9/17/2018 University of Oregon officials push for city approval of north campus plan, while residents push back- News -The Register-Guard -Eugene, OR <br />the AegiSterAw0)uarA <br />University of Oregon officials push for city <br />approval of north campus plan, while residents <br />push back <br />By Elon Glucklich <br />Posted Sep 13, 2018 at 1:01 PM <br />Updated Sep 13, 2018 at 6:38 PM <br />The University of Oregon could find out by November if its expansive and <br />controversial north campus development plan can move forward. <br />But UO officials making their case for approval at a Wednesday evening <br />public hearing got a frosty response from community members, many of <br />whom accused the university of advancing its plan in secret and risking <br />environmental harm to more than 5,000 feet of Willamette riverfront <br />property. <br />A Eugene hearings official who oversaw the public hearing will have the final <br />say, likely by Nov. 1. But the battle over the north campus project could go on <br />far longer if the UO or opponents appeal whatever decision the hearings <br />official makes. <br />"We want to connect to the Willamette River," said Michael Harwood, UO <br />associate vice president for campus planning. "This application will allow us to <br />make those connections and restore the river's edge for teaching and research <br />opportunities." <br />At issue is the UO's conditional use permit application filed with the city of <br />Eugene in February. The permit would give the UO flexibility in the future <br />to develop up to 77 acres on the north side of Franklin Boulevard, land <br />currently occupied by several university buildings and sports fields extending <br />nearly to the Autzen Footbridge and riverfront. The conditional use permit <br />would last for 30 years and require the UO to comply with city code as it <br />develops the area. But it wouldn't cement any specific building plans. Those <br />would have to be detailed in future building permit applications. <br />https://www.registerguard.com/news/20180913/uniwrsity-of-oegon-officials-push-for-city-approval-of-north-campus-plan-while-residents- push- back 1/3 <br />