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DISTR :ci1TED TO: <br /> RECEIVED , <br /> MAYOR s <br /> RV C1TY MANAGER Kate M. Van Rooy <br /> JUL 2 01993 <br /> 1466 Washington , 7401tr�t OR <br /> July 19, 1993 T MGR h- <br /> Eugene City Council <br /> City Hall INFORMATION ONLY . <br /> 777 Pearl Street <br /> Room 105 Conies to:, LILL <br /> Eugene, OR 97401 -- <br /> Dear Mayor Bascom and City Councilors: <br /> I applaud the city council's action to pass an ordinance regulating the removal of mature <br /> trees. A threshold number of ten trees is not overly restrictive. <br /> To achieve long term growth in our community it is essential to preserve the attributes that <br /> support the quality of life that makes Eugene special. The surrounding wooded hills are an <br /> important visual amenity that contributes to our community's natural beauty and character. <br /> It is the council's duty to balance individual property rights with community interests. In <br /> this case, the short term reduction in developer costs and regulation hassle must be weighed <br /> against the long term preservation of community attributes and values. I believe that over <br /> the long haul a beautiful city will grow. We don't need to sell our city short, losing what <br /> brought people here in the fast place, in order to grow. Quality of surroundings contribute <br /> to long term stability, growth and investment as much as tax incentives and other <br /> government tools may inspire short term growth. Developers often have a short term frame <br /> of reference; it is up to government to look to the future and protect our community's long <br /> term interests. <br /> As others have observed, once trees are cut it is many years before they again achieve the <br /> same stature. Treat trees as a community resource to be preserved and carefully managed. <br /> Thank you for this step toward maintaining our urban forest. <br /> Sin ely, <br /> Kate M. Van Rooy <br />