Whilamut CPC, Alton Baker Park - Laserfiche WebLink

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by making the path width 12 feet, but the meanders would be retained, he said he changed his testimony at the MPC meeting to say that he favored voting for the grant authorizing funds for the entire project and he felt he was mislead because the City Manager later said they were not going to retain the present configuration of the path. He said this was very disappointing. Now there were trees marked in the area that said cutting was imminent. Other people have marked the markings saying they do not want the flowering trees and wildflowers cut and he applauded whoever made those marks. He also saw signs put up by the City announcing the cutting, which would happen after February 1, 2012. The unofficial signs said the cutting was being done over the objections of citizens. He said he was also sorry that Parks and Open Space was asked for its opinion by the planning staff and said they were fine with doing what the City wanted with the wider, straighter path. He did not know when the work on the path would get under way, but it appeared the City wanted to cut the trees as soon as possible. Ms. Brand asked why the City's position had changed and Mr. Richardson said he did not know. Mr. Cooper said the City wanted to push the path back from the edge of what city staff maintains is a steep and erosion prone bank of the river. Mr. Richardson said one issue was the desire to build the bike path to the standard the City had adopted. Ms. Brand suggested the matter be taken back to the City Council. She wondered if it was a done deal and in her opinion felt that it needed to be readdressed because the project had been modified from what the CPC recommended. Ms. Behm arrived at the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Mr. Sonnichsen talked about the canoe canal crossing, which was the main east/west path during the bridge construction. In mid - February, the other half of the long beams would be put in place. When that happened there could be up to 20- minute delays on the path and there would be flaggers. Ms. Behm pointed out the area on a map. She said there were curves on both sides of the bike path. She pointed out that the fence shown on the map would go all the way to where the steps descend. She pointed out an area that would have 13 bluestone tiles with camas engravings inset into concrete immediately south of the paved path. They received $140,000 for the community to do restoration in Eugene. Again pointing to a map, Ms. Behm said the area between a path and the running path would be maintained by Willamalane. A part on the North Bank of the Willamette would be maintained by Eugene. There was a small part to be maintained by ODOT. She pointed out the area where the Kalapuya canoe impressions in concrete would be. Design criteria were being put together this week. She said ODOT was paying for this. Ms. Behm then pointed out an area on the map between the bike path and the running path. ODOT was committed to putting down concrete slabs and had committed $25,000 for enhancement. The Design Enhancement Committee had tentatively committed another $50,000. Ms. Behm showed several examples of the types of enhancements being considered. MINUTES -- Citizen Planning Committee for the January 12, 2012 Page 5 Whilamut Natural Area