bettman and Kelly voting in favor and councilors Pap~, Poling, Nathanson, and Solomon voting in opposition. Mayor Torrey cast his vote in opposition to the motion and it failed on a final vote of 5:4. Councilor Kelly also thanked staff for the thorough responses. He was confused by what was and was not legally binding in the Metro Plan amendment or in "some other side agreement" associated with it. Ms. Riner said that the public and staff oversight on the project were two-fold; through the Metro Plan amendment and as a co-applicant. She said her division had the ability to review and approve the master plan for the 197 acres, and not just the park. She stated that it would be evaluated in order to determine that it met the purchase agreement. City Attorney Glenn Klein added that, at a minimum, there would be a Metro Plan designation which would come back before the City Council in addition to the amendment to the UGB. He added that the City was both the land owner and the regulator in this situation. He anticipated that a detailed master site plan would be developed in which all the different land uses would be delineated and would be incorporated into legally binding documents. Councilor Kelly noted the City was at the beginning of the park development process. He was uncertain how he would ultimately vote on the issue. He appreciated that there would be specificity in the further planning processes. He suggested that staff consider holding at least one charette style process. Councilor Meisner commented that he had enough qualms about the land exchange that he had supported the amendment. He would, however, support the main motion as it was time to provide the northern area of the City with a park. He called public input "substantial" as to what the park would include and he looked forward to seeing how it would be developed. In response to a question from Councilor Bettman regarding the Laurel Hill property, Ms. Riner explained that the language in the agreement was flexible, but the intention of the acquisition was for ridgeline open space. Mr. Klein added that the property would not develop without City Council approval. Councilor Bettman expressed concern that in five years a different City Council might choose to develop the property differently. Councilor Bettman did not see how a buffer on the Santa Clara site could be wide enough to protect an estimated 1,000 housing units from the activity at the horse center. She recommended that Mr. Defoe protect his interests.