Item 6: PH - Ordinance Renaming 3rd/4th Connector

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Mr. Hledik asked if the other street with the name Shelton was in honor of Dr. Shelton and if the City had standards for using the terms "boulevard" and "avenue." Mr. Nystrom said he did not know if Shelton Avenue was named for Dr. Shelton and the City did not have specific standards, but generally speaking boulevard would suggest a larger, more substantial street. Mr. Belcher announced an ex parte contact with Mark Harris, a Lane Community College instructor. Mr. Belcher said he contacted Mr. Harris to research whether Dr. Shelton had been involved with any organizations that could present problems with the street naming. He said there was no evidence of any such associations. He thought the term "boulevard" was pretentious for the street in question. Mr. Hudspeth asked if the City had received any feedback from Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson board members regarding other options for the street name. Mr. Kullby said board members were most interested in the use of an historic name for the street, and board members were prepared to testify at the hearing and could respond to questions. Mr. Flock pointed out that the initial request from Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House had proposed the name McMurphey Way. Ms. Colbath asked what constituted a "way" and was it considered smaller than an avenue. Mr. Nystrom said that the terms were not regulated but the general public's perception was probably that a hierarchy would place "boulevard" above "avenue" and "way." Mr. Flock noted that the letter from Tom Harding commented on his perception of the hierarchy and the differences between street types in regards to the historic significance of the term "boulevard." Ms. Colbath adjourned the Planning Commission study session at 5:50 p.rn. (Recorded by Lynn Taylor) MINUTES - Eugene Planning Commission Study Session March 14,2006 Page 2