02/08/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e agreement on the amendments, the issue will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Policy Committee for conflict resolution. All three elected bodies ultimately need to approve the amendments before they take effect. Ms. Bishow said an appeal of the amendments is likely due to the level of controversy and the diversity of individuals involved. In response to a question from Mr. Holmer, she said any appeal of the amendments would be heard by the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). She said the City is required to forward any proposed plan amendments to the State 45 days prior to the City Council's public hearing. She said the letter from Jim Ross, director of the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), is in response to the referral. She said the letter primarily points out apparent gaps in the evidence supporting the plan amendments. She said it is not a mandate to deny the amendments. Ms. Bishow noted for councilors that verbatim language for the Economy Element text amendments is listed on page 6 of the Eugene Planning Commission's Report. She said the changes indicate that heavy industry is generally more responsive to environmental regulations than it was 20 years ago. In addition, external characteristics of the industry are changing. She said the draft policies and objectives in the report address the issue of encouraging heavy industrial development and the matter of improving railroad access to the sites. Text amendments to the existing Special Heavy Industrial Sites can be found on page 11. Ms. Bishow said the Metro Plan was initially created to address the relocation and expansion needs of existing heavy industrial firms. She said staff was reluctant to create a new category for the UGB amendment because there are already five industrial designations within the metro area. She added staff felt the existing Special Heavy Industrial category had the greatest potential to demonstrate a need for more of this type of land. Ms. Bishow said the item that will likely receive the most testimony is the proposed Urban Growth Boundary expansion for a Special Heavy Industrial Park. She said the amendment calls for annexation prior to development; the park shall be 200 acres with a minimum lot size of 40 acres that will not change following annexation; a comprehensive development plan shall be drafted. She said the industrial park is intended to be a "campus-like" setting for heavy industry that is aethetically pleasing. Ms. Bishow said the Planning Commission is recommending that use of the area north of Awbrey Lane be limited to those industries that are rail dependent. She said the type of uses currently allowed under the category include all primary manufacturing. Staff also feels that some secondary manufacturing, such as furniture producers, can be allowed. She said the council has the option of modifying the amendment to change the interpretation of types of uses. MINUTES--Eugene City Council and Planning Commission February 8, 1988 Page 2