HomeMy WebLinkAbout1st Open Record Period: Public Testimony (3-7-18 to 3-19-18)GIOELLO Nick R
From: Deborah Skell <deborahskella@icloud.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2018 10:58 AM
To: GIOELLO Nick R
Subject: PUD
Typical sight, 2PM, you can't see the oncoming SUV... 5- way stop
Add if it makes sense, please.
Deborah
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Deborah Skell, GCFP
GIOELLO Nick R
From:
GIOELLO Nick R
Sent:
Friday, March 16, 2018 8:35 AM
To:
'Deborah Skell'
Subject:
RE: PUD
Hi Deborah,
Received and entered into the record.
Thanks,
Nhe4 G
Nicholas R. Gioello, M. Adm.
Associate Planner ( Planning Division
City of Eugene
Planning & Development
99 West 1011' Avenue
Eugene Oregon 97401
p 541 .682.5453
f 541.6£32.5572
iiici<.r.gioellot~>ci.eugene.or.us
-----Original Message-----
From: Deborah Skell [mailto:deborahskella@icloud.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2018 4:39 PM
To: GIOELLO Nick R <Nick.R.Gioello@ci.eugene.or.us>
Subject: PUD
Dear Mr. Gioello,
Since the public hearing, on the 7th of April, I have driven, multiple times a day, up and down Spring Boulevard. Without
exception, not once during daylight hours, was it without cars and trucks parked in the street, resulting in route
obstruction. This reality would prevent the passage of emergency vehicles. It underscores the concerns expressed in my
last letter to you. Permitting this proposed development is authorization of nothing short of mayhem, it is not if, but,
when and how bad!
Please don't let this happen.
Deborah Skell
(PS) I would appreciate it if you would confirm receipt of, and, adding it to the record.
Deborah
Sent from my iPhone
Deborah Skell, GCFP
GIOELLO Nick R
From: Chris Ogle <ogle.chris@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 5:42 PM
To: GIOELLO Nick R
Subject: Capital Drive PUD comment
Hi Nick,
I want to comment regarding the proposed Capital Drive PUD. I live at 2505 Capital Drive and have for close
to twenty years. No doubt that the street signs have it right "It's not safe." That is the best but not the only valid
objection. In any case I know from long experience that all of the access roads are throttled when it comes to
passing traffic. There is no access up the hill, other than 27th as far as Spring, where two passing cars and a
pedestrian can safely be on the road. There are no sidewalks in many areas and particularly on the primary
access, Spring and Capital Drive from Fairmont to the top of Capital, no easy way for a pedestrian to step off
the street or out of the way. There are many blind corners also. I fear for pedestrians who walk on the blind
side of curves and often only luck and low volume gets them safe passage.
When I first moved here I thought this is a recipe for many accidents. I've been surprised but I have come to
realize that many accidents are avoided only because many drivers here are long experienced with the roads and
exercise the abundance of caution that compensates for those who drive unaware, not an insubstantial
number. And, the moderate volume of traffic mitigates the danger. Never-the-less I have been hit in my car on
two occasions on Spring, and I am an experienced driver on these streets who is very cautious. On one occasion
my car was totaled.
Sincerely,
Christopher M. Ogle
GIOELLO Nick R
From: Tiffany Edwards <tiffanye@eugenechamber.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 1:52 PM
To: GIOELLO Nick R
Subject: Official submission of testimony for Capital Hill
Attachments: Capital Hill Testiomony 3.7.18.docx
Attention Virginia Gustafson-Lucker,
Please see attached testimony to be entered into the official record for the Capital Hill (Eugene) project on behalf of the
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.
Kind regards,
Tiffany
Tiffany Edwards
Director of Business Advocacy
(541) 242-2352 w
(541) 678-3370 m
Website I Facebook I Twitter
Eugene Area
Chcal p
1401 Willamette Street I Eugene, OR 97401
1
GIOELLO Nick R
From: Tiffany Edwards <tiffanye@eugenechamber.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 1:48 PM
To: GIOELLO Nick R
Subject: Request to rescind testimony
Attention Virginia Gustafson Lucker,
I would like to make a request to withdraw testimony that was submitted on 3/7/18 on behalf of the Eugene Area
Chamber of Commerce, in regards to the Capitol Hill Project. Testimony in the form of a letter was inadvertently
submitted by email that included a series of forwarded emails unrelated to the statements that the Chamber CEO,
Brittany Quick-Warner, had intended to submit.
If you could please notify me of your decision, I would greatly appreciate it. I will be resubmitting just the letter for your
consideration, as official testimony from the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.
Thank you for your consideration,
Tiffs ny
Tiffany Edwards
Director of Business Advocacy
(541) 242-2352 w
(541) 678-3370 m
Website I Facebook I Twitter
Eugene Area
Chamberof
y coo, r a r c'4
1401 Willamette Street I Eugene, OR 97401
March 7, 2018
Virginia Gustafson-Lucker, Eugene Hearing Official
c/o Nick Gioello, Associate Planner
Planning Division Eugene Area
Chamberof
City of Eugene Commerce
99 West 10th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
RE: Capital Hill PUD (PDT 17-1)
Dear Ms. Gustafson-Lucker:
The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce believes that a healthy business environment is essential to the
livability of Eugene residents and businesses. The City of Eugene is home to several large employers, including
PeaceHealth and the University of Oregon, and has a vibrant small business community. With a fast-growing
technology sector and the addition of the University of Oregon Knight Science Campus, these employers are
recruiting individuals and their families to move to our community, as well as providing greaterjob
opportunities for community members who already live here.
However, our housing market makes it difficult for these businesses to retain talented employees. We have one
of the most constrained markets in the country - only Seattle is worse. Those interested in working here often
struggle to find housing priced at levels that they can afford. As a result, they are forced to choose between
housing that may be too expensive, living far from where they work, or simply accepting a job elsewhere
because they are unable to find a place to live.
We need more housing. Not somewhere else or tomorrow. We need it today, here and now. We need single
family housing provided through projects like the Capital Hill PUD. We also need missing middle housing,
secondary dwelling units, riverfront and downtown development, and.apartments. We do not have enough
housing, let alone enough types of housing, to sustain our diverse workforce. Providing a greater supply of
housing will relieve our tight housing market and lower overall prices, as well as provide more opportunities for
employees at different stages of their careers. This includes employees starting families and in need of a single-
family home or emerging professionals who are looking to live in a secondary dwelling unit or apartment.
The proposed Capital Hill PUD provides more opportunities for single family housing and will positively
contribute to our community. It will also provide over thirty new places for people to live, which will help relieve
our tight housing market. We urge you to approve this application and support housing in our community.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Brittany Quick-Warner
President and CEO, Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
1401 Willamette Street P.O. Box 1107 Eugene, OR 97440-1107 Tel: 541.484.1314 Fax: 541.484.4942 eugenechamber.com
GIOELLO Nick R
From: Deborah Skell <deborahskella@icloud.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 2:59 PM
To: GIOELLO Nick R
Subject: Capital Hill PUD
Dear Mr Gioello,
As you are aware there is passionate opposition to the Capital Hill PUD on
many points. One being the gross inaccuracies in the geotechnical `field
testing' results, where sandstone became igneous rock, nothing short of a
`miracle,' and, factually inaccurate.
Setting all of that aside, how can the Planning Department consider approval
of the project when there is absolutely no remedy for the width of Spring
Street. That 18 -foot-fact creates a physical bottle neck that cannot be remedied
other than by condemning property and bulldozing homes to widen the the
road.
Please stand away from this death trap of a plan. No sprinkler system, or, five
foot side walks along the proposed loop will right the harm proposed here.
There is gross negligence reflected in this proposed project. The pro-ported
rights of two individuals weighed in the balance against the irreparable harm to
wildlife, neighbors, and enviromnent.
In closing there are grave safety issues involved for over 95 homes who have
no alternative to traveling through the 5 way stop in order to leave the hill,
including mine. None of the 5-way stop roads have sidewalks or parking. All
are all under 18 feet wide.
This subdivision should not be approved.
