There might be a landscape-habitat hidden underneath, a Kalapuya landscape of Camas ovens and <br />seasonal structures, mortar and pestle, midden - who knows. This certainly should be addressed and <br />honored. <br />Another element is native seedlings such as Oregon White Oak, Oregon Grape, California Incense Cedar, <br />and many others. These seedlings reveal the original habitat. They contain a valuable genetic message <br />that we cannot afford to lose. They should be left alone - in particular the Oregon White Oak wherever <br />they exist, no matter how small they are, with an appropriate buffer, and then some, around them. Do not <br />try to transplant them. The others, if removed, should be immediately transplanted somewhere on site in <br />landscaping. <br />After doing this list, some interesting patterns were found. One of the most obvious is the rampant <br />overtaking by invasive exotic species such as Himalayan Blackberry, English Ivy, and other planted and <br />opportunistic plants that made themselves dominant plants, such as the imported grass species. <br />Another discovery was that the riparian forest, with a dominant canopy of California Black Cottonwood, <br />had a high diversity of native plants, in contrast to other zones. Even though filled with all kinds of <br />cultured and invasive species, it still is rich and beautiful. <br />The existence of such habitat-landscapes also informs zoning. Don't use the generic "R-1" density term. <br />Use instead a specific number, like four single dwellings per acre. There is a hierarchy we are not <br />addressing. Let me suggest it. In native-specie-rich zones, such as the riparian forest and adjacent, the <br />minimum level of density, maybe 2, 3, or 4 dwellings per acre, is appropriate and compelling. As you <br />move further from this zone, like a corridor 100 or 200 feet either side of busy commercial-residential <br />River Road, perhaps the density could bump up to 4 to 6 dwellings per acre, while still retaining the rural <br />agricultural charm of the area. Your maximum level of density in R-1 (14 dwellings per acre?) would be <br />appropriate in downtown Eugene, where there already is huge horizontal-vertical massing of dwelling <br />units. This is the hierarchy I am talking about that is revealed by a plant inventory, which did not exist <br />before I did it. <br />I appeal to you to do those other studies I am suggesting later in this set of documents. The right <br />development decision should be more apparent and compelling, to all, once the studies are done. <br />Sincerely, <br />ZA a,-- - <br />Mark Conley <br />626 <br />