My husband and I have lived in Corvallis since 1963 with one car. This was possible because my husband biked everywhere - to work, to Philomath, to hospital hill. My son biked to Crescent Valley High School. We believe in biking as alternative transportation.

The city is considering a bike path across Evanite property along the Willamette River, connecting paths to the north and south of the property. The Evanite site is completely within the state Willamette River Greenway and the city's Willamette River Greenway Overlay.

The city notes that "the applicant has indicated that it will grant the city an easement along the river bank within which a multi-use path could be built."

Evanite's attorney writes that "my client reserves the right to withdraw the application or to deny public access to the riverfront property, if either of the applications are denied or if there are material changes or unacceptable conditions imposed upon either of the two applications."

In the two applications, Evanite proposes to reduce the Willamette River Greenway Overlay for nonindustrial land from 100 feet from the top-of-bank to 32 feet. Within that 32 feet, Evanite proposes identification, not construction, of "the location of a path."

The request adds: "should the trail be constructed, the applicant proposes to install a coated chain link fence to prevent trespass onto private property."

Evanite also proposes an exemption from review for Conditional Development, as required by the Willamette River Greenway Overlay, for all portions of the site 200 feet west of ordinary low water line of the Willamette.

Bicyclists should look carefully at this proposal. Changes to the Willamette River Greenway Overlay, requiring setbacks and exemptions to the existing public review process, may be too high a price to pay for the potential of a path connection.

Liz Frenkel of Corvallis is a longtime land-use advocate.