Sincerely,
Deborah Skell
2400 Malabar Drive
Sent from my Whone
Deborah Skell, GCFP
GIOELLO Nick R
From: Betsy Schultz <betsy@pnwstrategies.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2018 9:28 AM
To: GIOELLO Nick R
Subject: Testimony on the Capitol Hill Project
Attachments: Capitol Hill Itr.pdf
Hi Nick,
Attached is a letter from my clients, the Eugene Association of Realtors regarding the Capitol Hill project.
Thanks so much!
Betsy
Betsy Schultz
Government Affairs I Consulting
PNW Strategies
541.520.7997 1 betsy(a)pnwstrategies.com
Mr. Nick Gioello
Hearings Official, Ms. Ginny Gustafson-Lucker
March 9, 2018
Re: Comments on the Proposed Capitol Hill Project
Dear Ms. Gustafson-Lucker and Mr. Gioello;
As an association, the Eugene Realtors hesitate to weigh in on pros and cons of specific housing
developments in our community. I am writing to you now however, because our community is
facing a serious crisis of housing choice and affordability.
Just last year, the City Council passed an ordinance adopting our Urban Growth Boundary as it
sits right now, assuring citizens and the state that Eugene has enough available land within the
UGB to support the community's needs for the next 20 years. For this to be a valid position,
residents need to be able to build on properly zoned parcels within the UGB.
Ensuring that everyone has access to housing that is affordable is a priority for our association,
and increasing the number of dwelling units within the UGB is one piece of solving this crisis of
affordability.
For this reason, the Eugene Association of Realtors@ supports the thoughtful development of
land that is properly zoned within our Urban Growth Boundary.
Sincerely,
/s/
Isaac Judd
2018 President
GIOELLO Nick R
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Nick Gioello, Associate Planner
Keli Yerian <yerian@uoregon.edu>
Monday, March 12, 2018 5:29 PM
GIOELLO Nick R
Robert Elliott; David and Catherine Johnson
Capital Hill PUD (PDT 17 - 01)
City of Eugene Planning and Development,
99 West 10th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401
Dear Mr. Gioello,
I am writing to add our neighborhood voices to the many who have urged the city to reject the current PUD proposal on
Capitol Hill. I would like my letter to be entered into the record and that receipt be confirmed.
My husband and I live on 2410 Spring Blvd. We have two children who walk or bike to school each day (usually around
8:30am and coming home between 3:30 and 5pm depending on afterschool activities).
Our main concern is safety with the increased traffic. We are already nervous currently as it is with current traffic, but with
30% more traffic we will want to find other ways for them to come home. Without buses on the hill and a two-parent
working family, this is not easy and it is simply not neighborhood friendly if our streets do not have safe ways for children
to come home.
I'd like to share this clip with you that my son filmed last year as I biked up the first blind curve on Spring Blvd below our
house. Note that the delivery truck coming up behind me is fully on the wrong side of the street as it passed me going into
the blind curve. We were lucky that no other car was coming the other way. The Subaru that followed also probably had a
limited view. This is a very common occurrence on Spring.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/OB7v4zT9QRyWIaXFkQOJsS01 OTmc/view?usp=sharing
1 also have had the experience several times on that same curve of hearing a car come up behind me to pass blindly
while another car was approaching down the hill unbeknownst to them, and having to wave to the cars to warn them of
the danger and slow down or stop until they could see each other. I cannot rely on my sons or any children to be so
proactive as I can be.
Thank you for your attention,
Keli Yerian and Robert Elliott
2410 Spring Blvd. Eugene OR 97403
GIOELLO Nick R
From: Hugh Paterson III <sil.linguist@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2018 4:16 PM
To: GIOELLO Nick R
Subject: Capital Hill PUD Testimony
Nick,
I hope it is not too late to add something to to official record for the testimony on the capital hill PUD hearing.
1 gave oral testimony about the relevance of OR SB 1051.
In essence I said that I do not see that the current plan actually took into account the additional and state
mandated changes to the Eugene City Code.
In thoughtful reflection I thought it might be clearer if I mailed my concerns.
SB 1051 requires significant adjustment to the Eugene City land use code, and must be implemented by July 1
2018. For a very thorough brief of what sections of Eugene City Code need to be updated I refer you to Bill
Kloos's memo.to the Eugene planning commission for the march 6th meeting (pg. 21-39). https://www.eufzene-
or.gov/AgendaCenter/Vie,,,vFile/Agenda/ 03062018-869
Section 6 of SB 1051 requires that every place where a house can be built on Rl, must allow for a second UN-
attached ADU. This means that every parcel on Capital hill can essentially have a duplex on it, and some lots
can have more... that may not be the kind of buildings that the PUD planers anticipate buyers are going to build,
but it is important as we consider what the true population density of the area under consideration is and then
the applicability of the commissioned safety analysis, and utility requirements.
What I am saying is that Eugene city code can not legally stop ADUs from being build on these lots, as Zoned
R-1, and therefore the possible housing density - even with a reduced lot count from what is allowable under R-
1 is not accurately reported in the PUD proposal, nor is it reflected in the safety and traffic analysis, nor water
consumption/waste water estimations.
It is my hope that the city perform due diligence in actually considering the proposal under the required changes
pursuant to SB 1051.
I want a better Eugene for today and tomorrow. I would hate for our children to bear a tax burden for in
adequate/inappropriate planning now.
all the best,
Thank you for your service to our community
- Hugh Paterson III
p,
Gregory G. Foote
Senior Judge
State of Oregon
Virginia Gustafson-Lucker, Eugene Hearing Officer
City, of Eugene
99 West 10" Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
RE: Capital Hill PUD
March 9, 2018
Dear Ms. Gustafson-Lucker:
2930 Capital Drive
Eugene, OR 97403
(541) 485-6259
,Received
MAR 12 2018
City of Eugene
Planning Division
I have lived on Capital Drive, directly across from the "pink house" owned by Tom and Cynthia
Dreyer for nearly 30 years, and have closely followed the progress of their proposed PUD. T have
not stated a public position on this issue and do not intend to do so. I do, however, wish to
express displeasure at what I see as the demonization of the Dreyers, whom I know to be good
neighbors.
I have always assumed that the Dreyer property (formerly owned by the late Charmian Byers-
Jones) would someday be developed, and was pleased to learn that it would be my neighbors
who did so, rather than some disinterested out-of-town developer. I believe Tom and Cindy have
listened to city planning staff, landscape experts, traffic engineers, and, most importantly, their
neighbors, in an effort to take into consideration their input for the project, which is now the
result of many compromises and changes. They have been nothing but open-minded and
approachable, and do not deserve the personal attacks I have seen coming from some who
oppose the project.
Tom Dreyer has made an exhaustive study of the sociological ramifications of land use planning,
and has an admittedly idealistic vision for this PUD. Rather than people living in isolated
McMansions, he wants a vibrant neighborhood of families who know each other, look out for
each other's kids, and watch each other's houses when they are away. He wants kids trick-or-
treating and selling Girl Scout cookies and riding their bikes, and a mix of young and old.
Reasonable minds can differ (and I hope respectfully) as to whether this ambitious vision is
realistic or can be reflected in this PUD. But I suggest that it is not that of an unscrupulous
developer, but rather someone who earnestly desires the best for his neighborhood.
Sincer ,
Gregory Foote
GIOELLO Nick R
From:
Paul Conte <paul.t.conte@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, March 08, 2018 3:44 PM
To:
GIOELLO Nick R
Subject:
Testimony re PDT 17-1 (Capital Hill PUD)
Attachments:
ResponseToGillespie08Mar2Ol8.pdf
Please acknowledge receipt of the attached document and include in the record for PDT 17-1
(Capital Hill PUD).
Paul Conte
1461 W. 10th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97402
Accredited Earth Advantage
Sustainable Homes Professional
i
March 8, 2018 MAR 0 8 2018
Hearings Official City of Eugene
Capital Hill Tentative PUD (PDT 17-1) Planning Division
Dear Ms. Gustafson-Lucker,
Regarding EC 9.7085 Quasi-Judicial Hearings-Burden of Proof.
