HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/1997 Work Session
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MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1997
The City of Springfield Council met in Work Session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street,
Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, March 3, 1997, at 6:05 p.m., with Mayor Morrisette presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Morrisette, Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver. Also
present were City Manager Michael Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Tim
Harold, Administrative Aide Julie Wilson and members of the staff.
1. TransPlan Update Policy Maker's Decision Package
City Planner Mel Oberst presented the staff report on this item. Fourteen transportation strategies are
being proposed as the basis for developing a draft TransPlan. The strategies would be used to develop
draft policies, ordinances and state-required benchmarks. The draft plan would be developed during
the next four months and then presented to the Planning Commission and elected officials for review
and approval for release to the public
A joint Planning Commission public hearing was conducted on December 3, 1996 to review a
document prepared by staff summarizing the conclusion of the TransPlan update process to date. The
document provided a summary of transportation strategy recommendations proposed as the basis for
developing a draft TransPlan for public review. The Planning Commissions considered the
conclusions and recommendations at their next meeting and made recommendations to their
respective elected officials on the direction of the draft plan. A summary of subsequent Planning
Commission review is found in a memorandum from L-COG in the agenda packet. The Springfield
Planning Commission reviewed the document in a work session on January 28 and unanimously
recommended the 14 strategies to the City Council without change. The L TD Board reviewed the
strategies and made specific recommendations for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) found in the agenda
packet. The Eugene City Council and Lane County Board will review the issue later this month.
Tom Schwetz, L-COG, provided brief information about the attachments provided in the agenda
packet. Mr. Schwetz reviewed the TransPlan update process, framework and strategy
recommendations.
Peter Watt, L-COG, presented information about the land use strategy and answered questions from
council.
Mayor Morrisette hoped that Doug McCabe would be contacted before doing anything related to the
Mohawk Shopping Center since he was the property owner. He did not feel reconfiguration could be
mandatory. He also held a meeting about 18 months ago with Main Street property owners. He
stated a presentation was provided of what had been developed. Nine of the 15 attending were
interested in meeting again.
Councilor Beyer said that comments made by Mayor Morrisette were things brought up at the
beginning of the process. She felt the strategy was moderate compared to the beginning of the
process.
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Work Session Meeting
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Councilor Burge stated that if this was not mandatory, it would not happen.
Councilor Maine discussed allowing for individual differences. She expressed concern that with a
broad base metro-wide policy, it could remove or limit flexibility locally or for a specific site that has
been named, targeted or identified. She also had concern about future implementation. She hoped
flexibility was a word that could be built into achieving goals without being prescribed.
Councilor Beyer said staff had done a good job working between the jurisdictions.
Mr. Oberst said a commercial land study was currently under way and a citizen advisory committee
was working on this. He saw the commercial advisory committee as the body that made decisions
about the selected areas. Using their expertise ofthe commercial market in Springfield, they will
decide where in Springfield such a concept may apply. This was a strategy, not a policy. It will come
back to the council in the form of a policy with a flexibility for Springfield to apply its own unique
attributes to it based upon the selection of the site and the type of developments.
Councilor Burge discussed the Commercial Lands Study Group. He said the group was doing well
but after Greg Hyde left the city progress slowed. After a few months the group was reinitiated. He
said the last two meetings were canceled at the last minute. He expressed concern about this.
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Development Services Director Susan Daluddung said that due to Ballot Measure 47 two vacant
comprehensive planning positions will not be filled. She also said another comprehensive planner
position recently became vacant.
Councilor Shaver said there was one strategy that involved land use. He wondered if the Nodal
Development concepts would be more successful in Springfield if they were broken into separate
strategies. As an example he said high density residential abutting commercial zoned property would
serve the needs of the high density residential area. He said this was a land use strategy that did not
necessarily go into all the other strategies of the Nodal Development. He hesitated adopting
something that is global and can pose a problem in 10 years. He said a contract would be binding. He
expressed support for the concept.
Councilor Ballew asked what work load impact the Nodal Development land use strategy would have
on staff. She expressed concern about staff availability and work load. Ms. Daluddung said this was
a valid concern. She said L-COG would be able to assist up to a certain level.
Mr. Watt discussed the market demand analysis report. He explained it is good to take advantage of
opportunities as they arise. He also discussed mixed use and other transportation efficiency
opportunities.
Councilor Burge said it would be helpful to review examples of statewide Nodal Development use
and the acceptance in the market.
Mayor Morrisette discussed the future expansion of the Pioneer Parkway extension and the use of
Nodal Development. Mayor Morrisette requested a copy of the report be provided to council.
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Mr. Schwetz reviewed the transportation demand management strategy number two and three. He
explained that number three attempted to increase the use of parking available in ways such as
limiting and reducing the parking limit time.
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City Planner Mel Oberst discussed minimum parking standards.
Mayor Morrisette discussed parking needs in downtown Springfield.
Councilor Maine discussed fixed and limited parking requirements per living unit. She discussed
reduction and shifting of spaces. She also discussed the cost associated with parking enforcement.
Councilor Shaver asked if it would be expensive for LTD to initiate BRT. He said they should pay for
signalization updating, switching devices on patrol cars, right-of-way needs, and said this issue needs
to be resolved. He also said when bus stations are located, it would place stress on the streets. He
discussed base and concrete paving. He also said that if the bus station was moved there would be an
obligation for L TD to pick up the cost for paving and/or accommodate for the size of vehicles they
may purchase. He said language for funding should be included in the agreement.
Councilor Burge discussed L TD ridership.
Councilor Ballew discussed use of traffic lanes being dedicated to bus traffic and current minimum
lane needs for traffic flow.
Lisa Gardner of L TD, said L TD would propose an additional lane for bus use where appropriate and
necessary.
Councilor Maine discussed transportation demands and peak usage.
Councilor Maine would like information provided a few weeks in advance of scheduled discussion.
She said council needed more time to review the issues and a chance to ask questions of staff.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson
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,Mayor
Attest: