cf, <br />Dear City of Eugene Planning Department, friends and neighbors: <br />I am writing to cast my vote to SAVE Oakleigh meadow and the Willamette River Greenway from the <br />land use modification (Eugene City Code 9.8) applied for by Oakleigh Meadow Cohousing (OMC). <br />Replacing the beautiful meadow and greenway with seven large condominiums, a large common house, <br />garage buildings and an 8 foot block wall on the undeveloped land east of Oakleigh Lane decreases the . <br />livability of our community and sets a precedent to further develop private land in the greenway open <br />spaces. The size, scale, location and impact of this proposed high-density development does not align <br />with or protect the character and livability of the established neighborhood. Developing dense, lower- <br />income housing negatively affects the market value of existing homes. Increasing traffic on the narrow, <br />neighborhood lanes creates an unsafe environment for pedestrians. For these reasons I urge you to <br />reject this proposal and preserve our neighborhood as the unique, cottage-style, single-family homes <br />valued by so many in our community. <br />Problem: OMC Condominiums in our neighborhood do not align with or protect the character and <br />livability of the established neighborhood and greenway. <br />Discussion: Condos do not make community, people do. For over SO years this neighborhood has been <br />inhabited by hardworking homeowners who respect the land and support the local community. I have <br />lived on McClure Lane for over 20 years and enjoy the peaceful, unique location along the river - it is a <br />rare, fragile environment worth preserving, like the eagles that nest in our neighborhood fir trees. High <br />density development on this site is contrary to our community's expressed and adopted values in <br />protecting the character and livability of established neighborhoods (see various Metro Plan residential <br />policies, e.g., A.13 and A.23). This development would sit directly on and in the greenway and does not <br />protect open space, especially natural storm water drainages and riparian areas. This is infill overkill! <br />Solution: Vote no and reject this land use modification proposal to change the zoning and protect the <br />character of the established neighborhood. <br />Problem: OMC Condominiums in our neighborhood negatively impact the market value of existing <br />homes. <br />Discussion: Our family has worked to improve the land and increase the value of our home with <br />structural improvements (Jerry's loves seeing me), gardens, (I should own stock in Down to Earth), <br />walkways and raised beds (you rock, Lane Forest Products!) and trees, (Decker's Nursery is fun, even in <br />the pouring rain). Recently I asked a real estate agent to appraise our home; he stated in clear and <br />certain terms that this development would negatively impact the value of the homes in our <br />neighborhood for years to come, making it difficult to recover our investment. This is sad, depressing <br />news indeed for homeowners struggling in tough economic times. <br />Solution: Vote no and reject this land use modification/rezoning proposal, support the value and protect <br />the livability of the established neighborhood. <br />Problem: OMC Condominiums in our neighborhood create an unsafe environment for pedestrians. <br />Discussion: The Webster's definition of "lane" is "a narrow road or path." Increased traffic at the scale <br />proposed by this project, whether by car or bike will negatively impact the neighborhood, rendering it <br />unsafe for current and future residents to travel on foot. By placing an additional 29 units (when only 20 <br />1137 <br />