LUBA RET. EXT 2014-001 VOL 3 of 3

• Gabriel Cross Sustainability Consultant with New Axiom, LLC 180 E. 28th Ave, Eugene OR 97405 (949)278-1810 gabe.cross@gmail.com To: Hearings Official with the Planning Department Re: PUD Application #PDT 13-0001 September 30, 2013 My name is Gabriel Cross, and I am sustainability consultant and adjunct instructor at Lane Community College's Energy Management Program. I live between Amazon Park and Willamette St. in south Eugene. I am writing today to express my support for the Oakleigh Meadow Cohousing (OMC) project. The CIVIC is the embodiment of the smart growth, concept, and is closely in line with the goals and values held by the City of Eugene and the Envision Eugene program. It represents an opportunity to densify areas within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), near existing infrastructure. This is essential to accommodate growth in the City's future without having to expand the UGB. It also represents a way to densify while maintaining a sense of ownership for the residents and community pride. I live in an area in which single family residents butt up against apartment complexes, and the difference in attitude and • community engagement between those who own property and those who rent is inevitable. By adopting the cohousing model, the neighborhood can get many of the benefits of increased density while avoiding some of the common pitfalls associated with it. There have been many successful cohousing projects around the world, and they -all share one common element: a community coming together to improve their assets and their lives. For this reason cohousing projects are usually responsible with their land and respectful of their neighbors, beautifully as well as functionally designed, and foster and strengthen the communities they inhabit. For all of these reasons, I strongly support the CIVIC project, and believe that the city of Eugene should as well. Sincerely, 66abriel Cross • 1101