February General Meeting

Join us on February 9 Tuesday 6:30-8:30PM

We will send out a Zoom link to everyone on the eNews list or contact us at jwneugene@gmail.com for a link and access code.

NOTE: you just be a resident (renters included), property owner, business owner or manager, or director of a non-profit in the JWN in order to vote. Those not previously known to the JWN Board will be required to provide an address.

On the Agenda:

• Discussion of Resolution in support of the old Naval Reserve site (the “Site”) on W. 13^th Ave. for housing that is affordable, safe, and appealing to lower-income families and seniors.
• Vote on resolution
• See the Homelessness, and Supportive and Affordable Housing page.for detailed background.

For consideration at the February 9, 2021 JWN General Meeting

Whereas the highest and best use of the old Naval Reserve site (the “Site”) on W. 13^th Ave. (Tax Map-Lot: 17043642-10400), consistent with the Envision Eugene “Affordable Housing,” “Climate & Resiliency” and “Neighborhood Livability” Pillars, would be for housing that is affordable, safe, and appealing to lower-income families and seniors.

Be it therefore resolved:

The Jefferson Westside Neighbors (the “JWN”) Executive Board (the “Board”) is directed to do the following:

1. The Chair shall immediately provide the Mayor, City Council and City Manager a copy of this resolution; and
2. The Board shall engage JWN members to develop a recommended Process and Charter for amending the Jefferson/Far West Refinement Plan to designate the Site for the purpose of partially or fully subsidized, permanent housing that embodies the following characteristics:
   1. At least 50% of the dwellings are “family-friendly” (aka “child-friendly”), incorporating features specific to the safety, comfort, and healthy development of young children; and
   2. At least 10% of the dwellings support “multigenerational” housing, incorporating features specific to the safety and comfort of individuals, particularly seniors, who volunteer to participate in activities to support families in the housing community; and
   3. Is designed to facilitate safe conditions for:
      1. occupancy by the residents of the multi-household development, and
      2. on-site services by social and medical providers, and

• activities by members of the housing community, particularly under conditions such as those created by Covid-19; and

1. Supports sustainable practices in the construction and operation of the facility and by the daily practices of the residents.

3. The Board shall produce and present to the JWN members an initial draft of the Process and Charter no later than the April 13, 2021.
4. The Board shall advocate in favor of this proposed use of the Site to City officials and community organizations.

Next Steps

If approved, the next actions taken will be:

• The Board will create a plan in the form of a charter document that will include a process with deliverables and identify an implementation team, who will be responsible for implementing the process.
• The Board will invite JWN members to help create the plan.
• The Board and neighbors who help create the plan/charter/process will then recruit the implementation team.
• That implementation team (not the JWN board) will implement the process to draft and carry forward proposed amendments to the  Jefferson/Far West Refinement Plan
• The proposed amendments will finally be brought to the membership for discussion and a vote.

Every year we create a survey to ask about the major concerns, likes, and issues that JWN members have about the neighborhood and what we should be focusing on for the coming year. Give us your feedback and ideas.

N=120

Who took it:

83% owner occupied

17% renter [12% house detached/duplex/triplex, 5% Apartment

18-24

0.83%1

–

25-34

15.83%19

–

35-44

17.50%21

–

45-54

5.83%7

–

55-64

18.33%22

–

65+

41.67%50

 

In general, what are your top public safety concerns as a JWN resident?

#1. Property crime (home/auto burglary)

#2. Property crime (petty theft/bike)

#3. Anti-social behavior (e.g., public drug use, belligerence)

 

In general, what are your top quality of life concerns?

#1. (tie) Litter/vandalism and Illegal Camping (vehicle, open space)

#2. Anti-social behavior (e.g., public drug use/smoking, belligerence)

#3. Cost of living/rent

 

What do neighbors like the most about the JWN?

#1. Central location

#2. Bike/pedestrian friendly

#3. Trees

 

Top ways people here about the JWN?

#1. Mailed Newsletters

#2. eNews

#3. Yard Signs

 

Major Public Safety Concerns (written responses that drew multiple comments)

Homeless camping impacts (trash, human waste, near public spaces, sharps).

Street safety (speed, crossing [W. 11^th , Jefferson] sidewalks)

Word Cloud

 

Quality of Life (written responses that drew multiple comments)

Housing: need more density; we have enough density; housing costs.

Poor pedestrian infrastructure

Crime/trash

Word Cloud

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you like about the JWN?

Billboards: require constant maintenance, vandalism.

Major takeaways from written comments:

Even split for/against density

Top concerns were homelessness/car camping and Street safety (Speed, bike, pedestrian/sidewalks) followed by need for parking control. There is a lot of momentum on street safety, and we suggest we look at sidewalk repairs and reverting W. 11^th and W. 13^th to two-way as projects for 2021/22. This fits with the RPP in progress.

Other concerns voiced by more than one person: Push city to meaningfully address homelessness (ongoing for us) and Emergency preparedness. So, a push on preparedness would be another project.

 

What Should we Work on This Year?