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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/17/1988 Meeting e e e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall February 17, 1988 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Freeman Holmer, Ruth Bascom, Robert Bennett, Debra Ehrman, Jeff Miller, Roger Rutan, Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten. The adjourned meeting of February 10, 1988, of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order at 11:43 a.m. by His Honor Mayor Brian B. Obie. Councilors received copies of a memo dated February 16, 1988, from the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Partnership; packets dated February 16, 1988, from Jim Saul and Associates; and correspondence from the City Attorney. I. RECOGNITION OF US WEST DIRECT Mayor Obie recognized Bill Sloat of the Business Assistance Team staff, who introduced Russell Farley of US West Direct Corporation. Mr. Sloat said a tremendous gesture in the spirit of public/private partnership had resulted in arrangements for the inside cover of the 1988 US West Yellow Pages to list a source of assistance for Lane County businesses: 687-5033, a line that had been provided free of charge by US West Direct. Mr. Farley said US West found it a privilege to be able to participate in the community and a pleasure to serve as responsible individuals and corporate citizens. He presented the Mayor with a copy of the 1988-89 telephone directory, adding that US West was looking forward to serving the community through the business assistance line. Mayor Obie thanked Mr. Farley for the directory and presented him with a City of Eugene pin. II. ITEMS FROM MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND CITY MANAGER A. Willamette National Forest Master Plan Mr. Rutan requested council direction concerning input on the Willamette National Forest Master Plan for the Council Committee on Economic Diversification. He said the Forest Service was seeking comments, and the magnitude of the lumber and wood products industry made it an issue MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 1 - that City government should look at. He said the plan would have a major impact on the community, and he recognized that the plan was complex and that City Councilors were not experts, however he felt that CCED should make a recommendation to the council about input on the plan. Mr. Rutan added that he had no preconceived notions about what that input should be, but he did want to raise the issue. Ms. Wooten said the City in the past had been asked to examine forest management plans, but that never had been done, and it was unprecedented for the City to enter that controversy. She said she did not deny the impact or the need for interest in the issue, but she was opposed to offering input for several reasons, including 1) the technical and complex nature of the matter, involving details of economic, silvaculture, and biological issues, which if looked at, should be considered thoroughly and with more expertise than the council has; 2) the time-consuming process and the other items on the council's agenda; 3) the divisive and controversial nature of the issue; 4) the lack of new information or political influence that could be offered; and 5) the requirement for a public hearing, which would repeat other hearings already held by the State and the County. She added that she favored addressing secondary wood products manufacturing, looking at the value of timber products in the economy, not just at their volume. - Mr. Holmer referred to the draft Economic Development Strategic Plan, noting that lumber and wood products represented 38 percent of manufacturing employment in Eugene and that Chapter 3 stated an intent lito continue to assist the wood products industry to sustain or increase the availability of raw materials." He said he favored a firm position representing the City's interest in an important industry. Mayor Obie reported that he had held several meetings with Mike Kerrick, manager of the Willamette National Forest Service, and had been kept informed, and he said forest representatives would appreciate a City posture, whatever that might be. Responding to Ms. Ehrman's question, Mr. Rutan said the public comment period had been extended to May 15. Committee members said the committee could fashion a recommendation for council discussion. Ms. Wooten added that if the City Council chose to proceed, it could not do so in a blithe way, but the process must be done well, she believed with lots of public participation. She said she did not want the community to turn its back entirely on the issue of the natural resource base of the area and its contribution to the economy, but she also recognized that a City position was wholly unprecedented. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, that the City Council request CCED to examine the proposal and the alternatives and to make a recommendation to the council about whether the council should take a position, and if so, what that public process might be. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 2 - e e Ms. Bascom said her second had been made under council rules, and she spoke against the motion. She said a position would be shallow, while the issue was complex and had been the subject of other lengthy hearings. She said she believed that a diversity of opinions existed and had been stated, and she did not favor a council position. Mr. Bennett said he wondered whether a way existed for the council to convey its interest in protecting wood products employment without having to try to address all the specific, technical issues. He said he was worried that involvement of too much public process would dilute the council's position. Mayor abie said he hoped the committee would address that in its recommendations. Ms. Schue expressed concern that the council already had a heavy agenda. She said she agreed with the concerns expressed by Councilors Wooten and Bascom about the lack of expertise and effectiveness. Ms. Ehrman agreed, adding that individual councilors were free to follow the issue. Mr. Miller said the committee might decide not to make any comments, but he favored allowing that decision. Mr. Holmer said he believed the committee should look at the issue because the plan appeared to affect many jobs in the area's economy. Mayor abie said he felt a responsibility to the Forest Service and others who had been trying to do outreach and to get input from the community, and he did not want to avoid that responsibility. He said he agreed that the council in the past had "ducked" the issue. He said the foundation of this community was based on the woods products industry more than 100 years ago. He said threats to an industry that provides 38 percent of the area's employment should concern the community and the council. Mayor abie added that he had been depressed to learn this morning that housing starts last month had been at a low going back to 1982. He said he thought the community could be in a very difficult time ahead, both because of a reduction in housing starts and because of legislative reductions in natural resources. Roll call vote, the motion carried 5:4, Councilors Bascom, Ehrman, Schue, and Wooten voting nay; Councilors Holmer, Bennett, Miller, Rutan, and Mayor abie voting aye. Ms. Wooten said she thought bias had been demonstrated going into the issue. Mr. Bennett said he was concerned that results of the committee might not have much weight at the council level. He suggested that CCED look at whether to take a general position that the full council could support. Mr. Rutan said the committee would establish process first. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 3 e B. Calkins House Ms. Ehrman asked about activities being considered for the historic Calkins House. Mr. Sloat agreed to provide more information about that. C. Grandchildren Ms. Schue announced the birth of her first grandchild, Mary Beth Hansen. D. Legislative Subcommittee Ms. Wooten suggested that Ms. Schue, Mr. Miller, and she meet regarding Federal priorities for the Legislative Subcommittee's planned trip to Washington, DC Ms. Schue reported that Jody Miller of the Intergovernmental Relations Division would be sending out information. Councilors agreed that the entire council should be notified about plans and activities. E. LRAPA Ms. Ehrman reported a huge turnout for the 20th anniversary party recently held for the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority, and she commended LRAPA's work as worthwhile. F. Trees e Ms. Bascom reported that citizen members of the tree committee had installed signs identifying various species of trees in the County Park blocks, at no cost to the City. G. Permit Turnaround Time Mayor Obie reported that the City Manager had received referrals about problems concerning lengthy waits for issuing building permits. He expressed concern that response time had been as long as five to six weeks, and he asked staff to respond. Assistant City Manager Dave Whitlow said staff had looked at the matter and was receiving weekly reports, which indicated a current response time of about 18 working days. He said a great deal of commercial building activity had occurred recently, with $30 million in permit applications being received over the past three weeks. He said staff now was working overtime, and the City would look at contracting and at receiving assistance from other agencies and private firms. Mayor Obie said the community also should be aware of the City.s limitations, so that time could be allowed for planning. Mr. Whitlow noted that the airport project and two university projects had been received recently. Responding to Ms. Ehrman's question, he said the response time was because of commercial activity in Eugene, not because of work received as part of urban transition activities. He added that two or three plans checkers had been added during the past year, and all of them were busy. He also noted that one person had been assigned for quick turnaround of small projects. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 4 e III. APPOINTMENTS: MAYOR'S NOMINATIONS TO THE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE JOINT PARKS COMMITTEE Mayor Obie presented his committee nominations. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, to appoint Anne Morrow, 2345 Me Millan, to the Citizen Involvement Committee to complete an unexpired term ending December 31, 1989; and to appoint Vi Peck, 1685 Adkins, to the Joint Parks Committee to complete an unexpired term ending December 31, 1988. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. IV. WORK SESSION: SPECIAL HEAVY INDUSTRIAL METROPOLITAN PLAN AMENDMENTS (AWBREY/MEADOWVIEW) (MA 87-6) Assistant City Manager Dave ,Whitlow introduced the item. Teresa Bishow of the Planning Department presented the staff report. She noted that the City Council had held a joint meeting with the Planning Commission and that copies of plan amendments were available. e Ms. Bishow said councilors had received oral and written testimony in today's packets, and she reviewed rebuttal testimony in the form of a letter from the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Partnership. Ms. Bishow reviewed topics A-G addressed in Mr. Saul's report, dated February 16, 1988. She also said originals of aerial photos were available for viewing after the meeting. Mr. Holmer asked about results of Monday night's meeting in Springfield. Ms. Bishow said the meeting had been a preliminary work session involving information on process, but no public hearing had been held. She said a status report from other jurisdictions would be presented at the next work session. Ms. Bishow, at the council's request, said staff was still trying to get information concerning how many of the business inquiries received by the Oregon Economic Development Department had resulted in firms choosing to locate in the state. e Ms. Bishow said types of uses allowed in the proposed industrial park would include all primary manufacturing uses and a very limited range of secondary manufacturing uses, those that were related to natural resources in the region. She said one concern raised at the work session had been that some secondary uses described were not likely to need a 40-acre site. Ms. Bishow noted that existing language, as well as proposed language, provided for a minimum lot size of 40 acres, with no provision requiring demonstration of a need for 40 acres and with no limitation or restriction on one company leasing space to another firm. Ms. Bishow noted that Page 13 of Mr. Saul's rebuttal testimony offered alternative text that would broaden the range of allowed uses, yet would MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 5 e require firms to demonstrate 1) a need for a large site; and 2) a need for rail. She said the council could take that approach, and staff requested council direction about the range of uses and whether those uses should be linked to requirements of need. She said staff then would provide modified language reflecting the council1s desires. Ms. Brody added that the Planning Commission recommendation contained two sections dealing with the Special Heavy Industrial Area. The first definition appeared on Page 11, and Mr. Saul's suggested modification referred to that definition, she said. The second definition appeared on Page 15 and addressed some of the requirements for development in the Awbrey-Meadowview area. She noted that the new definition would cover not only the Awbrey-Meadowview area, but also the existing Enid-Awbrey area and the Murphy mill site in Springfield. Ms. Bishow suggested that the council address each of six questions individually. A. Assuming approval of Urban Growth Boundary expansion to include a 200-acre industrial park, what type of uses are wanted in the area? Ms. Wooten said she felt that no secondary manufacturing should take place on those 40-acr~ parcels, and she thought the types of primary manufacturing should be examined closely and limited to specific, targeted industries. - Ms. Schue said she supported requiring a need for rail access. Mr. Holmer said he had some reservations about excluding secondary manufacturing entirely, but he agreed with the concepts expressed about large parcels and rail access. He added that he did not want to do anything that would endanger the environment. Ms. Bascom said she favored requiring a need for rail and for large parcels, no pollution, industries that could meet the development criteria established, and as much flexibility as possible to permit both primary and secondary manufacturing that might want to locate here. Mr. Rutan said he agreed with the need for flexibility in defining primary and secondary manufacturing. He noted that industry was changing and could not always be divided into definitive categories. He said he thought goals and flexibility could be achieved by establishing other general standards, such as parcel size and environmental impact. Mr. Bennett said he thought rail access and large parcel size were important requirements. He also asked whether Ms. Wooten felt that adequate secondary manufacturing sites were available in other locations. Ms. Wooten said she had several reasons for her position. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 6 e Ms. Ehrman said she would favor the most optimum situation for success at the site. She said she understood the benefit of rail access, but she also noted that the site was very close to the airport, so she did not favor requiring a need for rail access. Mr. Miller said he agreed with Ms. Bascom, Mr. Rutan, and Ms. Ehrman, and he thought the purpose of improving the inventory should be met and not tied up. Ms. Schue said she thought it seemed logical for sites that met special criteria to be preserved for industries that needed those circumstances. She said lots of other industrial land was available to meet other criteria, and she would like to hold firm on requiring rail access and large size. Ms. Wooten said one reason she was opposed to allowing secondary manufacturing was the availability of an adequate inventory in a variety of classifications. She said the request for an expansion prior to a plan update was because of a need for special heavy sites. She said the flexibility suggested in the definition would allow investment for infrastructure on the site, without requiring heavy manufacturing uses. She said she agreed with Ms. Schue that if special heavy sites were needed, they should be reserved for those uses. e Mr. Bennett asked about the size of the Enid-Awbrey