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A SWINGING NIGHT FOR SOME KARAOKE
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL PASSES MIDDLE HOUSING ORDINANCE
BY BRANDON ROTH • TWITTER @BSTEEL_R
BY ALEXIS WEISEND • TWITTER @WEISEND_ALEXIS
Baltimore Heritage // Creative Commons
The Eugene City Council passed an ordinance implementing middle housing code amendments required by House Bill 2001 in a May 24 special meeting. The bill — which was passed in 2019 — requires cities with populations of over 25,000 to allow duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, cottage clusters and townhouses in residential areas typically zoned for single-family homes. Municipalities had until June 30 to incorporate this allowance into their zoning codes. Exactly how Eugene should implement the amendments has been a divisive topic for the community and city councilors, causing Eugene to lag behind cities like Springfield and Bend in adopting the amendments. After 10 months of discussion with the public, the council decided on the final language of the ordinance in the special meeting before passing it unanimously. “We have a lot of work to do with our community to bring everyone on board with the work that you’ve done,” Mayor Lucy Vinis said, “And I have hope that this ordinance will in fact enable us to build much more of the housing that we need in this community and that we will see progress.” Kaarin Knudson, UO architecture and urban design instructor and Better Housing Together founding director, said she was part of a statewide technical advisory committee that developed the regulatory structure for the bill. She said she is happy with the council’s final decision. “The reality is it will take a long time for us to see this new housing built in Eugene,” she said, “But passing this ordinance locally is a really important step for meeting our current housing needs and really planning for housing needs of the future.” Eugene’s ordinance largely matches the minimum standards set by the state and the Planning Commission’s recommendations except for creating smaller minimum lot sizes, allowing taller buildings, incentivizing parking reduction near EmX transit and increasing the maximum lot coverage from 50% to 60%. Originally, the city council was considering a maximum lot coverage of 75%, as recommended by the Planning Commission. However, it settled on PA G E 4
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After months of public comments, the council finally decided on an ordinance with a maximum lot coverage of 60% rather than 75% as recommended by the planning commission. 60% due to community concerns and to be consistent with the maximums set by cities like Springfield. Those concerns largely revolved around increased lot coverage reducing tree canopy and impacting urban heat islands. Before the councilors decided on 60% maximum lot coverage, Councilor Mike Clark said he wanted to adopt the minimum state requirements from the beginning and suggested 50% lot coverage as an alternative to 75%. “If we go through appropriate tree protection in the fall, I may be willing to revisit this at 75%,” Clark said. Councilor Jennifer Yeh said she thinks 50% maximum lot coverage would be a mistake and wouldn’t actually protect trees. “If we want to make protections for trees, make protections for trees rather than getting at it in this sideways way that might not actually do that," Yeh said. Councilor Greg Evans suggested two changes in an email to councilors after hearing community concerns about sufficient infrastructure and protecting the Willamette River. Clark said Evans’ concerns around infrastructure parallel his and the city should adopt the minimum standards so the council can discuss these concerns after. Evans decided not to put forth the motions but asked to submit them at a later time. Knudson said she wishes the council would have done more to exceed the minimum standards. “One of the things that I think was lost at the end of this process with so much concern raised very late in the process is that many people would have liked to have seen Eugene be even more innovative, and go further with this work,” she said. Knudson said the Planning Commission’s recommendations were already the product of careful analysis and compromise. “Many mission-driven, affordable housing providers would have liked to have seen us go even farther with this work,” she said. “Certainly relative to diversity and vitality within neighborhoods, there's more that we could have done with this work, but we'll get there in the future.”
Frankie Kerner // Daily Emerald 2019
At these two local karaoke spots, DJs and community members look forward to a weekly evening of humor, entertainment and unexpected talent.
Singing to a popular song and dancing among friends is an expressive, carefree and safe way to fool around in college. At Agate Alley Bistro and Rennie's Landing, karaoke nights are a big deal every week. As the sun goes down, a swarm of people rush into both restaurants and put their names on the list for the DJ. The anticipation of waiting for one’s name is nothing to be nervous about. Community members and students alike support each other through their performances. It is all good fun to let loose and sing for a welcoming audience. Agate Alley Bistro: a cozy lounge This bar and restaurant is a quirky space with mix-matched paintings, retro furniture and colorful wallpaper. It is located at 1461 East 19th Avenue and it is a cozy space filled with natural temperature lights for friend groups to relax. From 8 p.m. to midnight on Sundays, karaoke night brings a mix of regulars and newbies. The restaurant only accepts minors until 10 p.m. but they are allowed to stay if they are participating in karaoke. After a few drinks for the 21 and over patrons, the barrier to being embarrassed is no longer an issue. As the night progresses, strangers walk up to you to crack jokes or encourage you to sing their favorite song. Breanna Urbanec, the owner of Breezy Bee Entertainment, has been hosting karaoke night at Agate Alley Bistro since 2014. Urbanec said the regulars have been coming to this event before she started working at the venue. Urbanec is impressed by the city’s hidden talent and is always surprised by the performer’s ability to create a “good atmosphere.” Agate Alley Bistro is a good location for Urbanec because there is a consistent group of people that continued to appear even during the pandemic. “There is a combination of student community members and neighborhood people,” Urbanec said. “You've got your local artists, a lot of the actors and singers from the local community or former civil rights activists. And then you've got your other side where there's a lot
of computer tech. It's very wideranging and varies week to week. It’s awesome.” Kalaundra Anderson, a UO sophomore secondary education and fine art student, said they have been going to karaoke night with friends for the past five weeks and enjoyed making a tradition out of it. Anderson appreciates the neighborhood aspect of the restaurant because it has a “warm light and cozy ambiance.” Anderson said no one has to be professional to sing, and it is just as valid to be a spectator while there. “It’s the best karaoke place I've ever been to,” Anderson said. “It’s a sweet atmosphere where everyone's kind and cozy together while singing. It's not nerveracking at all.” Rennie's Landing: an outdoor party Located on Kincaid Street across from the University of Oregon main campus, this bar and restaurant is a gathering place for students to let loose - only in a well-mannered way of course. At 8 p.m. on Monday nights, when minors are asked to leave, karaoke night kicks off on their secondlevel outdoor patio. Although it may seem slow when the event begins, wait until 9:30 p.m. for large student groups to trickle in. Jared Ritzer, the owner of Caught in the Act Entertainment, has been hosting at Rennie’s for the past couple of years. Ritzer said Rennie’s is a perfect location for karaoke because it is a historic building with a long history for alumni and current students to build memories. “Rennies is a big giant party,” Ritzer said. “People are elbow to elbow. It's tons of fun, and there are lots of groups singing.” Ritzer believes karaoke brings people “out of their shell.” Ritzer said his reputation of fun among UO students has kept his business consistent throughout the pandemic. The local karaoke scene in Eugene is worth exploring. Nobody is there to judge one's vocal skills. It is a time to burn off some frustrations and meet people from all walks of life. Who doesn’t want to be cheered for free?
