Item B: Minor Land Use Code Amendments

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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY c Work Session: Minor Land Use Code Amendments Meeting Date: October 12, 2005 Department: Planning and Development www.eugene-or.gov Agenda Item Number: B Staff Contact: Steve Nystrom Contact Telephone Number: 682-8385 ISSUE STATEMENT A work session on the proposed minor amendments to the Eugene Land Use Code (Chapter 9) will be held by the City Council in preparation for the public hearing on October 24, 2005. BACKGROUND Four years ago, the City of Eugene completed a comprehensive update of its Land Use Code (LUCU). Throughout the adoption process, it was recognized that this new Land Use Code should not remain a static document. In 2003 (FY04), the City Council directed staff to bring back a list of potential improvements to the Land Use Code. Following City Council adoption ofLUCU, the City has monitored how the Land Use Code has been working. Not surprisingly, staff, applicants, citizens and design professionals have identified specific elements which need attention. Staff has been maintaining a log of these concerns, which at present, amount to approximately 200 separate items. Many of these concerns are minor in nature, but cumulatively, they pose a significant challenge in the administration of the Land Use Code. The remaining items constitute more significant concerns regarding the function or purpose of a particular requirement. Given the volume of items and limited resources, staff proposed a two-phased approach. Phase 1 of this process (Minor Fixes) attempts to resolve conflicts, gaps or ambiguities which can be addressed in a fairly simple process without raising substantial policy concerns. Phase 2 (Key Amendments) will potentially include more significant amendments. Given the policy implications associated with the Key Amendments, a comprehensive process including extensive public outreach will be implemented for that phase. That phase will be initiated upon completion of Phase 1. Over the past several months, the Planning Commission held a series of study sessions to determine which potential amendments should be included in this "Minor Fixes" phase. Examples of the proposed Minor Fixes include: . Clarifying specific definitions and terms; . Filling in missing code provisions such as bike and vehicle parking requirements for specific uses; . Clarifying requirements related to certain commercial and residential development standards; and . Updating procedural requirements for land use applications consistent with recently adopted State laws. L\CMOI200S Council AgendaslMOSI012lS0S1012B.doc