Please forward to Dave LaFollette and Keith Heath ASAP.

March 26, 2009

Donna Nowakowski
Code Enforcement Officer- Land Use Management
City of Eugene

Dear Ms. Nowakowski:

The Laurel Hill Valley Citizens support the placement of "Sponsored Campers" on the 21 acre vacant parcel located at the east end of the Valley. As you state in your email to Jan Wostmann (March 24,2009):

"The 21-acre vacant lot west of the intersection of Moon Mountain and Laurel Hill Dr. is privately owned and has had a large number of illegal campers on it and accumulations of garbage and debris. On December 18, 2008, City Land Use staff received a written complaint from an area resident alleging multiple illegal campers on the site and associated negative impacts such as illegal drug use, disorderly conduct, increased neighborhood crime and accumulations of garbage."

This situation has been a challenge for neighbors for years. We appreciate the clean up efforts and welcome a monitoring system to provide needed security for our neighborhood. We support finding a place for the sponsored campers, especially in these hard economic times.

However, Laurel Hill Valley neighbors who are located closest to the Southern boundary have expressed concern regarding the placement of the travel trailer on the north (west) side of Moon Mt. Drive. These are the same neighbors that help monitor the valley entrance when people dump trash or abandoned cars on our road sides. They take pride in the Valley and its appearance, as we all do. Although this location may be the least expensive site for the trailer, it is also located at the entrance to the neighborhood and will be the first thing people see as they drive into the Valley. While visibility may be a deterrent to unwanted campers, it has other impacts for the current residents.

In the spirit of compromise we are asking the land owner to work with the LHVC Neighborhood Association to find locations for the travel trailers that are acceptable to all parties. This will result in "win-win" solution for everyone. Our position fosters the City Council's Neighborhood Empowerment Initiative.

Sincerely,

Laurel Hill Valley Executive Committee
Jan Wostmann - Chair
Jake Bradshaw
Rich Hazel
Betty Hosakawa
Betty Hemmingsen
Sandy Tilcock
Deborah Kelly
Johanna Mitchell
Stephanie Midkiff
Elise Ferrarese