07/26/1982 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilor Schue requested staff comment on density requirements. Mr. Sloat said the document states that the neighborhood goal is to attain four units per acre e as an overall density. Neighborhood goals are not adopted as city policy. The Metropolitan Area General Plan policy of one unit per acre is the policy that is stated in this plan. The neighborhood goal and desire by the planning team and neighborhood association was to have a neighborhood goal of four units per acre. That goal is based on their feeling for the special character of the area as well as slope, vegetation, drainage, and topographic issues taken into consider- ation by the South Hills Study. The South Hills Study would limit almost all the development in the plan area to five units per acre. In reality, the maximum density will be short of five units per acre. The neighborhood goal is intended to recognize the development constraints and the character of the area, and recognize the necessity to make the plan ~onsistent with the Metro Plan. The statement recognizing one to ten units per acre is a policy statement which would be adopted as City policy. Councilor Miller commented that this plan is different from most plans consid- ered. One of those important points is the difference between neighborhood goals and policies. There are a number of statements that are statements of what the neighborhood and Planning Commission want to have happen that do not necessarily fit in with City goals of lower density. There are some other constraints on the density of the area. One of those is the unusual layout of the lots that have been platted, many of which are 66 or 76 feet wide and 300 or 400 feet long. The density will be low unless someone buys a number of lots and replats them. The actual redevelopment potential is lower than it appears. That as well as the slope constraints in the undeveloped part of the valley, tend to make lower density more realistic than it might look like otherwise. Land prices will have to increase considerably to make it worth e someone's while to replat lots. The Metro Plan is still the controlling City policy for the area. As the City Council discussed the Metro Plan, this was one of the areas where it was clear there would be disagreement between the overall public good of increasing urban density, and the wishes of the people in the immediate area not to significantly change the density. The City can work with this as a planning system because the City can anticipate that capital improve- ments and public improvements will be planned for an overall density of five units to the acre. Some developers will develop intensely and some people will continue to live on 1-1/2 acres. Res. No. 3700--A resolution adopting the Laurel Hill Refinement Plan Update. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. Councilor Miller thanked those volunteers who worked on the plan. Councilor Hamel said those who spent much time should not feel it is the end, but the beginning. Input will need to be given to staff and councilors of the area. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 26, 1982 Page 3