The burden of proof is upon the applicant. A decision to resolve the issues presented shall be
based upon reliable, probative and substantial evidence in the record.
Under multiple approval criteria in EC 9.8320 etseq, the Planning Division Staff Report relies on the
March 1, 2018 memo from Scott Gillespie. This memo is found in Attachment F of the Agenda for the
March 7, 2018 Public Hearing, and is attached to this testimony as Exhibit A.
The memo itself makes no reference to any Tentative PUD approval criteria, and appears to clearly not
be directed at EC 9.8320(6), which requires unimpeded emergency response access to the PUD. ("Public
Works staff defers to Eugene-Springfield Fire for a specific evaluation of Fire Codes and First Responder
operations.")
The Staff Report explicitly cites this memo under EC 9.8320(5)(c), which addresses requirements for a
Traffic Impact Analysis. The Staff Report also cites this memo under EC 9.8320(6), which appears to be
an error on the part of staff (based on the memo's own deference to Eugene-Springfield Fire), and which
I've also addressed in prior testimony regarding EC 9.8320(6). The Staff Report cites to the memo under
EC 9.8320(7), which addresses adequate public services; but it's completely unclear for what reason.
Finally, the staff report cites to the memo under EC 9.8320(11), which addresses minimal off-site
impacts; here again, the connection seem tenuous.
In any case, there is nothing at all in the Gillespie memo that the Hearings Official can rely upon as
substantial, reliable and probative evidence.
Exhibit B provides a list of questions and requests for clarifications that I provided to Mr. Gillespie, to
which he responded: "I am comfortable with the content of the memo and don't have corrections or
clarifications for the record at this time."
In Exhibit B I've added (in blue typeface) my follow-up comments that demonstrate that the memo
throughout is fraught with deficiencies.
This would not be the first memo written by Mr. Gillespie that is a rambling collection of unsupported
claims, erroneous statements and irrelevant points. In the recent Oakleigh Meadow Cohousing PUD
(PDT 13-1) remand, after the Planning Division staff solicited testimony to bolster their defense of the
City's approval, Gillespie's one-page memo was so filled with errors that the Planning Commission
entirely ignored it in their revised findings and final order. See Exhibit C.
I'm respectfully arguing that the Hearings Official reject, or in any case ignore, all references to the
Gillespie memo in the Staff Report because any reliance on the Gillespie memo would not conform to
the requirements of EC 9.7085.
Questions and Responses regarding Scott Gillespie Testimony - Submitted by Paul Conte
Further, as I'm sure the Hearings Official is aware, the City's decision must explain the evidence and
reasoning for findings of conformance with approval criteria. I believe, as capable as the Hearings
Official appear to be, she would be hard pressed to explain how any of Mr. Gillespie's statements
provide an reaonable basis for findings.
Submitted this 8th day of March, 2018
P6~ t cPaul Conte
March 8, 2018 P a g e 12
EXHIBIT A Attachment F
Memorandum
Date: December 8, 2017
To: Nick Gioello
From: Scott Gillespie, PE
Subject: PDT 17-1 Capital Hill PUD - Capital Drive Roadway Review
The purpose of this memo is to review Capital Drive and Spring Blvd in the context of the Capital Hill PUD
application (PDT 17-1). The applicant has submitted a traffic safety and street connectivity study
prepared by Branch Engineering dated August 8th 2017. A traffic engineering study is not explicitly
required per City code but the applicant has provided a study to address capacity, safety and operational
concerns expressed by citizens and to better address PUD approval criteria. The study was prepared by a
licensed civil Engineer with specific experience and expertise in traffic engineering. Public Works
Engineering staff review and recommendation is specific to the roadway capacity, operations and safety
as the department with jurisdiction over the roadway. Public Works staff defers to Eugene-Springfield
Fire for a specific evaluation of Fire Codes and First Responder operations.
Existing Conditions
The development site is primarily accessed via Spring Blvd and Capital Drive. Cresta De Ruta also
provides an alternate route to Capital Drive but it is not the most direct route. There are a number of
connections available to the Spring Blvd and Capital Drive area including:
• Columbia to Fairmount
• East 27th to Spring
• East 27th to Woodlawn (via Central & 26th)
• Agate to Columbia (via 22nd Ave)
• Agate to Fairmount (via 21St)
• 19th to Fairmount (via Moss, Villard, or Orchard)
This memo will focus on the primary access section of Spring Blvd and Capital Drive as those roadways
have garnered the most comment and provide the most commonly used and direct point of access to the
development site. An evaluation of other roadways servicing Spring Blvd and Capital Drive is not
warranted at this time. The roadways listed above make multiple street connections into the area and the
potential for routes to access the development site multiply exponentially as proximity to the site
increases. All streets listed above that serve and surround the development site are classified as local
streets on the city of Eugene's adopted Street Classification Map. All existing streets in areas were
constructed prior to any City council adopted street standards. A number of the roadways and
corresponding rights of way were dedicated in Lane County and then subsequently annexed into the City
of Eugene at a later date.
Spring Blvd begins at the intersection of Fairmont Blvd. Spring continues past the intersection of Capital
Drive and that section will not be reviewed as it is not part of the primary network serving the
development site. The intersection of Spring Blvd. & Fairmount is a partially controlled intersection due
to Fairmont to Spring Blvd being the predominant vehicular movement. Spring Blvd is a local street
Page 386
Attachment F
improved with travel lanes, curbs and stormwater controls. The paving width was designed to 18 feet
from curb face to curb face. No sidewalks are present on either side. Parking is restricted on both sides of
the roadway. No parking signs are present but intermittently spaced. The spacing does not meet current
no-parking sign spacing standards but the presence of signage legally establishes the restriction
throughout its length. Horizontal alignment, warning and advisory speed signs are present where site
distance is limited at the statutory speed (25 mph). A speed sign is present on the downhill portion of the
roadways. The posted speed is equal to the statutory speed.
Capital Drive begins at the intersection of Spring Blvd (along with Woodlawn and Madrona). The
intersection is fully controlled due to the awkward geometry and site distance. Capital Drive is a local
street improved with travel lanes, curbs and stormwater controls. The paving width was designed to 18
feet from curb face to curb face. A 2 foot wide sidewalk exists on the downhill side of the roadway ending
at the intersection of Alta Vista Ct. Parking is restricted on the uphill side of the roadway. Signage is
present at what appears to be standard spacing. Both curbs are painted yellow restricting parking on
Capital Drive from the intersection of Alta Vista Court through the 180 degree turn near the top of Capital
Dr. approximately 200 feet from the intersection of Cresta De Ruta. The 200 foot section from the end of
the 180 degree curve to Cresta De Ruta appears to have a faded yellow curb painted on the downhill side
of the road. Parking patterns in this section are less pronounced. Capital Drive from Cresta De Ruta
through the development site does not allow parking on either side of the roadway. This is established by
no parking signs on both sides of the road. Horizontal alignment, warning and advisory speed signs are
present where site distance is limited at the statutory speed (25 mph).
Review & Recommendation
The applicant's engineer performed a comprehensive traffic safety and street connectivity study. The
applicant collected data and analyzed a number of safety and performance parameters and made
recommendation based upon evidence, engineering analyses and professional judgement. The study goes
above and beyond what is typically expected to justify an existing local roadway. The engineer prepared
volume and speed study calculations in additional to a number of other geomatres and operational
calculations. Volumes and speed were well within expected standards for local streets. The engineer
properly estimated trips impacts from the development site per ITE standards. The applicant estimated
construction traffic from the development site even thought is not considered best practice to do so. The
engineer analyzed intersections for safety and operations. The applicant's engineer demonstrated that
no crash reducing measures are necessary, recorded traffic speeds are within acceptable percentages for
the posted and statutory speed, Capital Drive & Spring Blvd have adequate capacity to serve the
development site and no measureable congestion from an engineering standpoint will result from the
proposed development.
