pk-l <br />JANISCH Amy <br />From: TAYLOR Becky G <br />Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 9:41 AM <br />To: JANISCH Amy C <br />Subject: FW: Oakleigh Meadows Support <br />Follow Up Flag: Follow up <br />Flag Status: Flagged <br />Please add to PDT 13-1 record and IP list. <br />Becky Taylor, Associate Planner <br />City of Eugene Planning <br />99 West 10'h Avenue <br />Eugene, OR 97401 <br />541-682-5437 <br />From: Shane MacRhodes [mailto:shanerh@mac.com] <br />Sent: Monday, September 23, 2013 1:47 PM <br />To: TAYLOR Becky G <br />Subject: Oakleigh Meadows Support <br />Dear City of Eugene Planning Department, <br />I am writing in support of the Oakleigh Meadows Cohousing application. As an active community member <br />workingto increase active transportation and improve Eugene's sustainability and livability I believe this <br />project would be a great asset to the community. As a third generation Eugenian and a father raising three of the <br />next generation I have seen Eugene change over the decades and have worked and advocated for a Eugene that <br />will be an even better place for my kids to grow up. Oakleigh Meadows Cohousing so peaked my families <br />interest that we had discussed becoming a part of the project but currently have no ties or connections beyond <br />attending a couple open house events to find out more information about the project. We were excited about <br />the sustainable aspects of the project, especially the ability to access the wonderful river path system, the local <br />neighborhood school (River Road), and the resources that surround this area of the River Road <br />neighborhood. Creating a higher density housing development is in line with plans such as Envision Eugene <br />and creating a cluster of homes that is focused on building community is the exact type of development that <br />should be encouraged throughout our city. I believe building near the river path is actually an asset to that <br />section of the path. As someone who has led hundreds of students from Kelly Middle School along the West <br />Bank path as part of our SRTS Bike Safety Education program I believe that having a development that is <br />focused on community will help to improve the feeling of safety and comfort along the path. I was impressed <br />with the work the community had already done to clear out the invasive species that were choking out a filbert <br />orchard next to their property. By adopting and cleaning up this area they not only cleaned out invasive species <br />and garbage but they created a more open, inviting, and safe feeling space along the path. <br />As someone who has lived in a housing cooperative similar to cohousing I know the amount of work that goes <br />into building community and I know that the people who buy into cohousing are dedicated individuals who, <br />want to improve their neighborhood and city. I am confident that the people in homes surrounding the <br />development could not find better neighbors. As a dad who encourages his kids to "play in the street" I also <br />understand the fear of more traffic on a neighborhood street. Yet, I truly believe that Oakleigh Meadows <br />Cohousing would actually be better than leaving the land vacant and certainly better than having it developed in <br />1224 <br />