0 <br />October 1 st, 2013 <br />Becky Taylor <br />Associate Planner <br />City of Eugene Planning Division. <br />Dear Ms Taylor and City Staff, <br />I've been a resident of the greater Eugene area since 1987 and have lived in many different places throughout <br />the area including the River Rd. area in the early 90s, .the University neighborhood, Crow and Springfield for <br />periods of time. I've recently returned to the River Rd. area and have resided there for the past 4 years. I am <br />veryfond of the River Rd. area for many reasons, among them the river the greenway, the bike path, the <br />general feel of close in country and of course the neighbors. Older housing stock, mixed demographic, and <br />large yards all add to the interesting mix and great potential for the future. I've biked the river loop hundreds of <br />times, and hiked-and kayaked it as well. The Green Way is a gem indeed. . <br />`Development' is a mixed bag., Of course there's positive aspects to high density developments -such as limiting <br />sprawl atop our valuable farm land and natural areas, reducing infrastructure costs, increasing viability of mass <br />transit and reducing vehicle miles travelled to name a few but there is also impact for the local area neighbors. I <br />believe most if not all of the `close neighbors' would be in favor of this type of development but when . <br />`development' hits close to home it can be uncomfortable and downright daunting. I'm sure all of them <br />appreciate being settled into what many of us consider a dream environment, a home in a low density <br />neighborhood on a dead end road on the river's edge, with bike path access. That's truly an enviable place to <br />call home. Then to have this potential change must feel unsettling. I can only wish that they can come to see <br />the broader perspective and realize that they are at the nexus of a broader social movement of `intentional' and <br />more sustainable living. In modem times many developments seem to at least appear to lack intention and fall <br />short of their occupants potential. Buildings are built and sold with little thought given to the cohesiveness of <br />the occupants and little effort is put forth to help bind these `micro communities' together. I'd like to hope that <br />the local established residents would consider being a part of it and `join the evolution' and realize that they <br />will, by and large, benefit from the proximity of such an intentional community to their property. There will <br />surely be deficits such as construction traffic and some associated noise, as well as more traffic on their street <br />from the greater number of inhabitants but I think they'll find that the positive attributes outweigh the negative. <br />Among other things, I believe there property values will increase giving them greater security and choice if they <br />were to decide to move (in time we all do) out of the area or even into OMC. <br />Change, in all its forms, is always challenging. I hope the established neighbors of the Oakleigh Meadows <br />neighborhood will choose to take on the challenge and aspire to see the positive benefits that will accrue to the <br />local community. I also hope the meeting will be a time for clarification and perhaps mediation and could be <br />followed by a `take two' if necessary. Ifor one look forward to seeing this type of development in close <br />proximity to our greenway. It is truly an inspiration! May there be many more. <br />Thanks'for your time and consideration. <br />Newt Loken <br />860 Elm Drive <br />Eugene, OR 97404 <br />541-543-3736c <br />1092 <br />