The City of Eugene re-paved Spring Blvd and Capital Drive in 2014. The pavement structural sections
were designed to City standards and City Engineering staff has confirmed the new pavements have the
capacity to serve the existing neighborhood and the proposed development site. The pavement design
factored in heavy vehicles in daily operations. The pavement section is adequate to accommodate
construction traffic from the development site. City Engineering, Traffic Engineering and Transportation
Planning staff perform a comprehensive review of the roadway operation at the time of rehabilitation
projects. It should be noted that no parking, geometric, safety or operational changes were made to the
roadway at the time of the pavement project. The roadways were reconstructed to existing historical
lines, grades, widths, traffic controls and parking patterns. The City of Eugene would not have knowingly
reconstructed an unsafe condition.
The narrow roadway and topography create a self-regulating condition consistent with the City of Eugene
queuing street design standards and appropriate for the topography, speeds and volumes in the surround
neighborhoods. Spring Blvd and Capital Drive do not have a crash history. This further justifies the
Page 387
Attachment F
adequacy to safety serve motorists pedestrians and cyclists. Measured speeds are consistent with the
statutory and posted speeds. The measured speeds do not warrant an increase or reduction in the posted
speed. The measured speeds and lack of crash history indicate the roadway is operating as intended.
Warning, direction and advisory speed signs are present in areas with limited site distance and geometry.
The signage is adequate and proper given the topographic/geometric limitations and statutory speeds.
Intersection controls are appropriate for the multi legged intersection at Spring/Capital. The intersection
controls at Spring/Fairmont are appropriate given the limited site distance the predominance of the
vehicular movement from Spring to Fairmount. Engineering staff finds no evidence that suggest the
existing roadway network is unsafe or incapable of accommodating the traffic impacts from the proposed
development.
The existing roadways that lead to the Capital Hill PUD site have been in existence for over a century.
They have been fully improved with curbs and gutters since the 1950's. The city did not have a council
adopted street design standard at that time. The streets were designed to standards and exceptions of the
design engineer and City/County engineers at the time of their construction. The narrow character for
the existing roadways is consistent with the intent of the current City design standards for queuing
streets. This situation happens all throughout the City of Eugene and other communities on Oregon. City
design standards evolve and it is not implied that older streets designed under older standard are
inadequate or inherently unsafe. The roadways are merely suffering from functional obsolescence.
Functional obsolescence does not imply that older streets are unsafe, perform poorly or do not have the
capacity to serve growth. Functional obsolescence simply means there is a reduction in the usefulness or
desirability of a roadway because of an outdated design feature, usually one that cannot be easily
changed. From an Engineering operations and safety perspective, there is no appreciable difference
between an 18 foot wide road and a 20 foot wide road. The utilization of on street parking is sparse and
the portions that are being used support traffic calming in the area. The roadway has historically
performed well and there is no engineering evidence to the contrary.
Three separate engineering evaluations were performed to address the safety, operation & capacity of the
existing roadways system serving the development site. City staff re-paved the street systems serving
the site prior to the PUD application. The evaluation and conclusions for re-paving were made
independent of the PUD application. Multiple City of Eugene transportation professionals reviewed the
rehabilitation plan and the plan was approved to reconstruct to historical grades, controls and parking
patterns. The applicant's engineer provided a robust traffic study and concluded the existing roadway
system is safe and adequate to serve. I have also reviewed the roadway system and conclude there is no
evidence to suggest the existing roadways are unsafe or incapable of serving the development site.
Therefore, City staff concurs with the applicant's engineer and recommends the existing transportation
system is adequate to serve the proposed development and no offsite mitigation is required.
Page 388
EXHIBIT B
Questions and Responses regarding Scott Gillespie Testimony - Submitted by Paul Conte
The following questions and comments were provided to Scott Gillespie on March 1, 2018, regarding
Gillespie's memo of December 8, 2017 to Nick Gioello in which Gillespie provide a "review" of Capital
Drive Roadway.
I requested that Gillespie correct and/or clarify several items (enumerated below) prior to my
submitting comments as testimony in the Capital Hill Tentative PUD proceedings.
Gillespie responded on March 2, 2018: "1 am comfortable with the content of the memo and don't have
corrections or clarifications for the record at this time."
1. RE: "The purpose of this memo is to review Capital Drive and Spring Blvd in the context of the
Capital Hill PUD application (PDT 17-1)."
To which section(s) of Eugene Code is your "review" relevant? Specifically, for which of the following
code sections is your review probative: EC 9.8320(5)(a), (b), (6), (7), (10)(b) and/or (11)?
Comment: Gillespie provides no references at all to Tentative PUD approval criteria or any other
Eugene Code. It is therefore impossible to ascertain to which approval criterion(a) (if any) he is
applying his evaluation. Gillespie's comments, therefore do not meet the standard for probative
evidence with sufficient specificity to enable the Hearings Official or other parties to respond with
respect to the Tentative PUD approval criteria, as required by the Public Hearing Notice:
"failure to provide statements or evidence with sufficient specificity to enable the Hearings
Official to respond to the issue, precludes an appeal based on that issue."
2. RE: "Public Works Engineering staff review and recommendation is [sic] specific to the roadway
capacity, operations and safety as the department with jurisdiction over the roadway."
Comment: Although the Hearings Official might infer which approval criterion(a) this review
addresses, there are numerous adopted comprehensive plan policies and Tentative PUD approval
criteria to which this review might be directed.
"Public Works staff defers to Eugene-Springfield Fire for a specific evaluation of Fire Codes and First
Responder operations."
Since the Eugene City Council has adopted local street standards, Oregon Statutes state that these
standards are applicable rather than the Eugene Fire Code standards for "Fire Apparatus Access
Roads" (FAAR). Are you "deferring" evaluation of the adequacy of Capital Drive and Spring Blvd. to
meet the effective FAAR standards, which are the adopted Eugene Street Standards?
Comment: The presumed answer to this is "yes," which eliminates EC 9.8320(6) as an approval
criterion which this review addresses. It also eliminates issues related to the adequacy of a FAAR to
enable adequate Fire and Emergency Service, as required under EC 9.8320(7).
4. RE: "Cresta De Ruta also provides an alternate route to Capital Drive but it is not the most direct
route." and "This memo will focus on the primary access section of Spring Blvd and Capital Drive
There is no review of Cresta De Ruta. Does that mean that PWD considers Capital Drive and Spring
Blvd. to be the only access roads that are considered to handle the total projected access to and from
the PUD by all modes of transportation? For example, for purposes of your review and conclusions,
have you assumed that all vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian, wheelchair, etc. access to and from the PUD
will be on Capital Drive and Spring Blvd.?
March 8, 2018 Page 13
Questions and Responses regarding Scott Gillespie Testimony - Submitted by Paul Conte
Comment: There are only two possible responses:
"Yes," which appears to be the implication; or
"No," in which case, all the following analysis is skewed and incomplete because it doesn't
apportion the usage and doesn't describe Cresta De Ruta's features and capacity.
RE: "...the potential for routes to access the development site multiply exponentially as proximity to
the site increases."
"Proximity" means "nearness." I think your statement has the exact opposite of what you are
claiming. The are more connections to streets as the distance from the site increases. Please correct.
Could you provide the easily identified data on which you based the claim that "potential for routes
multiple exponentially"? In analytic terms, "exponential" refers to an equation in which the
dependent variable (e.g., "routes") increases by some power (the exponent) of the independent
variable (e.g., "miles from the site").So, for example, if the number of routes was the square of the
miles from the site, then at 1 mile, there would be 1 route, at 2 miles there would be 4 routes, at 3
miles there would be 9 routes. What equation were you citing?
Comment: Although Gillespie appears to be trying to make a point, this statement isn't reliable or
probative because it's technically incorrect, and Gillespie has declined to correct and clarify it.
6. For my [Conte] purposes, the critical access segment to and from the PUD is Capital Drive from its
intersection with Spring Blvd.
What is the exact distance from this intersection to the nearest point where Capital drive (first) is
adjacent to some portion of the proposed development site?
Comment: It appears in his "analysis," Gillespie did not determine this important fact. My (Conte)
approximate measurement is about % mile.
What is the exact distance from this intersection to the furthest point where Capital Drive (last) is
adjacent to some portion of the proposed development site?
