Item A: Comprehensive Plan for Bringing Properties into City

Home Browse Search

EO "How do we get government agencies to collaborate instead of compete ?" Public Forum Comment EXECUTIVE SUMMARY River Road and Santa Clara Community Organizations joined together in February 2011 on an ambitious public outreach project to survey area residents and identify priorities for the future development of both neighborhoods. Known as Santa Clara -River Road Outreach and Learning ( SCRROL) project the active outreach was launched in May 2011. Volunteers from Santa Clara Community Organization (SCCO) and River Road Community Organization (RRCO) formed the SCRROL leadership team. SCRROL MISSION STATEMENT: To develop a community -wide, shared knowledge about challenges and opportunities in our growing and changing neighborhoods that can inform collaborative decisions in the future. SCRROL's goal was to identify current neighborhood priorities and facilitate community dialogue on four key issues identified in the 2006 Transition Report accepted by the City of Eugene: land use, governance, parks and recreation, and transportation. Residents, service district providers, business representatives, and other interested parties in Santa Clara and River Road were interviewed and asked to complete a Neighborhood Conversation form. With the assistance of 76 neighborhood volunteers, SCRROL contributed a conservative estimated 2000 hours educating, listening to and interviewing their neighbors. It was a robust two -way flow of information. Although volunteers did not hear from everyone, it is fair to say SCRROL achieved a solid representation of residents. Personal conversations with over 700 residents illuminated the following key priorities: • Make streets safer and more friendly for cyclists and walkers • Protect the look and feel of the neighborhood while accommodating additional growth • Protect agricultural land in and surrounding the neighborhood •Protect and enhance waterways, wildlife habitat and open space •Increase police patrols •Maintain or expand recreation services and community events in the neighborhood, such as community centers, ball fields, exercise classes, and so on. From interviews with service providers (Santa Clara Fire District, Lane Rural Fire /Rescue, the River Road Parks and Recreation District, Santa Clara Water District and River Road Water District), SCRROL learned how annexation is eroding the tax base of these service districts. All districts are concerned about long -term sustainability.