Item C: Adoption of Ordinances Concerning Plan Designations for River Ridge

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Adoption of Ordinances Concerning the Plan Designations for the “River Ridge” Site to the Low Density Residential Designation Meeting Date: November 23, 2009 Agenda Item Number: C Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Emily Jerome www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541/682-5010 ISSUE STATEMENT The entire River Ridge site is located within the urban growth boundary, with a portion located inside the City limits and a portion located outside the City limits. The City has sole jurisdiction to approve the proposed changes in Plan designation for that portion of the site located within the City limits; both the City and Lane County must approve Plan designation changes for that portion of the site located outside the City limits. On November 9, the City Council approved a single ordinance, pertaining to the entire River Ridge site (those portions inside and outside the City limits). At its next meeting, on November 16, the City Council passed a motion to reconsider the combined ordinance approved on November 9, so that staff could instead divide the proposal into two separate ordinances: one ordinance pertaining to the land within the City limits (over which the City has sole jurisdiction); and the other pertaining to the portion of the site located outside of the City limits (over which the City and County have joint jurisdiction). BACKGROUND On November 9, the City Council approved an ordinance returning the Metro Plan and Willakenzie Area Plan designations for the River Ridge site to the Low Density Residential designation. The River Ridge site is partially located within the City limits, and partially outside the City limits. In accordance with Metro Plan procedures, the City’s approval is required for the entire site (the portions located inside and outside City limits). For the portions of the site located outside of the City limits, Lane County must also approve. The City’s November 9 action passed a single ordinance that pertained to the entire site. On November 10, the Lane County Board of Commissioners held its deliberations to consider the proposal for the portion of the site located outside the City limits. The County Board postponed further consideration until February 24, 2010, with direction that the City submit a traffic study of the area. To provide the requested traffic study and to address other procedural issues, the evidentiary record would need to be reopened for that portion of the site located outside the City limits. This would require a new public notice and opportunity for additional public participation. Because the City acted through a single ordinance, the County’s actions have the consequence of impacting the entire proposal – even the area inside the City limits over which the City has sole jurisdiction. In a memo dated November 12, 2009, it was advised that, in order to ensure the effectiveness of the City Council’s November 9 action for the portion of the site located within the City limits, the council should separate its previous approval into two parts: one ordinance pertaining to the land within the City limits Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M091123\S091123C.doc