site. Ms. Bishow said that parcels could not be divided below 40 acres, although five parcels in the area already were smaller than that; existing parcels ranged from 22 to 64 acres. She said one parcel in that area could acquire rail access, and the others were questionable. Mayor Obie said he heard consensus concerning the need for rail access, for large size, and for flexibility regarding secondary and primary manufacturing. He said he favored looking to performance standards, and he favored requiring all non-utilized ground to be used for agricultural purposes, as was done in Japan. Ms. Wooten asked whether rail access was to be considered important or essential, adding that she favored the latter. Ms. Brody noted that the Planning Commission had recommended requiring a need for rail access, and part of the objective had been to restrict uses in such a way that need for the particular, unique area existed, and she thought the issue of rail access was critical to demonstrating that uniqueness. Mayor Obie said he believed the council favored making rail access linearly essential ,II and further debate could be held. e B. Public and Private Costs of Providing Services to the Property Ms. Bishow distributed a matrix on costs previously provided to the council. She said it summarized a larger description of service issues found on Page 18 of the Planning Commission's report. She added that it had been stated during the Planning Commission's work session that every effort would be made to minimize public expenses until private MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 7 e development was ensured, and that extension of all public services would be done in such a way as to enhance service delivery for properties currently within the urban growth boundary. Ms. Bishow said the figure provided for police service was an estimate for one additional round-the-clock patrol beat, and included sworn officers, support personnel, and equipment. Upon annexation, and before the airport expansion was complete, no immediate need existed for increased police resources, Ms. Bishow said. She said no precise formula existed for determining when to add police patrols, but over time, as the area was annexed and as development intensified, and following completion of the airport, a time frame would be established based on need. Mr. Holmer asked whether staff had made any effort to estimate the revenues expected if the expansion were approved. Ms. Brody said that had not been done but would be possible. Ms. Bishow said the cost estimate in the matrix for fire service would support the airport expansiQn, existing City property in that region, and the 200-acre area when it was fully developed. Ms. Schue said taxation would bring additional assessed value, which would reduce individual taxes, but it would not bring the City any additional money. Mr. Bennett asked whether it was correct that industrial properties generally paid their own way if services were consistent with development. Terry Smith of the Public Works Department said that 4It generally was true on a citywide basis. Ms. Wooten asked whether the figures in the matrix were for most intensive use of the area or for any occupant. Ms. Bishow said they were for a full build-out scenario. The sewer costs included a common pump station and second small pump, with extensions. She said transportation and road improvements could be done over time, and water costs would not change based on the number of users. Ms. Wooten asked whether storm drainage costs would be absorbed by the developer. Mr. Smith said a missing component was the revenue generated by the site, which could vary and which specifically affected storm drainage through a systems development charge based on square footage of the site. He said those revenues could cover anywhere from one-fourth to all of the costs, shown as City costs for sewer, sanitary, storm, and transportation. Mr. Miller asked about the costs that would be incurred without expansion. Mr. Whitlow said he believed that, even without annexation of the Awbrey Lane area, the City would be faced with calls for service from the airport and from the River Road area. Ms. Brody added that expansion accelerated the time at which the expenditure would be required, and that also was true of fire. e Mr. Bennett asked whether, once the area began to develop, it was in the best financial interests of the City to encourage development as quickly as possible. Ms. Brody said distribution of assessment costs was desirable for sewer service, but the same did not apply to police and MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 8 e fire services. Mr. Whitlow said the tax base would not change once the area was annexed. Mr. Rutan asked whether the issue of public and private costs would represent preferential treatment or action outside of current policies regarding costs of service to properties and, if so, whether the City was incurring any costs that were unaffordable, unreasonable, or excessive. Mr. Rutan said he believed the answer to both questions was no, and that the costs were similar to other annexations and were within existing policy. He said some of the costs cited appeared to be inflated and most costs would be borne by the developer. Mr. Bennett said he thought the figures were important in deciding whether the City could afford the costs of development. Ms. Ehrman said she did not see the action as preferential treatment, but she asked whether it might be seen as turning our backs on long-time owners by adding a competitive piece of property. Mr. Holmer said he favored insisting on statements in the plan, that most costs should be covered by the developer. Ms. Wooten said she, too, wanted revenue information. She said that if other priorities exis~ed, she saw no substantial reason to spend the money and to rearrange priorities, given the existing sites for secondary manufacturing. e Mr. Miller said he wanted more information about revenue sources and percentages of additional costs. With regard to development of other parcels, he said he thought development breeded itself, and nearby development enhanced other properties. Ms. Schue said she was concerned about costs. She said the whole idea of land use planning in an urban growth boundary was to provide an orderly extension of services. She said services had been extended to undeveloped properties in other areas, with not much result. She said she was concerned about making investments sometimes years before any return, which was very difficult to finance, especially in the current situation. Mr. Bennett said he understood that the services would not be provided in advance of need, and he asked whether that was correct. Ms. Brody said the intent was to provide improvements as close as possible to the time that development actually occurred. She said advance investments in all cases might not be avoidable, but staff would try to provide better definitions. Mr. Bennett said he thought the council should deal with the property only if it was unique, which he believed was true. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 9 e C. Status of Railroads/Dual Access Ms. Bishow noted that Southern-Pacific Railroad had been sold to Rio Grande and had merged with Santa Fe. She said Mr. Saul had provided rebuttal testimony on Page 2, and although both railroads had adjusted ownership, it appeared that changes in ownership would enhance the market ranges and likely would improve service availability. She said staff understood that dual rail access offered definite advantages in terms of competitiveness and contributed to the unique marketability of the site because sites with dual rail access were unusual in Oregon. D. Utility Issues Ms. Bishow noted that Laurie Power of EWEB and James Ramsayer and Roger Meader of Blachly-Lane Electric Co-op were available to answer questions and to clarify written testimony. Ms. Bishow said representatives of Blachly-Lane wanted to clarify language in their testimony pertaining to services provided in the area. She said City staff understood and agreed with their comments. She said reliability was not an issue, and service in the area had been excellent. Ms. Bishow said information regarding cost comparison of EWEB's and Blachly-Lane's rates had been provided, and while the Planning Commission report had indicated a 44 percent difference in rates, using a hypothetical industry; Blachly-lane's information, which wa~ more detailed and included all 38 of its large industrial users, showed a 31 percent difference. e Responding to Ms. Wooten's question, staff said that according to the summary information, the developer was responsible for costs of installing mains. Ms. Ehrman asked who would provide service if the proposed expansion were approved. Ms. Bishow said the property currently was in the Blachly-Lane service district, and annexation of the property would not automatically trigger an adjustment in utility district boundaries. Responding to Ms. Bascom's question, Ms. Brody said a policy in the Metropolitan Plan now stated that EWEB and SUB should be the providers of electrical service within urban growth boundaries. She also noted that the policy had been challenged, and State legislation passed in the last session had attempted to limit application of the poliCY. E. Other Options for Large-Scale Industrial Parks Ms. Bishow reviewed methods that different groups and agencies had used to consider options for large-scale industrial parks. She showed a map of sites that had been inventoried and analyzed in the Alternative Industrial Growth Area Study. She said eight regions in the metropolitan area had been examined, and she discussed that process. She said areas outside the urban growth boundary also had been examined, and the Awbrey-Meadowview site had been identified as the top large industrial site with rail access. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 10 . e e Ms. Bishow said Mr. Saul had presented testimony regarding smaller-scale sites along rail lines, and other analyses also indicated limitations on the amount of land available. Mr. Rutan said he did not think much more information would contribute to a policy judgment, and he suggested exercising care about staff time and moving ahead. Ms. Brody said a work session was scheduled for March 9, and the council could take action at that meeting. Mr. Miller asked whether a rail port along the West Eugene Parkway was being considered for industrial developments in the area. He asked about that process. Ms. Brody said that was not under investigation now. She added that difficulties existed in providing rail access because of the elevation of the rail line. Mayor Obie suggested that Mr. Miller pursue the issue with CCED. The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m. to February 22, 1988. Re, sp/:;,t f~~l~l~~~~~~ ' ......f .-', ./ ...... - ~ta',"""".~" ,"',' 7 ., I~" ....,/ ,..,..... .;.-1" -:-' ~.f: // . / ,.' / ...,-:<;:&:y ~ ' icheal Glea on City Manager (Recorded by Leslie Scales) mncc021788 MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 11