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August 1, 1997 <br /> To: Eugene Planning Commission, City Council, City Manager <br /> From: Frank Drysdale, 912 Van Buren, Eugene <br /> Re: Shaping Eugene's Future, Draft Growth Management Policies. <br /> The Inadequacy of Policy 17 and The Need for Comprehensive <br /> Environmental Review <br /> Environmental quality is the. most important aspect of sound <br /> planning. Policy 17 "Adopt new environmental protection <br /> regulations and practices to improve air and water quality and <br /> protect natural areas of good habitat value" is a good start. <br /> However, it must be extended to developed areas, as well. <br /> Environmental policy and review should be the overarching policy. <br /> For example, while Policy 1 and 2 strive for greater density, <br /> Policy 3 for mixed use, Policy 6 and 14 for dense housing <br /> development, Policy 10 and 15 for nodal development, and Policy <br /> 13 for street improvements actions supporting these policies <br /> should not be undertaken if they do not protect and enhance the <br /> environment. <br /> The exercises leading to the draft recommendations have <br /> endeavored to developed a basis for increased density and nodal <br /> development that has a potential to sacrifice the environmental <br /> quality of the existing urban environment. However, the urban <br /> growth boundary can be maintained without sacrificing <br /> environmental quality. <br /> I feel that Policy 17 should be expanded to encompass a <br /> comprehensive environmental review process. Furthermore, an <br /> expanded Policy 17 should become Policy 1. <br /> Applied conscientiously, this process would include. various <br /> actions that: <br /> 1. Increase information about proposed projects; <br /> 2. Facilitate timely and effective communication; <br /> 3. Enhance citizen participation in decision making; and <br /> - 4. Assure government accountability. <br /> The environmental review process would apply to activities <br /> directly undertaken by the City of Eugene, activities financed in <br /> whole or in part by the City of Eugene, and private activities <br /> which require approval from the City of Eugene. <br /> The purposes of the environmental review process would be to: . <br /> 1. Inform city decision makers and the public about <br /> potential, significant environmental effects of proposed <br /> activities. <br /> 2. Identify ways that environmental damageL,�canibelavoided <br /> or significantly reduced. <br /> AUG - 1 1991 <br />