Comment: It appears in his "analysis," Gillespie did not determine this important fact. I (Conte) have
not measured it.
7. RE: "Capital Drive is a local street improved with travel lanes, curbs and stormwater controls."
a) What is the current subclassification (based on ADT), e.g. "Low Volume Residential"; of Capital
Drive from its origin to Alta Vista Court?
Comment: It appears in his "analysis," Gillespie did not determine this important fact. Other sources
appear to place the current traffic volume in the Low Volume Residential classification.
b) What is the current subclassification (based on ADT) of Capital Drive from Alta Vista Court to
Cresta De Ruta St. ?
Comment: It appears in his "analysis," Gillespie did not determine this important fact. Other sources
appear to place the current traffic volume in the Low Volume Residential classification.
c) What is the current subclassification (based on ADT) of Capital Drive from Crests De Ruta St to
nearest point where Capital drive (first) is adjacent to some portion of the d) proposed development
site?
Comment: It appears in his "analysis," Gillespie did not determine this important fact.
March 8, 2018 P a g e 14
Questions and Responses regarding Scott Gillespie Testimony - Submitted by Paul Conte
What is the projected subclassification (based on ADT) of Capital Drive segments (a), (b), (c) and (d)
when the proposed PUD is fully developed and occupied?
Comment: It appears in his "analysis," Gillespie did not determine these important facts. From other
sources, I believe (a) and (b) would be Low Volume Residential.
8. RE: "The paving width [of Capital Drive] was designed to 18 feet from curb face to curb face."
Has Public Works verified that the entire paving width of Capital Drive actually at least 18 feet wide
from it's beginning to the furthest point where Capital Drive (last) is adjacent to some portion of the
proposed development site? If there are segments with a lesser width, what are their location(s) and
actual paving width(s)?
Comment: It appears in his "analysis," Gillespie did not determine these important facts. I don't
know of any complete survey of Capital Drive pavement width in the record.
9. RE: "A 2 foot wide sidewalk exists on the downhill side of the roadway ending at the intersection of
Alta Vista Ct."
Where is the other terminus of this sidewalk?
Comment: It appears in his "analysis," Gillespie did not determine this important fact. I don't know
of any complete survey of Capital Drive sidewalks in the record.
10. RE: "Parking is restricted on the uphill side of the roadway. Signage is present at what appears to be
standard spacing. Both curbs are painted yellow restricting parking on Capital Drive from the
intersection of Alta Vista Court through the 180 degree turn near the top of Capital Dr.
approximately 200 feet from the intersection of Cresta De Ruta. The 200 foot section from the end
of the 180 degree curve to Cresta De Ruta appears to have a faded yellow curb painted on the
downhill side of the road. Parking patterns in this section are less pronounced. Capital Drive from
Cresta De Ruta through the development site does not allow parking on either side of the roadway.
This is established by no parking signs on both sides of the road. Horizontal alignment, warning and
advisory speed signs are present where site distance is limited at the statutory speed (25 mph)."
This section is incomplete and unclear as to some of the extents. Please provide the current parking
restrictions, signage, curb painting, parking patterns and signage for each segment of Capital Drive.
Comment: Gillespie declined to identify the various extents, which are important to assessing the
capacity and safety over the entire length of Capital Drive.
11. RE: "The [applicant's] study goes above and beyond what is typically expected to justify an existing
local roadway.
What is "typically expected"? What 'justification" are you using as a reference point, i.e., to what
agency and purpose?
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanation; accordingly, his conclusory statements are neither
reliable nor probative.
12. RE: "Volumes and speed were well within expected standards for local streets."
What are the "expected standards"? What were the reported volumes and speeds?
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanation; accordingly, his conclusory statements are neither
reliable nor probative.
13. RE: "The engineer properly estimated trips impacts from the development site per ITE standards."
March 8, 2018 P a g e 15
Questions and Responses regarding Scott Gillespie Testimony - Submitted by Paul Conte
What were the values of those estimates?
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanation; accordingly, his conclusory statement is neither
reliable nor probative.
14. RE: "The engineer analyzed intersections for safety and operations."
What were the probative results that the applicant's engineer claimed?
Comment: Gillespie provided no description of the results; accordingly, his statement isn't
probative.
15. RE: "The applicant's engineer demonstrated that no crash reducing measures are necessary,
recorded traffic speeds are within acceptable percentages for the posted and statutory speed,
Capital Drive & Spring Blvd have adequate capacity to serve the development site and no
measureable congestion from an engineering standpoint will result from the proposed
development."
What were the specific data and analysis submitted by the applicant's engineer that you are relying
upon for the following conclusions:
a) no crash reducing measures are necessary
b) recorded traffic speeds are within acceptable percentages for the posted and statutory speed
c) Capital Drive & Spring Blvd have adequate capacity to serve the development site
d) no measureable congestion from an engineering standpoint will result from the proposed
development."
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanations; accordingly, his conclusory statements are neither
reliable nor probative.
16. RE: "City Engineering staff has confirmed the new pavements have the capacity to serve the existing
neighborhood and the proposed development site"
What measure of "capacity" are you referring to e.g., volume, Gross Vehicle Weight, other?
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanation; accordingly, his conclusory statement is neither
reliable nor probative.
17. RE: "The City of Eugene would not have knowingly reconstructed an unsafe condition."
Are you claiming that this is reliable and probative evidence upon which the Hearings Official should
base his conclusions, or is this just speculation? On what concrete evidence do you base this
statement?
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanation; accordingly, his conclusory statements are neither
reliable nor probative.
18. RE: "The narrow roadway and topography create a self-regulating condition and appropriate for the
topography, speeds and volumes in the surround neighborhoods."
What is the meaning of "self-regulating" in standard, professional lexicon?
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanation; accordingly, his conclusory statement is neither
reliable nor probative.
March 8, 2018 Page 16
Questions and Responses regarding Scott Gillespie Testimony - Submitted by Paul Conte
Because, as you know, the City's "queuing street" standard requires 21 foot wide paving, please
explain professional language how an 18 foot paved roadway is "consistent with the City of Eugene
queuing street design standards."
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanation of the conflict between his statement and the actual
standards for a "queuing street." Gillespie's statement is false.
19. RE: "This further justifies the adequacy to safety serve motorists pedestrians and cyclists."
Please correct the typo: "safely" is the correct word.
20. RE: "Spring Blvd and Capital Drive do not have a crash history. This further justifies the adequacy to
safe[ly] serve motorists pedestrians and cyclists."
Please explain your basis for making this conclusion without taking into account the significant
increase in all modes of travel over Capital Drive.
Comment: Gillespie declined to address the potential impacts on safety from the substantial
increased in motorized and non-motorized use of Capital Drive. In particular, Gillespie has not
addressed the substantial increase in the probability of vehicle and pedestrian encounters. The
conclusion is unsupported and unreliable.
21. RE: "The measured speeds and lack of crash history indicate the roadway is operating as intended."
Please explain why the review does not address whether or not the roadway can operate as
intended" with the significant increase in all modes of travel over Capital Drive.
Comment: Gillespie declined to address the potential impacts on safety from the substantial
increased in motorized and non-motorized use of Capital Drive. In particular, Gillespie has not
addressed the substantial increase in the probability of vehicle and pedestrian encounters. The
conclusion is unsupported and unreliable.
22. RE: "Engineering staff finds no evidence that suggest the existing roadway network is unsafe or
incapable of accommodating the traffic impacts from the proposed development."
Please explain the basis for this sweeping conclusion when the review did not appear to analyze the
potential increase in risk from the significant increase in all modes of travel over Capital Drive; did
not do any projection of potential risks from the substandard street configuration and did not even
acknowledge the much higher safety standard that must be met to conform to the City Council's
adopted "Vision Zero" policy (which isn't even mentioned in this review).
Comment: Gillespie declined to address the evidence and factors that conflict with his conclusory
statement. Gillespie provided no evidence or other basis for his conclusory statement. This
statement is unsupported and unreliable.
