Item 2E - Appl. for MUPTE (Pat) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Linda (no last name provided) submitted a short email stating that a ten year exemption is too long and 5 years is quite enough. Ms. Cheryl Platt submitted a letter opposing "favors to the big guys" and stating that "MUPTE sounds too much like the politics and economic policies that are going on at the federal level. I'm not comfortable giving corporations special privileges." StaffResponse The ten year tax exemption term is statutory and can not be amended by the City. The MUPTE program is designed as an incentive to encourage new and better quality housing in the core area, in order to meet adopted policy. The program recognizes the long-term community benefit from downtown area housing. The exemption helps to level the playingfield because it is more expensive to build in the core area. The tax exemption, if granted, will begin following completion of the project. RELATED CITY POLICIES MUPTE is enabled by state statute. The City of Eugene has participated in the MUPTE program since 1978. Since that time, eleven requests have been approved (Attachment D). Encouraging housing in the core area is consistent with numerous adopted planning and policy documents. Examples include: The Downtown Plan Policy V. 1 Stimulate multi-unit housing in the downtown core and on the edges of downtown for a variety of income levels and ownership housing. (This proposed project is inside the Downtown Plan boundary and is six blocks from the intersection of Broadway and Willamette) Growth Management Policies Policy 1 Support the existing Eugene Urban Growth Boundary by taking actions to increase density and use on existing vacant land and under-used land within the boundary more efficiently. Policy 2 Encourage in-fill, mixed-use, redevelopment, and higher density development. Policy 3 Encourage a mix of businesses and residential uses downtown using incentives and zoning. West University Refinement Plan (The Patterson House is in this area) V.9 The City will encourage residential uses in all parts of the plan area V. 11 The City and the neighborhood shall study ways to encourage a variety or mix of structure types providing both owner and rental opportunities and appealing to a diverse population. L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M041122\S0411222E.doc