University officials and residents of the Fairmount Neighborhood presented their opinions concerning University development in the East Campus area during a public hearing held by the Eugene Planning Commission at City Hall on Tuesday night.
The University recently completed an 18-month process to update its East Campus Development Policy, a 20-year development plan that suggests many changes to the area. University officials are seeking land-use approvals from the city that are necessary to develop University-owned property in the neighborhood. The necessary land-use approvals include amendments to the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan, which guides the overall development of the Eugene area.
The University’s proposed amendments affect 29.7 acres of the 35-acre East Campus area and, if approved, future development in the neighborhood may include the construction of new student housing and other University structures.
However, more buildings will probably bring additional traffic and parking to the area, a scenario that many neighborhood residents worry about.
Fairmount Neighborhood Association member Steve Gab said the neighborhood association is mostly in support of the University’s proposal, but also wants the University to concentrate on certain issues.
Gab said the association would like to see the University improve existing parking conditions and pay more attention to the future impact the University might have on parking in the neighborhood. He said the University should also try to cooperate with the city of Eugene in order to mitigate the traffic impact that more University buildings would have on the area.
Christina Holzapfel, a resident of the Fairmount Neighborhood, said that the University provided “inadequate” on-site parking for University buildings along Agate Street. She added that parking meters installed along Agate Street and East 15th Avenue and a two-hour limit on parking along streets have pushed parking into residential areas.
“Our local residential streets have turned into little more than cruising lanes for commuters who need parking spots,” she said.
University Vice President for Administration Dan Williams said he wanted to address the”understandable anxiety” that some residents had about the proposed development.
“We know that it is important during this period of time and in the future to maintain the trust of our neighbors,” Williams said. “And I believe our commitment has been demonstrated.”
Williams said the University has adhered to a University-wide transportation plan, which included investment in bike paths and parking facilities, free bus passes for faculty and students, and working with the city to establish a residential parking zone program.
Williams said the University reorganized its entire parking program and severely reduced the number of overnight residence hall permits to ensure that more street parking is available.
Planning commissioners said a decision on the University’s proposed amendments will be made by Jan. 12. The matter will then go to the Eugene City Council, which will hear additional public comments on Feb. 23.