CC Minutes - 10/24/07 Work Session

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Ms. Ortiz thanked the Planning Commission for all of its work acknowledging the incredible amount of work done by a volunteer group. Although she wanted to support moving on the plan, she was reluctant because of the recommendation to include a commercial and industrial lands supply. As she recalled, the City Council had specifically decided not to so and she was reluctant to move on it if it was not required by HB 3337. Although she wanted to be in compliance with and would support the law, she had not supported the legislation and found the bill “divisive” and “insulting.” She would not support the FY08 Planning Commission and Planning Division work program if it included a commercial and industrial lands supply assessment. Responding to a question from Ms. Ortiz, Ms. Jones said it was up to the City Council to determine the Planning Commission work priorities. Recognizing there was insufficient time to get through all of the Council’s policy issues today, she suggested scheduling additional work sessions as the council deemed necessary. Mayor Piercy suggested that the council consider accepting the Annual Report and scheduling a work session in a timely manner to study the policy issues that needed more consideration by the council. Ms. Bettman offered several examples of instances when the City Council accepted a report because it could not approve everything in it, and then it was later “sold” as having council approval. She was reluctant to approve the report today and appreciated Ms. Jones’ willingness to schedule a work session. Several issues needed further study. She expressed surprise about the staff recommendation to conduct an available lands assessment when the City Council had specifically voted not to pursue a commercial and industrial lands study. She supported doing the minimum necessary to be in compliance with State law. While the City was looking at ways to accommodate residential growth within the UGB, it was not considering strategies to increase the capacity for commercial and industrial lands. The council recently reduced the capacity for commercial lands by lowering Floor Area Ration (FAR) and changing the use on commercial properties. Ms. Gardner explained the Planning Commission’s recommendation to complete a comprehensive lands assessment would need the approval of the City Council. The Planning Commission was currently implementing MUCs, as well as studying corridor planning and form based code strategies. Segregating commercial, industrial, and residential land supply did not offer the best opportunity to complete integrated land use planning. A form-based code looked at the form of the development rather than land use designation. Conducting a capacity assessment for an area such as West 11th Avenue had little regard for the land use designation. But, identifying commercial and industrial needs could provide opportunities for future redevelopment of a corridor that could be mixed residential/commercial. Mr. Carroll asserted the issue was inextricably linked to the buildable land supply. However, the Planning Commission needed this tool to enable it to make intelligent recommendations to the City Council. Responding to a question from Ms. Taylor, Ms. Jones said no decision had been made regarding a joint meeting with the City of Springfield. However, a letter had been received from the Lane Board of County Commissioners requesting a joint elected officials meeting. Ms. Taylor asked who had decided not to cooperate, asserting it was not the Eugene City Council but rather its neighbors. She said a two-hour work session was needed. Ms. Taylor asked what would happen if the City of Eugene did not comply with the adopted legislation within two years. Ms. Jerome stated she did not know what enforcement action would be taken. She iterated the need for the council to discuss HB 3337 in the context of the Planning Commission work program. MINUTES—Eugene City Council October 24, 2007 Page 5 Work Session