HomeMy WebLinkAboutNews Articles9/17/2018 Public hearing scheduled for Universityof Oregon's north campus development plan
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Public hearing scheduled for University of
Oregon's north campus development plan
By Elon Glucklich
Posted Sep 11, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Updated Sep 11, 2018 at 3:08 PM
The future of the University of Oregon's north campus area is open for
debate.
Members of the public can weigh in Wednesday on the university's long-
term plan to develop the northernmost stretches of UO property, between
Franklin Boulevard and the Willamette River.
The UO will participate in a public hearing on its "north campus conditional
use permit" application in front of a Eugene hearings official, who will
ultimately decide whether to approve it. The hearing is a required part of the
city's planning process before a final land use decision is made.
UO officials see the permit giving the university flexibility in the future to
develop up to 77 acres on the north side of Franklin Boulevard. The
conditional use permit would last for 30 years, but wouldn't cement any
specific building plans. Those would have to be detailed in future building
permit applications.
"The reality is, we have thoughts about what we would potentially want to do,
but we don't have specific plans around how they would come to fruition,"
UO spokesman Tobin Klinger said.
University officials for years have eyed the land covering the Riverfront
Research Park area - rebranded by the UO as North Campus - and adjacent
sports fields as a natural expansion area over the coming decades.
Officials began preparing an application last year for the conditional use
permit from the city, which would allow new construction in the area. The
UO filed the application with the city in February, and the city in July deemed
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9/17/2018 Public hearing scheduled for Universityof Oregon's north campus development plan
the UO's application "complete," setting up the public hearing.
But that just means the city has received all the paperwork it needs from the
university. No decision on the conditional use permit has been made yet.
Community members will have a chance to give public input at the hearing,
Associate City Planner Nick Gioello said. The hearings official has latitude to
set time limits for public comment, he said.
After the hearing, the official can keep the record open for additional
comments or close the record. The official typically makes a decision two
weeks after the record is closed, though his or her decision can be appealed to
the city's planning commission or the state Land Use Board of Appeals.
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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
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University of Oregon officials push for city
approval of north campus plan, while residents
push back
By Elon Glucklich
Posted Sep 13, 2018 at 1:01 PM
Updated Sep 13, 2018 at 6:38 PM
The University of Oregon could find out by November if its expansive and
controversial north campus development plan can move forward.
But UO officials making their case for approval at a Wednesday evening
public hearing got a frosty response from community members, many of
whom accused the university of advancing its plan in secret and risking
environmental harm to more than 5,000 feet of Willamette riverfront
property.
A Eugene hearings official who oversaw the public hearing will have the final
say, likely by Nov. 1. But the battle over the north campus project could go on
far longer if the UO or opponents appeal whatever decision the hearings
official makes.
"We want to connect to the Willamette River," said Michael Harwood, UO
associate vice president for campus planning. "This application will allow us to
make those connections and restore the river's edge for teaching and research
opportunities."
At issue is the UO's conditional use permit application filed with the city of
Eugene in February. The permit would give the UO flexibility in the future
to develop up to 77 acres on the north side of Franklin Boulevard, land
currently occupied by several university buildings and sports fields extending
nearly to the Autzen Footbridge and riverfront. The conditional use permit
would last for 30 years and require the UO to comply with city code as it
develops the area. But it wouldn't cement any specific building plans. Those
would have to be detailed in future building permit applications.
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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
The hearing is a required part of the city's planning process before a final land
use decision is made.
Several dozen residents upset by the UO's push to develop the area took issue
with the 30-year timeline that the UO wants for building out its north
campus plan and with its plan to replace natural grass recreational sports fields
close to the riverfront with artificial turf.
Many also accused the UO of rushing to get city approval before most faculty
and students return for the coming school year.
"Why is this hearing being held two weeks before students and faculty return
to campus?" recent UO graduate Selena Blick asked Wednesday evening.
"Even a perfect plan for today's riverfront likely won't be perfect in 30 years
due changes to the university, our ecological system and even climate."
Concerned residents for months have protested the UO's inclusion of the
northern 42 acres of the site, between the Willamette River and Union
Pacific railroad tracks, in the conditional use permit. Many opponents say
artificial turf fields could leech harmful materials into the river and harm
wildlife habitat along the riverbank.
UO officials say they've carefully studied the issue and plan to create a 200-
foot buffer area between the river and any development, including the turf
fields.
The Willamette River and its associated bank are key habitat for vegetation
and wildlife, and must be preserved accordingly," UO officials wrote to the
city last month. "The proposal seeks to incorporate as much conservation area
and open space as practicable, and support existing wildlife and vegetation
habitat along the river through targeted development and restoration and
enhancement recommendations."
But residents at the hearing urged the hearings official to force the UO to split
its plan into two phases. A second phase that includes construction of new
academic and research buildings should come only after the university
commits to a full restoration of the riverfront, said Allen Hancock, a Eugene
resident who has long battled the UO over issues relating to the riverfront.
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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
"I'd like to think the university is going to comply with this in the future,"
Hancock said, referring to the UO's commitment to enhance riverfront
vegetation and wildlife habitat. "But what's the evidence that's going to
happen? There should be a condition to protect the public interest that the
UO will comply with Eugene (city) code, and be issued a permit only under
the condition that this project is completed in phases, with the first phase
including the removal of blackberry bushes and ivy and restoring the
watershed. Otherwise we have no way to ensure accountability."
Not everyone doubted the UO's plan, however.
The university's pledged restoration of the riverfront could benefit students
with new educational opportunities along the river, said Michelle Emmons,
south valley advocate for the environmental nonprofit organization
Willamette Riverkeeper.
"This project could provide increased community engagement with the
river," Emmons said. "If done right, we believe our community, with the
university, could lead the next generation of riverkeepers and showcase the
next generation of environmental and conservation strategies, and
sustainable community development."
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