HomeMy WebLinkAbout9.18.2019 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8�h Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
September 18, 2019
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor, Claire Syrett, Jennifer
Yeh
Councilors Absent: Alan Zelenka, Greg Evans
Councilor Taylor opened the September 18, 2019, work session of the Eugene City Council in Mayor
Vinis'absence.
WORK SESSION: Digital Signs
Senior Planner Jenessa Dragovich introduced the topic, defining digital signs, providing some
examples, and outlining the benefits, drawbacks, and regulation options.
Council Discussion
o Councilor Semple - expressed concern about the safety of digital signs, particularly
considering the City's Vision Zero policy; would prefer to reduce signage for both safety and
aesthetic reasons; asked staff for the legal minimum of what the City would be required to
change.
o Councilor Syrett - asked when Springfield changed its code to allow digital signs; asked
whether there could be a limit on the number of digital billboards within the city, and
whether those signs could be limited to billboards currently in existence; supported digital
signs generally, though would like their number to be limited.
o Councilor Yeh - requested input from the Vision Zero advisory body; asked for a copy of the
City of Springfield's code; asked about the energy use difference between lighting for
existing billboards and digital signs; asked staff how the City could use the billboards for
Amber Alerts and nonprofit use; noted that digital signs make advertising less expensive for
nonprofits and small businesses; expressed support for the draft motion contained in the
materials.
o Councilor Pryor - asked staff for statistics on accidents associated with digital signs;
thought the content of a sign determined its level of distraction, not the medium itself,
supported exploration of regulations to address and enable new technology.
o Councilor Clark- supported the motion, noting that digital signs were economical and
effective for mass communication; thought they could be a helpful tool for communicating
with residents in emergency situations.
o Councilor Taylor - agreed with Councilor Semple that digital billboards were distracting
and not aesthetically pleasing; supported efforts to limit or reduce the number of signs;
supported making the message on the Holt Center readerboard static.
o Councilor Syrett - said that opinions about what is attractive or distracting are subjective;
would also like to receive the answers to Councilor Yeh's questions; noted that regulations
are key to maintaining livability and public safety.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council September 18, 2019 Page 1
Work Session
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Pryor, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to initiate
land use code amendments to allow digital billboards and digital readerboards within
the city and to implement changes to the sign regulations identified by staff that are
legally required or necessary to clarify the current regulations. PASSED 4:2, Councilors
Taylor and Semple opposed.
2. WORK SESSION: Alley Access Lots
Principal Planner Alissa Hunter Hansen introduced the topic, explaining what an alley access lot
is, where they are permitted, and the standards that currently apply to them.
Council Discussion
o Councilor Pryor - thought the issue needed to be addressed within the confines of House
Bill 2001; supported opportunities to add to the community's housing stock while ensuring
and protecting neighborhood livability.
o Councilor Syrett - expressed concern that many building requirements for alley access lots
were different from regular lots; supported looking at regulations that only mitigate unique
issues such as size and privacy considerations.
o Councilor Semple - supported efforts to create more housing, including on alley lots; agreed
that regulations for building on alley access lots should be the same as regular lots except
where unique aspects need to be addressed; asked questions about who is responsible for
maintaining and improving the alleys, what width an alley is required to be, and what
parking requirements there are for alley lots.
o Councilor Clark - noted that tiny or smaller homes are not necessarily more affordable;
construction and operation costs are expensive.
o Councilor Taylor - said the restrictions on alley access lots make a lot of sense and are the
product of a detailed process; warned against making casual changes to current laws.
The meeting adjourned at 1:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
BGt� J...t
Beth Forrest
(Recorded by Cas Casados)
View the webcast of this work session here.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council September 18, 2019 Page 2
Work Session