Item 1: Ordinance on Oregon West Management

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Metro Plan, Policy B.6: Increase the amount of undeveloped land zoned for light industrial and commercial uses correlating the effective supply in terms of suitabilit)/ and availability with the projections of demand Response: The proposal (in conjunction with the related zone change application) will increase the supply of undeveloped land planned and zoned for commercial use (see Tables 5 and 6). The increase in supply will provide a suitable site for a community commercial center near a higher density residential area that is serviced by existing transportation networks thus supporting the concept of mixed-use development. The supply of neighborhood commercial land is reduced with this application by approximately 90% 'within the potential node 5-C area. Although the supply of neighborhood commercial land is reduced the proposed amendments allow for the development of a mixed-use center that will provide a neighborhood tocal point with supportive services for area residences, thereby meeting the intent of such conunercial designations. Given that the approval of this proposal would facilitate the rezoning of the property to conunercial, the proposal is consistent with this policy. Metro Plan. Policy 8.28. Recognize the vital role of neighborhood commercial facilities in providing services and goods to a particular neighborhood. Afetro Plan, Policy B. 29. Encourage the expansion or redevelopment of existing neighborhood commercial facilities as surrounding residential densities increase or as the characteristics of the support population change. The Santa Clara School stood as a center of neighborhood activity for many years. The proposed amendments will support redevelopment of the site, thereby continuing and expanding that tradition. If the former school grounds were developed under the current low-density residential designation, it would be a retreat from the role this site has played providing vital services to the neighborhood. The City has identified a potential nodal development area that includes this site. When implemented, residential densities will increase and require goods and services that can be provided with approval of the proposed amendments, but not with the existing designation. Concern that reducing the area of C-l zoning and increasing C-2 land may result in a more intense conUllunity rather than a neighborhood commercial area is addressed by the refinement plan amendment. This amendment requires Planned Unit Development or Site Plan review that will provide opportunities for the City and the Neighborhood association to scrutinize development proposals. It also limits the size of commercial buildings on the site and requires buildings oriented toward internal streets and sidewalks rather than exclusively to the arterial. Although the Community Commercial zoning district wiII allow slightly more flexibility of uses, the proposed refinement plan policies requiring subsequent development reviews and limiting building scale will assure the neighborhood character of future development. For these reasons, the proposed amendments support and implement Metro Plan policies "B.28" and "B.29." F. Transportation Element The project area is currently served by River Road (a Major Arterial), Hunsaker Lane (a Major Collector) and Green Lane. Hunsaker Lane is a county road that is not improved to urban Santa Clara -- RefInement Plan Amendment ApplicationoWritten Statement - August 2, 2007 Page 30 of 44