HE-18 John Fenn & Lisa Gilman.txt <br />the current development plan of 28 units spread across 7 residential buildings (more <br />with a common house and sheds) and the attendant parking/infrastructure scale is <br />inconsistent with the dominant character and flow of the existing housing on the <br />street. More than doubling the number of residents on a street as narrow as Oakleigh <br />Lane presents a serious challenge to "sustaining" the community, and is worthy of <br />more in-depth and collaborative discussion with the neighbors already living here <br />than the OMC has pursued. Furthermore, the physical size of the OMC units moves well <br />beyond the average size of housing on Oakleigh (as well as McClure), which <br />counteracts aspects of the 2009 Lower River Road Concept Plan (acknowledged by the <br />Planning Commission). In particular, the LRRCP advocates for “single-family” housing <br />to be closer to the river, while “higher density” development and larger structures <br />are to be closer to River Road. Additionally, the LRRCP identifies a target of 8-12 <br />units/acre in lower density areas (even those zoned as R-1) in order to provide <br />continuity with the existing housing flow. From our perspective, the proposed OMC <br />development, consisting of large multi-unit buildings and a significant “common <br />house” skews the average size and footprint of buildings on Oakleigh and McClure and <br />is neither incompatible nor harmonious with adjacent and nearby structures. <br />Incompatibility can also be seen with regards to relative values of property <br />and houses, based on the proposed prices offered by OMC. Currently available <br />estimates put the average value of a house on Oakleigh at $177,028, with average <br />value on McClure being $208,774. The lowest priced unit in OMC is over $200,000 <br />(2br/1bth) while the highest price is upwards of $350,000 (4br/3bth). This range is <br />well beyond the housing values on the two adjacent streets, presenting an economic <br />incompatibility that further disrupts the character of the neighborhood. <br />Finally, the significant size of the OMC proposed unit development pushes <br />both Oakleigh and McClure toward needing “improvement” as far as street <br />infrastructure (sidewalks, etc); current residents are all quite happy with the <br />“county lane” nature and would like to see the streets stay that way for the <br />foreseeable future. We certainly recognize, of course, that such improvement <br />strategies are in large part at the city’s discretion, but without the OMC <br />development, our streets are unlikely to need attention for some time. <br />In addition to our own concerns (listed above) with the PUD, we concur with <br />the issues raised by our neighbors on Oakleigh and McClure in public comment to the <br />City of Eugene Planning division (specifically documents compiled by Bryn Thoms and <br />Lauren Regan). We are also worried about impact on the Williamette Greenway that <br />this development would have, especially when it comes to disrupting soil ecology, <br />local flora and fauna, and setting a precedent for dense high-impact building in the <br />Greenway. Voicing our concerns does not mean we are opposed to the idea or choice of <br />"co-housing" as an approach to development in the area, and, in many ways, we <br />welcome the perspectives and ideas about sustainability and community that drive the <br />OMC group. However, we want to be assured that they move forward responsibly in <br />alignment with the existing character of the neighborhood and with proper adherence <br />to all relevant codes and protections. <br />Sincerely, <br />John Fenn and Lisa Gilman <br />------- <br />Page 2 <br />