June 18, 2019 <br />Testimony during First Open Record Period for LUBA Remand of Capital Hill PUD (PDT 17-001) <br />I will begin by stating that I have read the June 17, 2019 Technical Review prepared by Mr. Gunnar <br />Schlieder, Ph.D., CEG of GeoScience, Inc. and I concur with all of his comments and conclusions. <br />That report was submitted for the record this afternoon. I have also read the June 17, 2019 testimony <br />submitted yesterday by Rebecca J. Dorsey, Ph.D. Department of Earth Sciences, University of <br />Oregon and also concur with her comments and conclusions. <br />EC 9.8320 (6) states as follows: <br />soil erosion, slope failure, storm water or flood hazard, or an impediment to emergency <br /> <br />The Planning Division, which does not have professional expertise in geotechnical engineering, has <br />the Eugene Planning Commission seems to have considered this just a technical matter not worthy of <br />additional research and just a simple choice between two professionals with opposing viewpoints. <br />This is a very narrow and overly simplistic position given the known geological hazards of the site in <br />question. At what point does the City step up and conduct research that is more than what appears to <br />be the results of a coin toss? And a not-so-neutral coin toss at that see comments in the Letter to <br />the Editor below. <br />Note: The Neighborhood Response Committee is aware that, in another pending case before the <br />facilitate the decision making process. Why is the rare <br />We know that at least one-third of the site, the entire east slope above the Ribbon Trail and Laurel <br />Hill Valley, is too steep for construction, according to city code. In addition, a large portion of this <br />slope is mapped by the state as a high landslide hazard zone. Given this basic data, hopefully, this <br />time around the Planning Commission will weigh more than one professional opinion in making <br />their decision. Cogent additional testimony and argument has been provided by GeoScience, Inc., a <br />well-known and highly regarded local expert in geological issues and by Rebecca Dorsey, Ph.D. <br />Department of Earth Sciences. Planning Commission Please take time to carefully, thoroughly and <br />impartially consider this new testimony. <br />High landslide hazard zones are mapped by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral <br />Industries (DOGAMI). In their 2018 landslide and risk study, DOGAMI listed the steep eastern <br />slope of the development, toward the Laurel Hill Valley neighborhood, as one of the most hazardous <br />landslide sites in the entire Eugene/Springfield area. The proposed development for roads, <br />infrastructure, and housing would increase stormwater runoff and negatively impact erosion, soil <br />stability, and landslide risk. <br />Further, we know that residential properties at the bottom of the slope on the east side of the site (on <br />Floral Hill Road) already display characteristics of structures built on land that is unstable. During a <br />heavy rain or snowmelt season, the bottom of the easement in <br />