Item A: Planning Commission Work Plan

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valuable means for guiding the purpose and structure of such tools as the land use code. The Planning Commission has identified the need to utilize the growth management policies more actively in its decision making, such as mixed use planning, infill and opportunity siting, as well as future code amendments. Through these efforts, there may be specific standards that can be created within the land use code that reflect the growth management policies. Form Based Code Planning staff routinely explore best practices and innovative tools for implementing plans and policies, including the growth management policies. One promising tool that has emerged for consideration is Form Based Codes (FBC), which focuses on the physical form of new development as the primary focus, rather than the designated land use. Form-based codes address the relationship between building facades and the public realm, the form and mass of buildings in relation to one another, and the scale and types of streets and blocks. Eugene has begun incorporating this tool in a limited capacity through several land use code amendments. Examples include the “Chambers Reconsidered” design standards; Royal mixed use center zoning; downtown/TD Transit Development and Broadway overlay zones; and multi-family dwelling design standards, as well as exploration of “alternate paths” to the current code. The Walnut Station mixed use center provides an initial opportunity to explore the FBC concept. FBC can also provide more flexibility for mixing or changing uses within a building, which furthers the opportunities to create a true mixed-use center. It is not anticipated that FBC will replace the city’s land use code. FBC is usually applied to smaller, specific areas within a town or county. As such, it could fit well in the Land Use Code’s existing section containing customized Special Area Zones. Many cities across the country are considering development of form based codes. Among cities that have adopted form-based codes are Petaluma and Ventura County, California; Sarasota, Florida; Arlington, Virginia; and Woodford County, Kentucky. Utility of Neighborhood Based Refinement Plans The FY07 work program included a task to prepare a scope of work for an “Issues Assessment” of refinement plans. The assessment process was described in the approved work plan as the “first step in developing a strategy for the next generation of neighborhood plans.” As proposed in the FY08 work plan, the scoping of neighborhood based refinement plans will investigate approaches for the development of the next generation of neighborhood plans that reflect the priorities and desired community character of each individual neighborhood. The planning process envisioned would include involvement strategies highlighted at the neighborhood summit and in the neighborhood association empowerment initiative to create neighborhood engagement as the foundation of plan development. The planning focus and complexity of plans could vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, depending on individual neighborhood priorities. An example of a neighborhood based planning effort that could be the foundation for a neighborhood plan/refinement plan update is the Rasor Park Mixed Use Center update. A Community Advisory Committee prepared and presented a report to the Planning Commission entitled, Empowering Innovation: Vital Neighborhoods as Sustainability Engine.” The report offered support for the general concept of directing increased population growth and commercial density to mixed-use centers as a growth management and anti-sprawl strategy. This neighborhood plan concept could ultimately be developed into a neighborhood plan that serves as an updated refinement plan.