The Eugene City Council has voted to grant a decade-long property tax exemption to an apartment development in the West University district, even though the developers did not meet the minimum requirements stated in city code.

A Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption – or MUPTE – is designed to encourage developments in areas of Eugene targeted for high-density growth.  These tax exemptions are often worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

To be eligible, a project must amass at least 100 points through what’s called the “public benefit scoring system.”  You can get points for things like density, green building, and being part of the neighborhood’s resident parking program.

But The Sequoia Development at 1367 High Street only got 65 point through the system, reason enough for a denial from Councilor George Brown.

“Well you talk about ‘gosh that’s just a technicality.’ Well gee, that’s what land use and codes are.  They are technicalities.  And if you cannot fulfill all the technicalities to get a 10-year property tax exemption, then I don’t think you should get it.  If we go down this road, why not give everybody a MUPTE.”

Councilor Alan Zalenka joined Brown in his opposition.  But the other Councilors present though the project was worthy of the exception in part because it has the approval of the Neighborhood Association and the prospect of construction jobs in the suffering economy.