Item 3: Ordinance to Vacate Alley Adjacent to Eugene Hotel

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: An Ordinance Vacating a Portion of High Alley, Located Between East Broadway and East Broadway Alley (VRI 12-2) Meeting Date: September 10, 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 is scheduled to take action on an ordinance for the right-of-way vacation request submitted by the Eugene Hotel Retirement Center (Eugene Hotel). The 14-foot wide right-of-way proposed for vacation is the segment of High Alley between East Broadway and East Broadway Alley, along the east side of the Eugene Hotel. The area of the request is 2,259 square feet (0.05 acre). Maps of the proposed vacation are included as Attachments A and B. BACKGROUND On July 23, 2012, the City Council held a public hearing to consider the Eugene Hotel’s request for vacation of the segment of High Alley between East Broadway and East Broadway Alley. The public hearing was conducted consistent with quasi-judicial procedures in State law and as set forth in EC 9.7065 through EC 9.7095. No one testified at the public hearing, aside from the applicant. No objections or concerns have been identified by the public or by affected agencies and utility companies. 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 purpose of this vacation is to facilitate the creation of a pedestrian environment with the establishment of new retail spaces along the abutting east wall of the Eugene Hotel building. The eastern ground-floor portion of the building has been without a tenant since the City vacated its offices in 2008. The applicant states that it has been difficult to market the space for retail uses because of its configuration and limited street visibility on East Broadway. Vacation of this 14-foot-wide alley would enhance visibility by creating storefronts along the east wall of the building. This concept will also help create more marketable retail space by increasing the possibilities for smaller, more functional lease spaces. Applicable Criteria Consent of the owners of the requisite area has been obtained and the applicant has paid a deposit equal to the assessment of special benefit. The relevant approval criterion from EC 9.8725 for the proposed right-of-way vacation is listed below: The city council shall approve, or approve with conditions and reservations of easements, the vacation of improved public right-of-way, public ways acquired with public funds, or S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M120910\S1209103.doc