Ask Eugene

The Skinner Butte summit parking lot has reopened to vehicles.

This summer, the lot was closed to reduce fire risks and address concerns about illicit activities in the area. During that time, many community members shared that they felt safer with limited vehicle access, asking to keep it that way.

In response, we are considering restricting motorized vehicle access to the summit from Tuesday through Saturday, with access open on Sundays and Mondays.

Take a quick 2-minute survey to share your thoughts on the proposed changes: surveymonkey.com/r/skinnerbutte. Survey closes October 31.

When looking at the possible social and economic impacts of the Cascadia earthquake and tsunami, it is important to know how to properly prepare but also understand what to do in the event of the earthquake and what recovery looks like. The City of Eugene Emergency Plans page outlines the Emergency Operations Plan and the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, both of which are great resources to better understand how the city plans to prepare and respond to emergencies. 

As for individual/community preparedness, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) website and Ready.gov are great resources. Ready.gov has a structured “before, during, and after” that gives a great general overview of how to best prepare, adapt, and recover from earthquakes. OEM outlines Cascadia Subduction Zone specifics such as preparedness strategies for individuals, communities, and businesses, as well as the history of the subduction zone, and sources for people to map their area.

Thank you for letting us know of these concerns. The Police Department did get reports of similar behavior in another area nearby. We are sharing this with our Traffic Safety Unit. If this occurs again, please report it to the non-emergency line at 541-682-5111. 

Hi Classwar,

Thank you for your question and we’re sorry to hear of your frustrations. Here is some general information about Short-Term Rental regulations in Eugene.

After a thorough community process that included a representative ad-hoc committee, a community open house and community survey the Eugene City Council adopted an ordinance in 2020 that requires all short-term rentals (STRs) in the City of Eugene to register annually. This required registration helps the City with data tracking to better understand the quantity of STRs in Eugene as well as provides a local contact for each unit if needed. The Committee consisted of 16 community members representing STR owners and operators, impacted neighbors, housing advocates, and special interests for tourism and economic development. If you have a complaint or concern specific to a STR, please contact Code Compliance staff at 541-682-5819 or via email.

Regarding your concerns about overnight camping please know that Eugene does allow overnight camping on residential property in a vehicle, camper, or trailer parked in the driveway of a single family dwelling. Only one camping shelter is allowed and the property cannot require payment for the camping. However, this means that a trailer or camper on residential property cannot be used as short-term rental. This also applies to "tiny houses" that are on wheels and therefore considered a type of camping trailer. Again, if you have a complaint or concern specific to camping, please contact Code Compliance staff at 541-682-5819 or via email.

The transient room tax (TRT) is a 4.5% tax charged on all overnight stays in the city, including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and short-term rentals. Revenue from the TRT helps fund Eugene’s Cultural Services programs and supports tourism and visitor programs in Eugene.

We do monitor the volume of complaints that we receive regarding STRs as well as the general amount of STRs in our community. 

For more information on STRs please visit: https://www.eugene-or.gov/3359/Short-Term-Rentals-in-Eugene or https://www.eugene-or.gov/4301/Council-Review-of-Short-Term-Rental-Regu

The City has multiple initiatives that encourage people to use options other than their private vehicle. Many of them are tied to Vision Zero, which seeks to improve safety; every year we install new elements of active transportation infrastructure so people are able to comfortably walk, bike or roll around the City instead of driving their private vehicles. 

The 50 cent per-ride fee for ridesharing is not a tax. It is a fee designed to pay for the administration of the ridesharing program.

Thank you for your question! Skinner Butte Park is not closed. The upper parking lot is closed, but there are paths for the public to access the summit.

The public will be notified when the lot reopens.

Hi Halebale,

Thank you for your question. That section of land has always been private property. 

Thank you,

Elissa Gavette, Parks and Open Space

Please use our online service request form to report the suspected leak. You may also call 541-682-4800.

https://www.eugene-or.gov/1776/Maintenance-Service-Request

Hi Ken,

Thank you for your message. I'm glad to hear that you've been enjoying Skinner Butte, and I appreciate your creative thinking around future access to the summit. I will share your message with the Parks leadership team. You're always welcome to use this platform to ask questions or you can send direct emails to Parks and Open Space at pos@eugene-or.gov. 

Thank you,

Elissa Gavette, Parks and Open Space

Thank you for the question. The City of Eugene does not issue a general business license to all businesses operating in Eugene. The business license office only regulates licenses for certain business activities, like payday lenders, public passenger vehicles, recycling and solid waste, and alcohol/tobacco sales. Here’s the City’s webpage on Business Licenses: https://www.eugene-or.gov/820/Business-Licenses

The City of Eugene does regulate permitted uses based on the Land Use Code in Chapter 9: https://eugene.municipal.codes/EC/9. When an applicant applies for a development permit regarding a new business, the City’s Land Use Team confirms that the proposed use is permitted by the zoning of the subject properties. The properties along West 6^th and 7^th Avenues are primarily zoned C-2 Community Commercial. Per the use table at Eugene Code (EC) 9.2160, Service Stations (including quick servicing) are a permitted use. The commercial zone use table can be found here: https://eugene.municipal.codes/EC/9.2160.

The City's Economic Development team is invested in growing existing businesses, expanding employment opportunities, and helping small businesses thrive. Our Business Growth Loan provides much needed capital for businesses that struggle to borrow from conventional lenders. Since 1984, we've provided over 22 million dollars in low interest loans to around 250 local businesses. Our loans are meant to support local businesses looking to grow their operations and create new jobs. Sweet Life Patisserie,  New Day Bakery, Bike Friday, Off the Waffle, and The Barn Light are just a few of the local businesses we've supported. 

We also invest in local business incubator programs like Plaza de Nuestra Comunidad's Cambios program for aspiring business owners. The Cambios program provides one-on-one business coaching and helps local entrepreneurs turn their business dreams into reality. Our microenterpise granting program has helped launch many small Eugene businesses and, most recently, 14 new in-home daycares.

Feel free to reach out to our business liaison, Michael Bradley (mtbradley@eugene-or.gov) if you have further questions or know of a local business that could benefit from our programs.  

Thanks,

City Staff