South University Neighborhood Association

South University Neighborhood Association

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Jan 04, 2012

Chair Carolyn Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:20 at the Central Lutheran Church.  Present were Vice Chair Malcolm Wilson and Secretary Mimi McGrath Kato, as well as Board Members, Mike Russo, Bill Aspegren, Marsha Shankman and  Tim Shinabarger.  Pamela Miller, Rebekah Hanley, Ken Johnson, and Mike Westervelt were absent.  The board was joined by Karen Hyatt with the UO.

Karen Hyatt: Karen announced that the Student Off campus housing fair is scheduled for 2/22.  They would love to have neighbors come and participate.  It will be held from 1-6pm in the EMU ballroom.   Karen also announced that her office is getting started on working on the annual day of service and are looking at 4/21as a potential date.  Karen would love to hear of any specific project ideas we have.  Mimi mentioned some work could be done on the hydrants – cleaning up graffiti, removing stickers, repainting a few that need attention.  Mimi will identify hydrants that need work and coordinate with Karen.  Lastly, Karen announced that the UO hired a parking and transportation director, who will work within the Dept of Public Safety.  Her name is Gwen Bolden.  Karen will get in touch with her to extend an invitation to a future board meeting.

Matching Grant:  Carolyn announced that the grant application has moved forward to stage two – Mike will keep us updated.

Position Openings:  Board elections will be held in March.  We currently have one opening (Treasurer), and will have two more openings coming up in March (Secretary and Board Member).  There was also a renewed call for student representation.  Suggestions for recruitment included utilizing Communiversity resource assistants, PPPM class, off campus student newsletters, etc.  Mimi will draft a student recruitment blurb and send to board for review.  Carolyn will look into the requirements around meeting schedules, announcing candidates, etc.   Everyone is asked to identify a few possible new board members.  Carolyn will email the board in two weeks to ask if we have identified candidates.

General meeting format, Mimi:  Mimi made a suggestion for the board to identify a regular general meeting schedule and format for the year.  For example:  Summer Picnic, Fall Open House, Winter Topical meeting, Spring Open House/Elections.  The thinking is that more predictability would help the board with planning and preparation, and would also help build neighborhood awareness of General Meetings.  The board will will talk about and make decisions around this in next month’s meeting.  Board Members are asked to review the Charter at http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_361552_0_0_18/SUNA final charter

Land Use Appeals update, Row houses, R3/R4  Fairmount row house appeal:  the commission agreed with the issue presented by the neighbors, but Bill Kluse, the developer’s attorney, will appeal to the land use board of appeals (state level).  The battle is now between the City and the developer; it is out of neighbors’ hands.  The fact that Fairmount Neighborhood has a refinement plan in place played a very large role in the decision of the Eugene planning commissioner going in favor of the neighborhood.  Mike R. strongly suggested that the work of the SUNA board focus on instituting a refinement plan for our neighborhood in the next year.

The R3/R4 in West University: A developer had requested that several lots he owns be rezoned from R3 to R4 so he could place a large development on the property.  This would allow a density increase and eliminate a buffer area.  These both go against definitions in the West University Refinement Plan (WURP).  As a precedent, it has the effect of making R3 meaningless and that is a problem.  Originally a hearing official ruled in favor of the developer despite the WURP.  The decision was appealed to the Planning Commission and they upheld the hearing official’s ruling.  Paul Conte, Deborah Healey, Carolyn Jacobs and Bill Aspegren are now appealing the case to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). The date to hear the appeal has not been set.  Paul is putting together the appeal with assistance from an attorney in Portland.  As with the Fairmount Row house appeal, this points out that, without a Refinement Plan, SUNA is particularly vulnerable.  For example, an R1 tax lot could be upzoned to R1.5 or R2.  While upzones could be appropriate in some locations, this kind of spot zoning makes long range planning and neighborhood protection impossible.

Bill suggested that SUNA contribute financially to the West University appeal.  There was a motion made, seconded, and unanimously approved to support the appeal financially by providing $250 to the appeal.

Land Use/Neighborhood Summit Update  Carolyn, Bill and Malcolm attended Alan Zelenka’s Neighborhood Summit.  Karen Hyatt was also there.  There were people in attendance from each of the neighborhoods in Alan’s ward, as well as University staff, the mayor, students, etc.  A few ideas of note from the Summit, reported by Bill: 1. Development of student housing in Glenwood and 2. The Eugene Rental Housing Program could be used to enforce land use ordinances.  This program was sun setting and the city council extended it for 9 months to further investigate whether it should be continued.  Malcolm’s perspective was that it is very much up to private citizens to take the initiative on any issues they have.  Karen pointed out that she and Greg sat down with Terri Harding to share with her what they know about some of the issues that University neighborhoods are facing.  A small subgroup made up of SUNA, Fairmount, West University and Amazon representatives decided to start meeting regularly.  Carolyn welcomes anyone to participate in this group – they are meeting tomorrow night.    Mike R also suggested trying to build momentum within the Neighborhood Leaders Council as one way to address these types of issues.

