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UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
<br />NORTH CAMPUS
<br />CONDITIONAL USE & WILLAMETTE GREENWAY PERMIT APPLICATION
<br />By enabling realignment of the bike path, undertaking riparian restoration as feasible, and
<br />providing more safe and clear means of access to the river, the proposal ultimately seeks to
<br />improve the natural and scenic qualities of the river, and respect the environmental quality of the
<br />site. Based on these findings, the proposal is consistent with Policy D.5.
<br />D.6. New industrial development that locates along the Willamette and
<br />McKenzie Rivers shall enhance natural, scenic, and environmental
<br />qualities.
<br />The proposal does not include new industrial development, and such development is not
<br />anticipated. Therefore, Policy D.6. is addressed to the greatest extent practicable.
<br />D.8. Within the framework of mandatory statewide planning goals, local
<br />Willamette River Greenway plans shall allow a variety of means for
<br />public enjoyment of the river, including public acquisition areas,
<br />residential areas, and commercial areas.
<br />D.9. Local and state governments shall continue to provide adequate public
<br />access to the Willamette River Greenway.
<br />Through extensive public involvement feedback, the proposal seeks to enhance the publicÈs
<br />physical access to the river by addressing several key goals: improving the ecological quality of
<br />the site, increasing public safety, improving ease of access to the river through provision of public
<br />facilities (bike path, a personal paddle craft launch, swimming docks, soft trails, viewpoints, etc.),
<br />and expand scenic views. The Willamette Greenway Criteria (EC 9.8815) findings, presented in
<br />Section 5.2, detail all of the ways in which this proposal provides for public enjoyment of the river.
<br />The proposal provides a variety of site components, such as a realigned multi-modal path along
<br />the river, designated pathways with benches to improve pedestrian access to the river bank, and
<br />river access for boats, swimmers, and fishing.
<br />The subject site is also entirely within the city limits. The Applicant owns all parcels within the
<br />subject site. Existing public access along the Willamette River is provided by the Ruth Bascom
<br />Riverbank Path, a paved multi-use path that extends through the subject site. As noted, the
<br />proposal includes two options for realigning the bike path, which runs east-west through the
<br />subject site. The proposal provides options for locating the path along the river, spanning the
<br />Millrace Slough, extending under Frohnmayer Bridge, and enabling a future east extension; or,
<br />along the northern extents of the proposed development sites, utilizing the existing crossing over
<br />the Millrace Slough, and connecting to Riverfront Parkway, Millrace Drive, and Garden Avenue.
<br />Either option provides for improved public access to the riverfront, and enhanced outdoor
<br />recreation opportunities. As illustrated on Sheets L01 and L03 Regulatory Plan and Pedestrian
<br />and Bicycle Primary Circulation Plan (Exhibit A), the proposal connects the bike path throughout
<br />the site, while providing for a consistent multi-use path that provides ample landscape and open
<br />space between the path and the river. Per EC 9.3710 S-RP Riverfront Park Special Area Zone
<br />Permitted Uses, this development site is designated for Åprograms and activities carried out by
<br />institutions of the Oregon State System of Higher Education.Æ As such, the universityÈs status as a
<br />public institution ensures the continued provision of public access along the Willamette River.
<br />Overall, the proposal ensures the continued provision of adequate public access along the river.
<br />Based on these findings, the proposal is consistent with Policies D.8 and D.9.
<br />Cameron McCarthy FINAL SUBMITTAL | June 22, 2018 61
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