Lookout PM: East Campus land-use changes

Good evening,

Grace Chinowsky reports from the Eugene City Council on Monday, where councilors voted 5-3 to approve land-use changes allowing the University of Oregon to build more student housing where the eastern edge of campus bumps up against a residential neighborhood. Fairmount Neighbors, the sanctioned neighborhood association for the area, has been fighting the proposal and is expected to appeal to the state Land Use Board of Appeals.

Three environmental groups want a judge to halt a logging operation southwest of Eugene, contending the Bureau of Land Management is allowing 250-year-old trees to be illegally cut. Ashli Blow has the story.

Springfield city councilors and the mayor showed some support for a proposed indoor multisport facility that Travel Lane County would like to have built. The tourism agency says it would draw visitors, especially during slower winter months. One proposed location is the old Royal Caribbean building in Springfield. Lillian Schrock-Clevenger reports.

Tanner Scott Scholer, 22, was arrested, police said, after the car he was driving the wrong way in westbound lanes of the Beltline collided with an Oregon State Police vehicle on Sunday night. Jaime Adame has the details.

Donald Riley Nelson, 26, was booked into jail Monday on suspicion of an April 22 stabbing. On the night of the attack, police had shut down Washington Street near 12th Avenue for several hours while searching for a suspect. Jaime Adame has the story.

Today’s batch of letters to the editor:

Elliott Harwell of Springfield writes that Sean VanGordon is a quiet workhorse and deserves to be elected the Lane County Board of Commissioners.
Isabel Caldwell says Eugene needs younger leaders and she support Athena Aguiar for Eugene City Council Ward 5 seat.
CPA Glenn Munro of Eugene supports John Barofsky for the Eugene City Council Ward 3 seat because of his understanding of the city budget.
Holly Mar Conte of Eugene also supports Barofsky because of his budget knowledge and other experience.
Dylan Plummer of Eugene prefers Jennifer Smith for the Ward 3 seat, writing that Smith knows how to lead and stand up to powerful organizations.
Annie Heron of Eugene also is supporting Smith, writing that Smith “gives me hope for the future.”
Luke Habberstad of Eugene urges voters to support a group of local state legislators who helped defend UO employees against cuts.

You can catch up on previous election-related letters to the editor on our website.

Election guide:

And we have gathered all our election reporting on one page over on our website if you want to read up on candidates or ballot measures. These election stories are all free, so browse all you want, even if you are not a member. Ballots are due May 19.

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DAILY DIGEST

Eugene council OKs land-use changes, allowing UO’s East Campus expansion

By Grace Chinowsky

A divided Eugene City Council approved changes proposed by the University of Oregon for student housing where the eastern edge of campus bumps up against a residential neighborhood. The Fairmount Neighbors Association is expected to appeal the decision.