23. RE: "The existing roadways that lead to the Capital Hill PUD site have been in existence for over a
century. They have been fully improved with curbs and gutters since the 1950's. The city did not
have a council adopted street design standard at that time. The streets were designed to standards
and exceptions of the design engineer and City/County engineers at the time of their construction."
While this is information that would be appropriate under "Existing Conditions," please explain what
relevance it has under the "review" analysis to the current capacity and safety of the access roads?
Gillespie declined to provide any explanation. These statements aren't probative to evaluating any
approval criteria with respect to projected use.
March 8, 2018 P a g e 17
Questions and Responses regarding Scott Gillespie Testimony - Submitted by Paul Conte
24. RE: "The narrow character for the existing roadways is consistent with the intent of the current City
design standards for queuing streets."
Please answer the question under #18.
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanation or support for his conclusory statement; accordingly,
his statement is neither reliable nor probative.
25. RE: "This situation happens all throughout the City of Eugene and other communities on Oregon.
City design standards evolve and it is not implied that older streets designed under older standard
are inadequate or inherently unsafe."
Are you implying that "older streets designed under older standard are" necessarily adequate and
safe?
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanation for the relevance or implications ofthis statement. The
fact that older streets may not be inadequate or unsafe provides no evidence that Capital Drive is
adequate and safe. This statement is not probative.
26. RE: "The roadways are merely suffering from functional obsolescence. Functional obsolescence does
not imply that older streets are unsafe, perform poorly or do not have the capacity to serve growth.
Functional obsolescence simply means there is a reduction in the usefulness or desirability of a
roadway because of an outdated design feature, usually one that cannot be easily changed."
What does 'functional obsolescence" comprise? Does 'functional" encompass "safe"?
Is a street that is 'functionally obsolescent" necessarily safe?
If a street is unsafe because of an "outdated" design feature, does that allow an exception to EC
9.8320(5) and (6), which require safe access to the PUD?
Comment: Gillespie provided no explanation for the relevance or implications of his statements. The
fact that older streets may not be inadequate or unsafe provides no evidence that Capital Drive is
adequate and safe. This statement is not probative.
27. RE: "...there is no appreciable difference between an 18 foot wide road and a 20 foot wide road."
Please explain this conclusion when two 10-foot-wide fire trucks are unable to physically pass one
another on an 18-foot-wide road and can physically pass one another on a 20-foot-wide road.
Please cite to accepted professional standards and/or practices upon which this conclusion is based.
Comment: Gillespie declined to explain his statement, which is, on the face of it, false. His statement
is erroneous and unreliable.
28. RE: "The utilization of on street parking is sparse and the portions that are being used support traffic
calming in the area."
Please identify documentation in the City's records for Capital Drive that street parking is "being
used" to "support" traffic calming in the area.
Comment: Gillespie provided no facts to back up his statement, appears to be made up out of thin
air. His statement is unsupported and unreliable.
29. RE: "The roadway has historically performed well and there is no engineering evidence to the
contrary."
Please explain this as requested for question #23.
March 8, 2018 P a g e (8
Questions and Responses regarding Scott Gillespie Testimony - Submitted by Paul Conte
Comment: See comment under question #23.
30. RE: "City staff re-paved the street systems serving the site prior to the PUD application. The
evaluation and conclusions for re-paving were made independent of the PUD application. Multiple
City of Eugene transportation professionals reviewed the rehabilitation plan and the plan was
approved to reconstruct to historical grades, controls and parking patterns."
Please explain how these historical events and decisions, made in the absence of any consideration
of the proposed PUD's impacts, are probative the current PUD approval process.
Comment: Gillespie declined to explain his statement. His statement is not probative.
31. "The applicant's engineer provided a robust traffic study and concluded the existing roadway
system is safe and adequate to serve. I have also reviewed the roadway system and conclude there
is no evidence to suggest the existing roadways are unsafe or incapable of serving the development
site. Therefore, City staff concurs with the applicant's engineer and recommends the existing
transportation system is adequate to serve the proposed development and no offsite mitigation is
required."
Correct me if I'm wrong. This is your summary and contains no additional supporting evidence or
analysis.
Comment: Gillespie did not indicate my (Conte) understanding was incorrect. Obviously, this
paragraph adds no reliable or probative evidence or relevant argument.
March 8, 2018 P a g e 19
EXHIBIT C
Report by Traffic Engineer
Evaluation of City staff testimony regarding
O akleigh Lane
This report evaluates the testimony of Scott Gillespie of
the Eugene Public Works Department and Mark H. Dahl
of the Eugene Springfield Fire Marshal's Office.
Report Conclusion
"Based on the review of the Nemariam Report and the
two documents cited above, it is my professional opinion
that neither document provides relevant, substantial
evidence that would contradict the conclusions in the
Nemarion Report.
Providing additional housing for a community is a
priority for many cities and counties to meet the growing
demand. That, however, must be done in a responsible
way so the safety and well-being of the existing and
future residents of an established community is not
compromised.
It is also my independent, professional opinion that the
Nemarion Report provides reliable, substantial evidence
and expert analysis that supports the conclusions in the
report. '
CONTE - EXHIBIT Al
5640 SW Ivfurray Blvd. #20
Beaverton, OR 97005
503-888-7553
MASSOUD G. SABERMN, PE, PTOE
P.O. Box 9511
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
sabaces100@gmai1. corn
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Principal Transportation Engineer, Supervisor, Project Manager skilled in State and Local projects, QA/QC 28+ years.
Consulting Engineer (1981 to 82, 1985 to 90, 2002-03) 7+ years,
SABA Consulting & Engineering Services since 1988
Proficient Manager, proven leadership skills, knowledgeable transportation engineer and excellent consensus builder, 27 years
Expertise with the latest standards and design guideline (i.e. MUTCD, AASHTO, HCM, ODOT, and other public agencies, 27+ years
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Supervising Engineer - City of Santa Rosa Public Works - Santa Rosa, CA - Since Dec 2013
Provided supervision, mentorship and leadership to transportation engineering section, provided detailed engineering including but not
limited to Safety Projects, Neighborhood Traffic Calming, Traffic Control Plan and related programs, Project Management, Corridor
Studies, School Zone safety, Work Zone safety, Development Review, and various other capital projects.
Principal Engineer - SABA, Consulting and Engineering Services (SABA, C.E.S.), Beaverton, OR - Since July 1988
Provided services as a civil engineering consulting engineer in charge of preparing Traffic Impact Statements, traffic analysis, safety
audits, acted as an expert witness in litigated matters, prepared work zone safety plans, civil engineering, project management,
contract documents, budget preparation and review, development review, school zone safety, traffic management for public and
private clients and over 100 projects in Oregon and Washington, etc.
Transportation Engineer - City of Pasco, Public Works/Engineering, Pasco, WA - Sept. 2011 to May 2012
Managed City's Traffic Engineering, Signals, Safety Projects, Street Lighting, Neighborhood Traffic Calming, Traffic Control Plan
and related programs, Project Management, Signing and Striping standards, etc.
Principal Transportation Engineer - City of Lake Oswego, Public Works/Engineering, Lake Oswego, OR - July 2006 to Sept. 2011
Led City's Traffic Engineering, Signals, Safety Projects, Neighborhood Traffic Calming, Traffic Control Plan and related programs,
Project Management, Corridor Studies, School Zone safety, Work Zone safety, Development Review, etc.
Senior Traffic/Signal Engineer - Oregon Department of Transportation Headquarters, Salem, OR - July 2003 to July 2006
Established Statewide Signal Approval Procedure and List on all State Highways, Updated the Statewide Signal Policy and
Guidelines, Managed Signal Operation Group (6-8 staff) overseeing statewide periodic signal timing updates and Flashing Yellow
Left Turn Arrow Signal Implementation in the State. Multiple legislative updates In Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised
Statutes as related to Traffic Control Devices in general and Signals in particular.
