Various versions of possible development plans are applied for. Each one ensures that: “Some of the site will be set aside as Common Area, including most of the wetlands that have been identified at the parcel. Other wetlands at the site will be preserved for aesthetic values and water quality/quantity management functions as open waterways…. Two of the road crossings have been designed to allow for small animal passage.” Trees to be preserved are identified. Final plan = 27 single family homes. Click here to see site plan.
Piculell continues to apply and pay for extensions to keep approved plan active.
Arthur Piculell passes away. The land becomes part of the Piculell Foundation Trust administered by Al Lundstrom in Phoenix, AZ. An application is filed showing a completely new plan with 30 lots and no Randy connection. The plan is filed under the Needed Housing codes which require that 40% of the land must be open space. Opposition to plan is high as open space is to be private not public. Click here to see proposed site plan.
Plan is approved with 16 conditions. Developer appeals 2 of the conditions to the Land Use Board of Appeals and loses.
Needed Housing codes revised and rebranded as Clear & Objective. 40% open space requirement is removed.
New Middle Housing Law permits up to 4 units per lot. Minimal codes for parking, fire protection, traffic studies, etc. Developer reapplies under revised codes.
April 13: New plan is presented to neighbors during required meeting held at Churchill HS. Neighbors express numerous objections but are told there won’t be any compromises. Several neighbors who are frustrated at the apparent lack of plans to preserve any trees as well as any of the other issues residents expressed decide to have their own meeting.
May 2: First meeting of concerned neighbors. They decide to continue to meet and work on a plan to purchase the property to prevent further poorly planned development attempts.
August 29: Save Videra Oak Meadow files articles of incorporation as a public benefit corporation with the state of Oregon. A board of directors is voted on and installed.
SVOM begins organized efforts to keep residents informed, research building codes in order to be able to better argue against approval of the development by the city, and gauge interest in purchasing the property in order to preserve the existing ecosystem, oak savanna, and wetlands. The board votes to negotiate an agreement with Eugene Parks Foundation to assist as a fiscal sponsor.
A feasibility study is done showing 85% of those surveyed support the concept of purchasing to preserve.
April: Initial application for development expires due to developer not completing the application process by deadline.
Notice is received that the developer has applied for wetland mitigation via a Joint Application with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Oregon Dept. of State Lands, and Dept of Environmental Quality. Comments are solicited and SVOM alerts supports. Over 50 comments are submitted within a 48-hour period.
May 7: Developer’s representatives hold a second neighborhood meeting to begin new application process at Living Hope Church. Attendees are unhappy with the lack of tree protection (especially trees 150-300 years old), lack of secondary access for emergency and fire vehicles, potential for blocked streets with skinny private streets, lack of a traffic study in the case of middle housing, grossly poor planning for stormwater detention, and the unwillingness of the developer to budge on anything.
Summer: SVOM begins outreach campaign, holding tent events to get the word out about the development plans and sign residents up for our email list.
An attorney is retained to represent SVOM and assist in the legal processes. Informational emails go out to help residents effectively submit testimony against the application for development or testify via Zoom during the hearing.
June 25: SVOM is officially declared a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations to SVOM are tax deductible.
July 10: Hearing in front of Hearings Official via Zoom regarding the PDT (Planning Development Tentative) and ST (Subdivision Tentative) applications.
September 6: Hearing Official issues decision denying application stating, among other things, that the city and developer failed to prove the property is Goal 5 and therefore the applicant failed to fulfill the requirements of the Tree Protection/Removal codes, and the Geotechnical & Geological Analysis codes. The Hearings Official also denies any development above 901’ elevation per the South Hills Study codes.
Fall: Developer appeals denial to the Eugene Planning Commission, which is a volunteer citizen board advised by a city attorney. Eugene Planning Division disagrees with Hearings Official on the issue of Goal 5 and recommends the Planning Commission overturn the Hearings Official’s denial of the application but approves the conditions that construction above 901’ be denied and Randy Lane be a public street.
January 14: Hearing via Zoom in front of Eugene Planning Commission. SVOM is well represented, not only by our attorney, but also by the more than 60 supporters who either spoke, submitted testimony, or attended the hearing.
February: The city attorney leads the Planning Commission during deliberations and advises them to agree with City Planning and overturn the Hearings Official’s denial. The application is approved with conditions.
March: The developer appeals to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) over some of the conditions. SVOM files as an intervenor to argue the Goal 5 ruling.
June: SVOM picnic with guest speaker Gabe Yospin, PhD, who gives a presentation on wildfire behavior and oak savanna.
July: Developer withdraws from the appeal to LUBA resulting in the end of SVOM’s intervenor status. The application as it stands is approved with conditions, including Randy as a public street and no construction above 901’ in elevation.
September: DEQ posts a Proposed Mutual Agreement and Order (MAO) for Braewood Hills Final Phase in response to the developer’s application for a 401-Dredge and Fill Project permit.
Developer files application for Planned Unit Development Final (PDF), Standards Review (SDR), Subdivision Final (SF).
October: SVOM supporters submit responses in objection to the proposed MAO and asking for a public hearing.