Dear Hearings Official, <br />q~ Z, __V/1 `11L <br />I am writing in support of Oakleigh Meadow Cohousing Development as I am an active <br />member of the group. Yes, the land is on a small street in River Road area, and it will <br />impact the people who live in the homes along_ Oakleigh Lane. It is our hope, that after <br />the project is built, the neighbors will understand that our community of Oakleig'h <br />Meadow is committed to the same livability standards that they are trying to protect by <br />opposing our project. <br />I have lived in Eugene for 35 years and have been very aware of the growth of our city <br />and the continuing expansion of the Urban Boundary over this time. <br />I attended the early community forums that were conducted by the City Planning <br />Department on the new plan for growth that is entitled Envision -Eugene, and have <br />closely followed the progression of this proposal. <br />I agree with the principles that are going to guide the future growth of our city, and feel <br />that Oakleigh Meadow Cohousing is a model project in sustainability as we enter a new <br />paradigm for living with less reliance on fossil fuel, and more reliance on shared <br />resources, and compact urban growth. <br />I believe that pushing people to develop homes in areas where there is currently no <br />housing, and therefore no opposition to development, threatens our farm land and our <br />ability to continue to provide locally for our citizens. <br />Maintaining the notion that the single family home is the only model of housing that fits <br />into existing neighborhoods increases the demand for all natural resources. People <br />interested in cohousing include families with children who prefer "the village model" of <br />child rearing, as well as seniors who want the support of close neighbors for social <br />interaction and where they can playa valuable mentoring role. Our community will be <br />built to lessen energy costs with shared walls, shared garden space, shared tools, and a <br />shared value of living in a way that respects our natural resources including the . <br />Greenway. Our need for automobiles will also be lessened due to.the site's location <br />next to the city bike path system, and within one block of the city transit system. <br />Please consider our proposal as we feel our Planned Unit Development complies and <br />exceeds city code, and implements the larger goals of this community. <br />Maureen McCauley <br />1755 E. 23rd Ave. <br />Eugene <br />• <br />1126 <br />