MASSOUD G. SABERIAN, PE, PTOE
5640 SW Murray Blvd. #20
Beaverton, OR 97005
503-888-7553
P.O. Box 9511
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
sabaces100@gm ail. com
Transportation Manager - Berger/ABAM Engineers Inc.; Portland, OR - July 2002 to July 2003
Recruited to develop and expand a Transportation Section in the Portland Office. The primary efforts included but not limited to
intensive marketing with public agencies throughout the State, team building and networking in the Oregon market. Also, supported
transportation needs in other national and international market (Dubai) for variety of transportation related efforts. In addition, the
work included project management, and related report preparation and QA/QC efforts.
Senior Traffic Engineer, Traffic Analyst - Washington County Dept. of Land use and Transportation, Hillsboro, OR - 1990 to 2002
Responsible for leading the Traffic Operations Section (13-19 Staff). Managed Traffic Calming Program, ITS inception, Project
Management, Signal, Subdivision and Street Lighting review, School Zone Safety Program, Crossing Guard Training Program, day to
day signal timing and traffic safety and analysis, Night Road Log Program, Intersection Safety Ranking, provided strong and frequent
support for County's short and long term Planning, Land Development and Construction Management of multiple Private and Public
project including dozens of large subdivisions, major road improvements (MSTIP), and West Side MAX (Light Rail) project from
Portland to Hillsboro. In addition,
• Prepared technical reports: traffic analysis, cost estimates
• Prepared safety analysis, recommendations and operational practices and procedures
• Dealt with performance evaluations, personnel issues, disciplinary action as needed
• Completed and implemented signal upgrade plans, intersection improvement, and safety projects
• provided support as member of many Technical Advisory Committees, Traffic Management Teams
• Expanded alternative modes of transportation including pedestrian and bike pathways
• Developed and implemented many operational guidelines, signal timing upgrade plans, and School Flashers Program
Civil and Traffic Engineer - Robert E. Meyer Consultants Inc., Beaverton, OR - 1988 to 1990
Responsible for transportation planning, intersection design and site design on multiple projects, Assisted in a drainage study for
Heritage Creek in Tualatin, OR, Resident Engineer (start to finish) for a 5 Mil Gal. pre-stressed, post-tensioned concrete water
reservoir for Oak Lodge Water District in Milwaukie, OR
Civil, Design and Traffic Engineer - W-H Pacific (Wilsey and Ham), Beaverton (Portland), OR - 1985 to 1988
• Prepared technical reports: traffic analysis, Traffic Impact Statement, data collection and cost estimates
• Prepared safety analysis, recommendations and operational practices and procedures
• CAD Design and site design, contour maps, structural analysis and design
• Site inspection, project inspection, site assessment, surveys.
MASSOUD G. SABERMN, PE, PTOE
5640 SW Murray Blvd. #20
Beaverton, OR 97005
503-888-7553
P.O. Box 9511
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
sabaces100@gn: ail. coin
EDUCATION
Master of Science, Civil/Transportation Engineering, Minor Statistics - Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Completed additional 45+ credit hours advanced engineering classes.
Bachelor of Science, Civil/Structural Engineering, Minor: Transportation - Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Completed 210+ credit hours undergraduate core engineering classes.
CERTIFICATIONS
Professional Engineer (PE), Civil and Traffic Engineer, State of Oregon -1989/1995
Professional Traffic Engineer (TE), State of California - 2014
Professional Engineer (PE), Civil Engineer, State of Washington - 2003
Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE), National ITE - 2006
AFFILIATIONS
Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), member since 1990.
City of Beaverton's Visioning Advisory Committee - Appointed by City Council, 2012-2013
Oregon Traffic Control Devices Committee member since 2007, Vice Chair 2009-10, Chair 2010-11
ITE Technical Committee Chair, Western District 2007, Technical Committee Chair, ITE Quad Conference, 2004
ITE Oregon Section Past President, President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer (2003 to 2007)
Oregon Commission on Asian Affairs (Vice Chair) - Appointed by Governor Kulongaski for a 3 year term, 2003-2006
Oregon Commission on Asian Affairs - Appointed by Governor Kitzhaber for two 3 year terms, 1998-2003
Iranian-American Professional Society of Oregon - member, officer, 1995 - 2006, volunteer 2006 to present
REFERENCES
Gladly provided upon request (Washington County, ODOT, other private and public agencies, personal references).
Oakleigh Lane. Eugene, Oregon CONTE - EXHIBIT A2
April 18, 2017 Page: 1 of 5
Date: April 18, 2017
To: Mr. Paul Conte
From: Massoud Saberian, PE, PTOE
Principal Transportation Engineer
SABA Consulting & Engineering Services
RE: Oakleigh Lane 250-foot Segment Assessment
Dear Mr. Conte,
You have requested that I review and provide my expert opinion on the comments in three documents:
• April 10, 2017 memo from Scott Gillespie of the Eugene Public Works Department (Exhibit A)
• April 12, 2017 comments from Mark H. Dahl of the Eugene Springfield Fire Marshal's Office
(Exhibit B)
• April 5, 2017 Report prepared by Nemariam Engineering Associates, LLC (Exhibit C Nemariam
Report)
In review of these three documents, I have summarized my findings in no particular order as follow:
The Nemariam Report provided a traffic assessment regarding a 250-foot segment of Oakleigh Lane in
Eugene, Oregon. Nemariam Report, page 1.
The Nemariam Report presented substantial evidence, including from the traffic engineer's visit to the
site, and concluded that "the 250-foot segment of Oakleigh Lane, as approved in the City's 'Final Order,'
cannot reasonably be relied upon as a'queuing street'that would provide unimpeded emergency
response to the proposed PUD." Nemariam Report, page 14.
Memo from Scott Gillespie
In the first paragraph of Mr. Gillespie's memo, he provides some basic description of the dedication,
history and configuration of Oakleigh Lane. The statements that are relevant to the Nemariam Report's
assessment, include:
• "The Roadway was improved to an approximate continuous width of 20 feet.
• "The road] is constructed to Lane County LAR standards."
• "The roadway has no curbs."
• "Photographic evidence and testimony shows intermittent parking on gravel shoulders."
The first statement is inaccurate, and could inadvertently be misunderstood by others as a 20 feet wide
roadway. The roadway is improved to only 14 feet (average), more-or-less within the 20-foot right-of-
way of the 250-foot segment that the Nemariam Report's assessment covered. Nemariam Report, pages
2, 4, 11 (Table I) and Exhibits C & G.1. This narrow paving was a critical factor in the Nemariam Report's
conclusions.
The second statement does not provide any data on which segment(s) of the road are City street and
which are County road. The statement doesn't describe the "Lane County LAR standards" or the right-of-
SABA, C.E.S. - Beaverton, OR 503-888-7553 sabaces100@gmail.com
Oakleigh Lane. Eugene, Oregon
April 18, 2017
Page: 2 of 5
way and paving configuration where those standards are applicable. Thus, it is impossible to verify this
assertion from the information provided.
The third statement is accurate and is a factor that was addressed in the Nemariam Report's
assessment.
While the fourth statement is accurate, it is incomplete. The photographic evidence and statements
from the City, which were included as exhibits in the Nemariam Report establish that:
a) Parking is legal on the paving within the right-of-way, and
b) Parking occurs on the paved area within the right-of-way. Nemariam Report, pages 1, 2, 4
(Table I), page 9 and Exhibits D.1, E.1 & E.2. Such parking, although legal, would create a
potential impediment to emergency access via 14-foot-wide paving along the 250-foot segment
that the Nemariam Report assessed. There are no Parking prohibitions anywhere along the road
segment.
The second paragraph of Mr. Gillespie's memo provides the following assertions. My response follows
each, in turn.
• "[T]he applicant's engineer submitted testimony that identifies the trip impacts from the
proposed development site."
Response: "trip impacts" appears to refer to the projection of Average Daily Trips (ADT), which
were considered in the Nemariam Report's assessment. The ADT across the 250-foot, narrow
segment would more than triple from approximately 67 vehicles per day to approximately 235
vehicles per day. Nemariam Report, page 2.
"The applicant dedicated the appropriate width of right of way along the frontage of the
development site."
