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5. OTHER RELATED ISSUES <br /> Relationship to West Eugene Wetlands Mitigation Bank <br /> The parcel may be suitable for enhancement and restoration as part of the West Eugene Wetland <br /> Mitigation Bank. Such an acquisition may be used to offset development on another wetland <br /> parcel and help provide additional acreage to the Bank. <br /> Relationship to Other Development Requirements (setbacks) <br /> One method to obtain preservation of land which is well suited for conservation, but is in private <br /> ownership and subject to development, would be to require development setbacks. These <br /> setback requirements would prevent development within a specified distance from an identified <br /> conservation feature, such as a creek. A drawback is that property owners may violate the <br /> setback requirements. Thus, some form of City enforcement authority would be needed to <br /> ensure compliance with any use restrictions on privately owned land for the purpose of natural <br /> area protection. <br /> An additional drawback of attempting to protect natural resource areas through private ownership <br /> is that public access may be limited. As this may reduce a site's educational and recreational <br /> opportunities, it may be desirable to obtain public access easements for these areas. <br /> Public Utility Easements <br /> Another issue is the granting of public utility easements across a City owned natural area. An <br /> easement could be allowed so long as the utility infrastructure placed in the easement would not <br /> significantly impact or detract from the natural values of the site. Easements should not be <br /> allowed across these parcels if a significant negative impact on the natural value or public <br /> enjoyment of the site will result. <br /> CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> Natural resource values, maintenance, usage, and funding issues associated with the acceptance <br /> of non - developable parcels have been discussed in the proceeding paper. Hopefully, this <br /> discussion has shown that these lands can be a valuable asset to the City as natural park areas and <br /> wetlands, or just as easily, a relatively undesirable liability if significant negative factors are <br /> overlooked. <br /> Conclusions <br /> 1. Parcels considered for donation to the City as open space, parkland, or natural areas should <br /> first be evaluated to determine their suitability and value before acceptance by the City. <br /> 2. There are a number of factors that need to be considered prior to any decision on acceptance <br /> 7 <br />