Item B:Ordinance on EWEB Downtown Riverfront Property

Home Browse Search

Following a unanimous recommendation for approval by the Eugene Planning Commission earlier this year, the council has held two work sessions and a public hearing on the land use application package proposed to implement the EWEB Riverfront Master Plan. At the public hearing held on June 17, 2013, testimony was received from 20 individuals in support of the proposal, one individual with neutral comments, and one individual in opposition to the request. Following the public hearing, the council moved to hold the record open for additional testimony and rebuttal. Written testimony received at the public hearing and during the open record period is included as Attachment A. The applicant’s materials in response to the public testimony and the council’s requests for additional information are included as Attachment B. These materials include an updated map showing the master plan’s Open Space Diagram with the proposed Willamette Greenway Setback added, and a memo addressing a variety of issues that have been raised including social equity considerations and natural resource protections. As discussed at prior meetings on this topic, the Eugene Code and Downtown Plan require the City’s approval of a master plan for redevelopment of the EWEB riverfront property. The adopted policy reads as follows: A master plan for the EWEB riverfront property must be approved by the City before any redevelopment, land use application, rezoning, Metro Plan or refinement plan diagram amendments are approved for uses not associated with EWEB functions. The master plan shall be evaluated based on the master plan’s consistency with principles (1) through (4) below: (1) Create a “people place” that is active, vibrant, accessible and multi-use. (2) Provide appropriate setbacks, deeper where environmental or habitat issues are more critical, shallower in other areas. (3) Incorporate appropriate building and site design techniques that address environmental concerns. (4) Incorporate an educational aspect, so that the riverfront improvements teach us about our river, our history and our city. The proposed land use application package is intended to fulfill this policy and to implement the regulations needed to ensure that redevelopment of the site remains consistent with EWEB’s Riverfront Master Plan. Findings addressing these and other applicable approval criteria, including Statewide Planning Goals, the Metro Plan and applicable refinement plan provisions, are included with the draft ordinance in Attachment C. As a reminder, this request is subject to quasi-judicial procedures, which requires that the council’s decision be based upon the applicable approval criteria for each of the land use applications included in EWEB’s request. The draft ordinance and findings, with any directed changes, will serve as the City Council’s demonstration that the proposed applications comply with the applicable approval criteria. S:\CMO\2013 Council Agendas\M130708\S130708B.doc