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 hearing is a required part of the city's planning process before a final land <br />use decision is made. <br />Several dozen residents upset by the UO's push to develop the area took issue <br />with the 30-year timeline that the UO wants for building out its north <br />campus plan and with its plan to replace natural grass recreational sports fields <br />close to the riverfront with artificial turf. <br />Many also accused the UO of rushing to get city approval before most faculty <br />and students return for the coming school year. <br />"Why is this hearing being held two weeks before students and faculty return <br />to campus?" recent UO graduate Selena Blick asked Wednesday evening. <br />"Even a perfect plan for today's riverfront likely won't be perfect in 30 years <br />due changes to the university, our ecological system and even climate." <br />Concerned residents for months have protested the UO's inclusion of the <br />northern 42 acres of the site, between the Willamette River and Union <br />Pacific railroad tracks, in the conditional use permit. Many opponents say <br />artificial turf fields could leech harmful materials into the river and harm <br />wildlife habitat along the riverbank. <br />UO officials say they've carefully studied the issue and plan to create a 200- <br />foot buffer area between the river and any development, including the turf <br />fields. <br />The Willamette River and its associated bank are key habitat for vegetation <br />and wildlife, and must be preserved accordingly," UO officials wrote to the <br />city last month. "The proposal seeks to incorporate as much conservation area <br />and open space as practicable, and support existing wildlife and vegetation <br />habitat along the river through targeted development and restoration and <br />enhancement recommendations." <br />But residents at the hearing urged the hearings official to force the UO to split <br />its plan into two phases. A second phase that includes construction of new <br />academic and research buildings should come only after the university <br />commits to a full restoration of the riverfront, said Allen Hancock, a Eugene <br />resident who has long battled the UO over issues relating to the riverfront. <br />https://www.registerguard.com/news/20180913/uniwrsity-of-oegon-officials-push-for-city-approval-of-north-campus-plan-while-residents- push- back 2/3 <br />