Ordinance No. 20530 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Exhibit B Implementation Strategy by aligning zoning for the subject property with others adjacent and to the south into the downtown core, as well as removing the inconsistency between its use since at least 1966 and its Industrial zoning. The Downtown Plan also establishes the concept of “Great Streets,” including th 5 Avenue. The Plan notes that this street “has its own retail character and historical identity, different from other Great Streets, due to varied building types, setbacks th and activities. Design guidelines for 5 Avenue need to respond to the quirky and fragmentary quality of the avenue, the historic context, and the development potential that exists along its length. These guidelines need to stress filling in the gaps along the street and encouraging buildings with minimal setbacks and parking in the rear.” (pp. 16-17) Because the site already has a configuration with long-standing commercial retail character, zero setbacks, and parking at the rear of the structure, the proposed zone change furthers continued commercial use on the site consistent with the Downtown Plan and its Great Streets concept. The Downtown Plan’s Special Places Implementation Strategy B is also supportive of the proposed zone change: “Amend the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan to redesignate the train station from industrial to commercial land use, and rezone to a commercial zone such as C-2 or C-3.” (p. 22) This application proposed to amend the Metro Plan diagram and rezone the subject property. Because other properties around the train station are also zoned I-2, and precedent has been set for redesignating and rezoning similar property (i.e., the former State motor pool site), changing zoning for the subject site to C-2 is consistent with this Downtown Plan implementation strategy. Eugene Commercial Lands Study As an adopted refinement to the Metro Plan, the October 1992 Eugene Commercial Lands Study helps satisfy the community’s compliance with Statewide Planning Goal 9 (Economy). As stated in the study document: “The main goal of the study is to decide if there is a need to make any changes to the supply of commercial land or to existing City policies or regulations based upon local community objectives.” (p. I-1) Among these objectives established in the study is a vision in which: “Downtown continues to serve as a major employment center for office- based commercial, government, and specialized retail activities. It is a vital area that includes a mix of activities such as office, specialty sotres, a new public library and housing.” “Commercial growth strengthens the local economy and occurs in a way that fosters compact growth and preservation of environmental resources.”