Response: This "frontage" segment of Oakleigh Lane is east of the 250-foot, narrow segment
that must be traversed by all vehicles entering or leaving the proposed PUD site. Nemariam
Report, page 2 and Exhibit C. As such, this would have no effect on the analysis or conclusions.
• "Oakleigh Lane is a local rural road in Lane County jurisdiction and not located within the City
of Eugene."
Response: The Nemariam Report did not address which local body(ies) have jurisdiction over
Oakleigh Lane, and that factor would not affect the report's assessment of the actual conditions,
capacity, safety or potential impediments present on Oakleigh Lane. The Eugene Planning
Commission is the local decision making body regarding the proposed PUD. Appropriately, the
Nemariam Report's assessment considered for reference those street standards that Eugene's
elected officials have adopted.
• "The roadway was dedicated and improved as a rural access way to LAR standards."
Response: This statement doesn't describe the "LAR standards" or the right-of-way and paving
configuration where those standards are applicable. Thus, it is impossible to verify this assertion
from the information provided.
"The roadway has existed and functioned in its currently capacity for the entirety of its
existence."
Response: This statement doesn't consider the roadway's "capacity" for a proposed
development of 29 new dwellings at its terminus, and is not a factor that would affect the
SABA, C.E.S. - Beaverton, OR 503-888-7553 sabaces100@gmail.com
Oakleigh Lane. Eugene, Oregon
April 18, 2017
Page: 3 of 5
Nemariam Report's assessment addressing future conditions. Nemariam Report, pages 1 and 2.
Furthermore, there is no indication of the compromised safety due to an emergency to all
residents (existing and future) due to limited width of roadway and added traffic and future
need for on street parking.
• "There is no indication the roadway is substandard because it currently meets the rural LAR
standards of Lane County."
Response: This statement again doesn't describe the "LAR standards" or the right-of-way and
paving configuration where those standards are applicable. Thus, it is impossible to verify this
assertion from the information provided.
The third paragraph of Mr. Gillespie's memo provides the following assertions. My response follows
each, in turn.
"Intermittent parking is a common feature City wide and acts as a built-in traffic calming feature
on most local urban roadways."
Response: This statement does not distinguish between roadways configured with parking
lanes, and those - like Oakleigh Lane - without a parking lanes. Nemariam Report. Pages 4
(Table 1), 6 and 9. This statement does not address the impediment arising from legal parking
that occurs on the paving within the right-of-way, thus obstructing the 14-foot paving that's
available for emergency response. As a general statement, that does not seem to take into
account the specific conditions on Oakleigh Lane. This statement would have no effect on the
Nemariam Report's analysis or conclusions.
"The applicant's engineer has provided testimony and analyses for roadway operations and
safety, including evidence and analyses demonstrating the roadway has adequate capacity to
serve existing and proposed development also provided discussion and evidence supporting
the roadways adequacy for basic ingress and egress to the development site, for all modes of
travel [also] indicated the lack of the urban features should not be interpreted as being unsafe
or inadequate."
Response: These statements do not provide any specific citation to the evidence or conclusions
provided in testimony of the applicant's engineer. Thus, it is impossible to verify the various
assertions from the information provided. I note that "adequacy for basic ingress and egress"
does not address the ingress and egress of emergency response vehicles. In addition, "lack of
urban features" is irrelevant and, appropriately, was not a factor in the Nemariam Report's
assessment.
The Nemariam Report's analysis, based on a site visit and extensive evidence, concluded the
following:
"As shown on the photos near the fire hydrant, the available roadway width of less than
20-foot will not provide enough room for firefighters to efficiently set up and use their
equipment." Page 8. This can be further complicated during inclement weather
conditions or unforeseen emergencies.
"This 1,000-foot long dead-end street lacks connectivity to other city streets to
efficiently and safely accommodate access to proposed PUD site by emergency fire and
medical services vehicles." Page 10.
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Oakleigh Lane. Eugene, Oregon
April 18, 2017
Page: 4 of 5
"The safe and unimpeded ability of emergency response vehicles to traverse this
extensive length of substandard roadway cannot be ensured without improvements
identified elsewhere in this report." Page 10.
"The 250-foot segment of Oakleigh Lane has a pavement width within the public right-
of-way of only 14 feet, more-or-less. This narrow pavement width cannot provide safe
and unimpeded two-way travel for emergency vehicles attempting to reach the
proposed PUD site and/or transit from the PUD site to a hospital." Page 11. - This can be
further complicated with random parked vehicles of various sizes, and manner of
parking along the way
"The 250-foot segment has a right-of-way of 20 feet and a pavement width, exclusive of
shoulders, of approximately 14 feet. Due to the limited right-of-way it would be
impossible to provide the required 26 feet road width at the fire hydrant unless
additional areas were dedicated or an easement provided." Page 11.
"Oakleigh Lane, in the configuration approved by the EPC, cannot safely accommodate
emergency response vehicles because of the potential for parked vehicles to obstruct
the travel lane." Page 14.
Mr. Gillespie's memo provides no specific evidence or analysis that would contradict these
conclusions.
• "The applicant examined the crash history of the entire roadway and concluded there is no
evidence that would indicate a safety issue."
Response: While this evidence would be relevant to determining how Oakleigh Lane can
perform under existing conditions, it does not address future conditions under which fire trucks
and other emergency response vehicles would be forced to traverse a potentially obstructed,
250-foot segment of 14-foot-wide paving within the 20-foot right-of-way in order to protect 29
new dwellings at the end of the road.
• "City staff concurs with the applicant's engineer and finds the existing Oakleigh Lane to be
adequate to serve the development site."
Response: This conclusion is supported only by other non-specific statements within Mr.
Gillespie's memo; and, as noted earlier, the memo provides no actual data or analysis from the
referenced applicant engineer's report. As such, it does not provide any independent testimony
that would warrant any revision to the Nemariam Report's analysis or conclusions.
Comments by Mark H. Dahl
Mr. Dahl makes two assertions, which I address in turns:
"1. The existing Oakleigh Lane in and of itself does not exhibit si ni icant risk to emergency
response actions." (italics and underlining in original)
Mr. Dahl provides only two assertions in support of this conclusion:
• An existing fire hydrant provides the required water supply for firefighting capability.
• Current fire code requirements for width could not be imposed for the lane itself.
The first bullet item does not address the safety of Oakleigh Lane, and the Nemariam Report's
assessment did not address the sufficiency of water supply.
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Oakleigh Lane. Eugene, Oregon
April 18, 2017
Page: 5 of 5
The second bullet item addresses a legal question, which, appropriately, the Nemariam Report did not
address in its assessment.
Neither of these statements address the actual conditions, capacity, safety or potential impediments
present on Oakleigh Lane. Note that the "existing fire hydrant" mention in Mr. Dahl's comments is
actually inside the right-of-way and constitutes a physical obstruction that may impede emergency
access. Nemariam Report, pages 5 (Table I), 8,12 and Exhibits C, D.1 and F.1.
"2. The proposed development accounts for actual safety improvements regarding emergency
response for both fire related and medical related responses." (italics and underlining in
original)
In support of this conclusion, Mr. Dahl provides three assertions, all regarding provisions for
improvements entirely on the proposed development site:
An on-site "hammerhead" turnaround for used by emergency vehicles
An on-site fire access lane
• Sprinkler systems within the proposed dwellings on the site
While all of these items provide safety features on the development site, none of them address
conditions on Oakleigh Lane.
In conclusion, there is nothing in Mr. Dahl's comments that would warrant any revision to the Nemariam
Report's analysis or conclusions.
Summary
Based on the review of the Nemariam Report and the two documents cited above, it is my professional
opinion that neither document provides relevant, substantial evidence that would contradict the
conclusions in the Nemarian Report.
Providing additional housing for a community is a priority for many cities and counties to meet the
growing demand. That, however, must be done in a responsible way so the safety and well being of the
existing and future residents of an established community is not compromised.
It is also my independent, professional opinion that the Nemarian Report provides reliable, substantial
evidence and expert analysis that supports the conclusions in the report.
SABA, C.E.S. - Beaverton, OR 503-888-7553 sabaces100@gmail.com
EXP: June 2018