Richard Weinman <br />55 W. 31st Avenue <br />Eugene, Or 97405 <br />richieweinman@gmail.com <br />541‐912‐1767 <br /> <br />June 8, 2015 <br /> <br />Comment: South Willamette Special Zone <br /> <br />I have reviewed the South Willamette Study and generally support the principles <br />and standards that are presented. I have specific concerns related to the proposal <br />around 30th and Portland Street. <br /> <br />I am not a NIMBY. My wife and I purchased our house in 1986. We live on W. 31st <br />between Portland and Olive. There is a lot of multi‐family housing existing around <br />us – on Crest, on Willamette and Cascade Manor, just north of us on 30th. I support <br />additional multi‐family housing on busier streets such as 29th and Willamette. <br /> <br />The proposal to change the zoning on 30th at the intersection with Portland Street to <br />high density has several issues that need to be addressed. First, the transition from <br />low density to high density is harsh. The three stories proposed along 30th are <br />actually 45’ – which is more like 4.5 stories. Three stories, with the first floor being <br />14 feet and then a pitched roof (that’s what is being built now next door) is a sharp <br />transition. About five years ago the residents of the South University neighborhood <br />successfully made a similar case along E. 19th. And, 19th Avenue is a much busier <br />street than 30th. While it is true that Cascade Manor is on 30th, that building is set <br />back from the street a considerable distance. Furthermore, the building generates a <br />small number of trips and most are at non‐peak hours. <br /> <br />Neither 30th nor Portland Street in that area is capable of handling high density <br />residential traffic. 30th is very much a quiet residential street. While it might be <br />true that Cascade Manor doesn’t generate as many trips as other types of multi‐ <br />family, there is no guarantee that the eventual builder will target a senior <br />population. <br /> <br />I live on W. 31st. At many times a day it is very hard to make a left turn on to <br />Willamette Street. So most drivers who come down 31st take Portland Street to 29th <br />and then take 29th to the Willamette intersection. Currently the construction of <br />Cascade Manor’s expansion is creating a lot of traffic issues because so many <br />construction workers park on the street. Two cars can’t pass at once. I can’t <br />imagine what would happen if there was ever a full build out of the high density <br />residential that is being proposed. I invite you to go over and look at it and you <br />clearly will see what I am referring to. <br />