Eugene Planning Commission <br />July 9, 2019 <br />Page 9 <br /> <br />conducted seek to determine the geologic makeup of the soils, which is not contingent on the <br />weather conditions. It is that makeup that determines the characteristics when wet and dry <br />conditions are present. In any event, the 9 exploratory test pits conducted for the remand <br />proceedings were done on March 22,2019, definitely during the wet season. The results of those <br />latter test pits are consistent with the prior test pits and analysis. <br />Contrary to Neighbors’ assertions, the on-siteand off-site visual surveys were not <br />conducted during the dry season. Thefirst site reconnaissance was conducted on April 22 and <br />27, 2016. Another visual survey of the site and general area was conducted on May 30, 2017. <br />And following remand, a site reconnaissance of the site and the greater area was conducted on <br />March12, 2019, shortly after an unusually heavy snowfall on February 25, 2019. None of these <br />visual surveys wasdone in the dry season. <br />The Barn is simply an example of why proper foundations are necessary –it is not <br />indicative of landslide activity. <br />Several Neighbors contend that the barn on the subject property is evidence of active <br />gross landslideactivityon the property. The GeoSciences report is more judicious in its <br />terminology, using the term slope movement instead. <br />The Branch Engineering analysis submitted in March 20, 2018 discusses the issue of soil <br />creep –the downhill movement of near surface soil due to gravity, freeze/thaw and shrink/swell <br />effects. Significantly, Branch Engineering explains that soil creep is common on most hillsides, <br />does notindicate gross landslide movement, and is generally mitigated by modern foundation <br />systems through thecontrol of soil moisture and temperature under and around building <br />foundations. When properly constructed, soil creep around a residence is slowed to the point <br />that it is“unnoticeable over the typical lifespan of a residence.” <br />The photographic images of the barn provided by GeoScience are, at best, evidence of <br />normal soil creepover 50 or more years,and proof that, indeed, one needs proper foundations for <br />structures on steep slopes or else structuralbuildinginstability can occur. There is no evidence <br />that this barn has a properly engineered foundation;indeed, few barns have real. <br />This is why Branch Engineering recommended that site-specific geotechnical studies be <br />prepared for PEPI projects and dwellingsas well as providing specific development <br />recommendations for all sites. These are imposed through Condition of Approval 10. The barn <br />photographs are simply evidence that the condition is warranted. <br />Issues Not Within the Scope of Remand <br />Neighbors raised several issues on remand that have been resolved, are outsidethe scope <br />of the remand proceeding or beyond the authority of the Planning Commission to grant. The <br />Planning Commission should identify these issues in the findings and not address their merits. <br />These issues are provided below in bullet-point form: <br />9 <br />