Brainstorming around Neighborhood Protections: How might we better protect the neighborhood?

·         Moratorium on building in the neighborhood

·         Maintain the demographic balance/maintenance of single family residences and owner-occupancy

·         Something that brings assurance of public safety – need to stay on the issue of UO DPS jurisdiction

·         Restrictions on aggregating lots

·         Incentivize certain design standards within the neighborhood (i.e. interior courtyards vs. balconies)

Misc Livability group will meet again in January.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. to meet again in February.

Respectfully submitted, Mimi McGrath Kato, Secretary

NO DECEMBER MINUTES, IT WAS A TABLE FORMAT OPEN HOUSE AT EDISON

South University Neighborhood Association

Board of Directors Meeting  Minutes

Nov 02, 2011

Chair Carolyn Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:05 at the Central Lutheran Church. Present were Secretary Mimi McGrath Kato and Board Members Ken Johnson, Mike Russo, Pamela Miller, Rebekah Hanley, Bill Aspegren, Mike Westervelt. Vice Chair Malcolm Wilson joined late. Marsha Shankman and  Tim Shinabarger were absent.  The board was joined by Karen Hyatt with the UO, and neighbors Al Couper and UO journalism student Deborah Bloom.

Damien Gilbert, Transportation study report  Damien presented the non-vehicular crossings report, which was funded by the neighborhood grant last year.  This version is what Damien called an “80% draft”.  The most substantial outcome of the study is that safety enhancement will be recommended for the intersection of 18th and Harris. Overall, the report details many of the options available for consideration. The UO Infographics Lab will be providing maps for the final report.  Al is interested in providing a report to the next General membership meeting. Damien will provide a PDF of the report to be posted on the SUNA website.

Updates, Carolyn   The upzone appeals meetings were held last night.  It will be about two weeks before there is a decision. Carolyn sent the letter to Jim Fenlon and has not heard a response. Bill reported on six proposed code amendments.  These are all online if anyone is interested in reading in more detail about them.  The content areas of these changes are all multifamily code changes:  open space standards adjustments to remove an exemption for open space and better definitions; setback intrusion limits adjustments; driveways and parking areas amended to no longer allow paving of yards to create parking spaces; how garbage and recycling is screened; transition between R1, R3 and R4 could include a sloped setback; bicycle parking standards. There will be a public hearing on all of these in December.  Bill recommends that we watch this closely and be there to testify as needed on these.

Aaron Dressler, EPD Officer Dressler introduced himself. He’s been with EPD about 2 years an has been working specifically with the UO neighborhoods since January, as the University area liaison.  The primary objectives are underage drinking and loud parties.  He has been working very closely with the new UO substance abuse coordinator, Jennifer Summers.  They have been speaking with other OR universities, Greek organizations, etc., to learn what has worked in other areas.  Part of Officer Dressler’s duties are to make phone calls to follow up on party reports, talk with “problem houses”, speak at fraternities and sororities – essentially taking a preventative approach as much as possible with these issues.

UO, Karen Hyatt Karen updated that a number of joint letters have been sent recently in all three campus neighborhoods.  The UO is doing their part to try to support and work toward a social host ordinance.  The UO still has the Community resource assistant program and is looking for applicants. There is another alcohol use reduction program through the county being put into place now: Strategic Prevention Framework coalition.  This will focus on risk drinking of 18-25 year olds, so naturally will have some focus around campuses.

SB 242 passed and the University will be being asked to assess its own risk. It could be argued that the University may have some level of liability in the behavior of its students off campus.   Malcolm will look into this further and send a draft letter to Rebekah to look over before bein submitted to the University.

Matching Grant – Street Signs, Mike Westervelt Mike has submitted the matching grant.  The estimate is for 25 posts at about $500 each.  Approximately $5,00-7,000 of the budget must me in match dollars. The university will likely be able to contribute substantially to this effort.  It would be great to get the signs installed before the Olympic trials this summer.  Overall, Mike reports that there has been solid support demonstrated for the project so far.

SUNA Mailing and General Meeting Planning Malcolm has arranged for the General Meeting to take place 12/8 7pm at Central Lutheran Church, however there was concern about the location change resulting in decreased attendance.  After some discussion Rebekah volunteered to follow up with Edison and see about holding this meeting there from 6:30 – 8:00pm. There was a motion approved to pay the fee for Edison rental for a 6:30 – 8:00pm meeting.  Rebekah and Mimi will coordinate the meeting.  Rebekah will contact Edison tomorrow to confirm a date, shooting for Thursday 12/8. It will be an open house forum again.  Possible tables may include: Al/Damien on traffic grant; Mike/Jeff on new matching grant; Officer Dressler and UO Substance Abuse person; On the Rocks or another singing group; campus bike registration; code change updates.  Alan Zelenka – Land Use Summit information?

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. to meet again in December.

Respectfully submitted, Mimi McGrath Kato, Secretary