Referrals/Public Notice <br />On July 10, 2015, staff provided information concerning the application to other appropriate <br />City departments, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), public agencies, and the <br />affected neighborhood group (Laurel Hill Valley Citizens). <br />Staff mailed notice of the proposed zone change to the Oregon Department of Land <br />Conservation and Development (DLCD) on July 13, 2015. On July 24, 2015, staff also mailed <br />public notice of the proposed zone change and the hearing date to owners and occupants <br />within 500 feet of the subject property. <br />Written public testimony was received from Ron Crasilneck, an officer of the Spring Terrace <br />Homeowners Association. He stated that he would like to be added to the mailing list for the <br />project. <br />Eugene resident Susan Ferris provided comment regarding the potential loss of "wild and open <br />spaces" in Eugene. Ms. Ferris is opposed to the proposed zone change because it could allow <br />for future development that would impact wildlife and the trail system. She also believes that <br />Eugene should have a park that resembles "Forest Park" in Portland, OR. <br />Gunnar Schlieder, a representative for the Laurel Hill Valley Citizens (LHVC) group, has provided <br />extensive testimony regarding errors in the methodology used by the applicant to determine <br />the extent of POS designation (see Attachment C). LHVC believe that as many as 40 acres of <br />land should be zoned PRO as opposed to the 20 acres proposed by the applicant. Mr. <br />Schlieder's comments are addressed in the evaluation below to the extent they are relevant to <br />the evaluation criteria. <br />No other public testimony or written comments were received. <br />Zone Change Evaluation <br />EC 9.7330 and EC 9.8865 require the Hearings Official to review an application for a zone <br />change and consider pertinent evidence and testimony as to whether the proposed change is <br />consistent with the criteria required for approval, shown below in bold typeface. Staff's <br />findings in response each of the criteria are provided below, to assist the Hearings Official in <br />making a decision on the zone change request. <br />EC 9.8865(1): The proposed zone change is consistent with applicable provisions of <br />the Metro Plan. The written text of the Metro Plan shall take precedence over the <br />Metro Plan diagram where apparent conflicts or inconsistencies exist. <br />As the criterion above states, the applicant's burden in this case is to demonstrate that their <br />zone change proposal is consistent with the Metro Plan diagram. As the Hearings Official is <br />aware, the Metro Plan diagram, in many cases, provides an imprecise representation of plan <br />designation locations. That is the case here. Based on the past zone change application for this <br />site, it is clear that the Parks and Open Space (POS) designation exists on a portion of this site. <br />The question before the Hearings Official is whether the applicant has provided reliable, <br />relevant and credible evidence that supports their proposed zoning configuration. <br />Laurel Ridge (Z 15-5) August 2015 HO Agenda - Page 1 <br />Laurel Ridge Record (Z 15-5) <br />Page 763 <br />