V -T_Z--- Is <br />Frannie Cross <br />2457 Nixon St <br />Eugene, OR 97403 <br />541-913-2624 <br />IS u} d Oakle gh Meadow Cohous~mg <br />October 8, 2013 <br />Eugene Hearings Official <br />C/o Becky Taylor, Associate Planner <br />99 W 10th Ave <br />Eugene, OR 97401 <br />Dear Sir: <br />My name is Frannie Cross. I live in south Eugene and am one of the member/developers of Oakleigh <br />Meadow Cohousing. I'm a single mom of a very social six year old, and daughter of one of the <br />elders in our group, RC Cross. I grew up in Eugene, left for a time, then returned here to this bike <br />friendly city to raise my child and be closer to my parents. I became involved early on in this project <br />for the obvious benefits living in a neighborly community could afford me and my daughter, but also <br />because of the strong evidence that this way of living is not only healthy for people, but also healthy <br />for the planet. <br />It's a challenge to maintain my present single-family home, with more space than I need in order to <br />store tools, lawnmower, outdoor gear, bike trailer, laundry facilities - all handy stuff, but stuff which <br />could easily be co-owned and shared with others. I have more yard than I need or can maintain. I do <br />my best to stay on top of it all while also working at my job and raising my daughter. Though I ride <br />my bike to work and elsewhere, I often access my childcare support system (which includes my <br />parents) by car, mainly to save time and because they live across town. Cohousing for me will mean <br />slimed resources, built-in plpy dates, childcare (and grandpa time!), a social network close to home, <br />not having to cook or drive so much, teamwork in gardening, and support, physically and financially, <br />with house maintenance. <br />I work as a registered nurse at Sacred Heart hospital downtown in an Acute Care for Elders unit. In <br />this position I too often see the unfortunate results of families separated geographically and the <br />challenge this presents when a family member needs support. Whether that need arises due to an <br />acute health concern or someone is simply slowing down with age, family is often unable to step in, <br />which inevitably leads to relocation of people out of their homes and into a care facility. The <br />Oakleigh Meadow Cohousing community by design will be in a good position to provide that support <br />for short and longer term needs of its members, an opportunity so rare in our society today. <br />I believe our cohousing community will be an asset to Eugene and to the greater River Rd area. I <br />hope you will approve our PUD and thus perhaps open the door to similar projects in this unique city. <br />Thank you. <br />Sincerely, <br />Frannie Cross <br />Oakleigh Meadow Cohousing member <br />946 <br />