Planning Commission

SUMMARY MINUTES Study Session Eugene Planning Commission Eugene City Hall, Council Chamber – 777 Pearl Street March 14, 2006 5:30 p.m. PRESENT: Mitzi Colbath, President; Jon Belcher, Phillip Carroll, Phillip Hudspeth, John Lawless, Randy Hledik, members; Kent Kullby, Steve Nystrom, Gabe Flock, Planning and Development Department; Charles Solin, Human Resource & Risk Services. ABSENT: Rick Duncan, Vice President; Mike Sullivan, ex officio. STUDY SESSION TO REVIEW AGENDA OF MARCH 14, 2006 Street Name Change from 3RD/4TH Street Connector to Shelton Boulevard (SC 06-1) Lead Staff: Kent Kullby (541) 682-5453 SUMMARY MINUTES – Eugene Planning Commission March 14, 2006 Page 1 Study Session  MINUTES Study Session Eugene Planning Commission Eugene City Hall, Council Chamber – 777 Pearl Street March 14, 2006 5:30 p.m. PRESENT: Mitzi Colbath, President; Jon Belcher, Phillip Carroll, Phillip Hudspeth, John Lawless, Randy Hledik, members; Kent Kullby, Steve Nystrom, Gabe Flock, Planning and Development Department; Charles Solin, Human Resource & Risk Services. ABSENT: Rick Duncan, Vice President; Mike Sullivan, ex officio. Ms. Colbath convened the Planning Commission study session and called for the staff report. STUDY SESSION TO REVIEW AGENDA OF MARCH 14, 2006 Street Name Change from 3RD/4TH Street Connector to Shelton Boulevard (SC 06-1) Lead Staff: Kent Kullby (541) 682-5453 Mr. Kullby stated that the commission would hold a public hearing regarding a street name change promoted by Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House board members, which resulted in a City Council motion to initiate renaming the 3rd/4th Street Connector to Shelton Boulevard. He distributed additional testimony received since preparation of the staff report. The additional testimony consisted of letters from Tom Harding, Albert Poston, Darryl Larson, Robert Hart and Hahn Neimand in favor of the name change. He noted that the packet of testimony also included background information on the Shelton and McMurphey families and historical information about street names in the vicinity of the house. Mr. Kullby advised the committee that while it might receive testimony during the hearing about other alternative street names, the Commission it should be judicious in its consideration and take into account the amount of planning and consideration of names that had already occurred either through the Whiteaker Plan process or through the Road Naming Committee. He noted that the City Council motion to initiate the street name change to Shelton Boulevard did not include an extensive discussion of possible street names. He said that staff hoped that following the public hearing, the Commission would take action on a recommendation to forward to the council. Mr. Hledik said there appeared to be a contradiction in the staff report about whether the council supported the name Shelton Boulevard. Mr. Kullby said his intent was to indicate in the staff report that there was not a lot of discussion. Mr. Nystrom said the Council motion was to initiate the renaming process with Shelton Boulevard in mind but there was no discussion about the merits of that name and that choosing that name in the final decision was not a foregone conclusion. MINUTES – Eugene Planning Commission March 14, 2006 Page 1 Study Session Mr. Hledik asked if the other street with the name Shelton was in honor of Dr. Shelton and if the City had standards for using the terms “boulevard” and “avenue.” Mr. Nystrom said he did not know if Shelton Avenue was named for Dr. Shelton and the City did not have specific standards, but generally speaking boulevard would suggest a larger, more substantial street. Mr. Belcher announced an ex parte contact with Mark Harris, a Lane Community College instructor. Mr. Belcher said he contacted Mr. Harris to research whether Dr. Shelton had been involved with any organizations that could present problems with the street naming. He said there was no evidence of any such associations. He thought the term “boulevard” was pretentious for the street in question. Mr. Hudspeth asked if the City had received any feedback from Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson board members regarding other options for the street name. Mr. Kullby said board members were most interested in the use of an historic name for the street, and board members were prepared to testify at the hearing and could respond to questions. Mr. Flock pointed out that the initial request from Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House had proposed the name McMurphey Way. Ms. Colbath asked what constituted a “way” and was it considered smaller than an avenue. Mr. Nystrom said that the terms were not regulated but the general public’s perception was probably that a hierarchy would place “boulevard” above “avenue” and “way.” Mr. Flock noted that the letter from Tom Harding commented on his perception of the hierarchy and the differences between street types in regards to the historic significance of the term “boulevard.” Ms. Colbath adjourned the Planning Commission study session at 5:50 p.m. (Recorded by Lynn Taylor) MINUTES – Eugene Planning Commission March 14, 2006 Page 2 Study Session