Item 1: Ordinance on Oregon West Management

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AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY October 29, 2007 TO: Eugene Planning Commission FROM: Heather O'Donnell, Associate Planner, Eugene Planning Division ITEM TITLE: Deliberations for the Public Hearing on the Oregon West Management, LLC Metro Plan Amendment, Refinement Plan Amendment and Zone Change (MA 07-2, RA 07-1 and Z 07-3) ACTION REQUESTED: Deliberate and take action on the proposed Metro Plan amendment, refinement plan amendment and zone change. BRIEFING STATEMENT: On October 18,2007, the Eugene Planning Commission held a public hearing on a proposal to amend the Metro Plan land use diagram, amend the applicable refinement plan and approve a concurrent zone change for Oregon West Management, LLC. To summarize, the applicant requests approval of Metro Plan and Refinement Plan amendments and a zone change that will result in 7.3 acres being rezoned to C-2/PD/SR, Community Commercial zone with Planned Unit Development and Site Review overlays and 1.3 acres being rezoned to R-2!PDISR, Medium Density Residential with Planned Unit Development and Site Review overlays. At the public hearing, aside from the applicant's party there were nine people that spoke in favor of the proposal, and six people spoke against it. Some common themes staff heard from those in favor were that the proposal could provide the types of businesses and services that are lacking in this area, that there is a need for new commercial sites in this area, that elements of the concept proposal are good, and that the proposal addresses both commercial and residential needs. Common themes heard from the opposition were that a mixed use concept is generally supported, C-l zoning is preferred over C-2, and that the refinement plan policies limit strip commercial. Based on the evidence to date, staff still does not believe that the proposal is consistent with the approval criteria. Specifically, staff finds that the proposal is inconsistent with the following: Metro Plan Policies A.I 0, A.ll, A12, AI3, A22 and A.23 because these policies support a higher residential density on this site and less commercial; Policy B.6 because the adopted refinement plans indicate no demand for more commercial land in this area, and; the River Road-Santa Clara Urban Facilities Plan (RRSC) Policies 1.0, 2.0,5.0, and 3.0 because the policies and plan text do not support new commercial in this area, and if anything, support Low Density Residential or a higher density residential. BACKGROUND: Please refer to the materials provided with the Planning Commission packet for the October 18, 2007 public hearing. PLANNING COMMISSION QUESTIONS: Before the close of the record, and after the close of the record, the Planning Commission asked several clarifying questions of staff. Responses to these questions are provided below.