Item A: Joint Meeting with LTD Board

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meeting. Staff recommends the Planning Commission also review and discuss design review options to give staff direction as the draft form-based code is developed. Staff has also provided a vision statement for the Walnut Station Mixed Use Center (Attachment A). This document is intended to characterize the look and feel of the area and the overall experience if the recommendations put forth are pursued and development follows the resulting plan for the foreseeable future. It sets the tone and will serve as a way to measure success. BACKGROUND: The Metro Plan, TransPlan, and Eugene’s Growth Management Policies strongly support the creation of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit-friendly mixed use centers throughout the region. This 73-acre area was identified as a potential nodal development site in TransPlan and remains a high priority of the City’s mixed use center program. In May 2005, the City initiated a site-specific planning effort for the Walnut Station Mixed Use Center in partnership with the State of Oregon and the University of Oregon. Phase One of the project focused on the development of a vision and planning framework for the Walnut Station study area and was completed in June 2006. Phase Two of the process has focused on plan development and implementation. Through the state sponsors, the City has contracted with David Evans & Associates, a Portland area planning and urban design firm, as the prime consultant on Phase Two of the project. Phase Two of the process continues and is pending approval of a scope amendment to the grant funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Staff is prepared to move forward with preparation of the draft development plan and to work with the consultant on the final technical documents including draft code amendments, an illustrative plan and other graphics needed as part of the draft plan. SUMMARY OF STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: This section briefly summarizes the staff recommendations on each issue. Detailed background and rationale are included in Attachment B. 1.Franklin Boulevard Design – Staff recommends that plan development incorporate a future multi-way boulevard design concept for Franklin Boulevard. This is a continuation of the direction provided by the Planning Commission, following several work sessions on the various components of the specific design elements. 2.Franklin On-Street Parking – Staff recommends that this option be eliminated from further consideration. 3.Phased Expansion Alternative – Staff recommends that this option be eliminated from further consideration and it is effectively replaced by the Franklin Boulevard Design recommendation in Section 1. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Walnut Station Agenda November 2007 2 Item Summary