HomeMy WebLinkAbout230117 PHMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Public Hearing
Eugene, Oregon 97401
January 17, 2023
5:30p.m.
Councilors Present: Randy Groves Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh,
Mike Clark, Greg Evans, and Lyndsie Leech
Councilor Groves opened the January 17, 2023 public hearing of the Eugene City Council in
a hybrid format at 101 W 10th Avenue, Suite 114, Eugene OR 97401.
1. PUBLIC HEARING -An Ordinance Concerning the Skinner Butte Height Limitation
Area, Amending Section 9.6715 and Figure 9.6715(3) of the Eugene Code, 1971.
Councilor Groves opened the Public Hearing in quasi-judicial format.
Assistant City Manager, Kristie Hammitt, introduced the topic and provided background
information.
Councilor Groves provided time for Council members to disclose any bias, conflicts of
interest, ex parte communications or abstentions pursuant to Eugene Code 9.7065.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Leech -disclosed a recent meeting with Sarah Means from Obie company
in which they discussed the need for increased housing and how the proposed code
amendment could impact that need.
• Councilor Evans disclosed a recent meeting with Sarah Means and Brian Obie from
Obie company in which they discussed the need for increased housing and how the
proposed code amendment could impact that need.
• Councilor Groves -disclosed a recent meeting with Sarah Means of the Obie
Company regarding downtown housing and development processes.
1. Sarah Means -spoke on behalf of the applicant.
2. Betsy Schultz -spoke in favor of the proposed code amendment.
3. Samantha Roberts -spoke in favor of the proposed code amendment.
4. Mary Dour -spoke in opposition of the proposed code amendment.
5. Robin Bloomgarden -spoke in opposition of the proposed code amendment.
6. Mark Rabinowitz -spoke in opposition of the proposed code amendment.
7. William O'Brien -spoke in opposition of the proposed code amendment.
8. "Prem" Terri Dawson spoke in opposition of the proposed code amendment.
9. Jim Neu -spoke in opposition of the proposed code amendment.
Staff and applicant waved right to rebuttal of testimony.
MINUTES Eugene City Council
Public Hearing
January 17, 2023 Page 1
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Leech -asked staff to clarify the process for consideration and applicable
approval criteria.
• Councilor Keating -noted his preference to build Eugene up rather than out; asked
staff to provide information regarding studies done on the impact of this code
amendment on migratory birds; asked staff to gather any environmental impact
information that this amendment could have on migratory patterns.
• Councilor Yeh -asked staff to clarify if the proposed code amendment is use
specific; asked if the code could require the use to be for housing.
• Councilor Clark -asked if it is appropriate for the approval criteria to inquire about,
or require, increased capacity of use with the increased height; asked staff which
Council Goal is specifically related to infrastructure.
Councilor Groves closed the Public Hearing and record for the code amendment.
Councilor Groves adjourned the meeting at 6:12 p .m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Sara McKinney)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here .
MINUTES -Eugen e City Council
Public Hea rin g
January 17, 2023 Page 2