Item A: Downtown Code Amendments

Home Browse Search

Planning Commission Recommendation On April 28, 2008, the Planning Commission considered an ordinance enacting the proposed code amendments for Phase I and voted 6 to1 to recommend approval of the ordinance. Other Background Information The process to draft the code amendments has employed significant public involvement opportunities. The need for a comprehensive review of existing downtown zones emerged as part of the initial Downtown Visioning effort in 1999. The Downtown Vision, approved by the council in 2000, included the following Key Next Step to support downtown development: Create a new zoning district for the downtown that promotes multi-story structures with mixed uses, and emphasizes street-level activity along the Great Streets. Consider Design Review. (Page 9) The concept of a new zoning district was included in the task of updating the Downtown Plan. In April, 2004, the updated Downtown Plan was adopted by the council. The plan contained the following implementation strategy: Create a single zone to unify the downtown core, including the new Federal Courthouse and riverfront areas. Consider amendments to an existing commercial zone, such as C-2 or C-3, and overlay zones such as /TD, /ND, and the Broadway Overlay Zone. (Page 14) In May, 2004, staff introduced the topic of a review of Downtown Area Zoning at the Eugene Planning Commission. Since that time, Planning and Development staff met with the Eugene Planning Commission, the Eugene Redevelopment Advisory Committee, and the City Council on multiple occasions, in addition to hosting public workshops. Since the City Council initiated the downtown code amendment process in July, 2006, City staff held four additional Planning Commission meetings, a follow-up meeting with ERAC, a well attended public workshop, and a Planning Commission public hearing. As a result of this public involvement, the Phase I code amendments recommended by the Planning Commission, and reflected in the attached ordinance, do not mirror the specific language in the initial council motion regarding C-3 Major Commercial surface parking and /TD Transit Oriented Development Overlay Zone. While taking into account council direction to “consider functional floors rather than FAR” and to “consider ways to enhance shared parking provisions” the ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission proposes reducing the FAR required outside of the downtown core, and removal of the 20-space limitation. RELATED CITY POLICIES The work session topic is related to the City Council goal to revitalize downtown. Additionally, Eugene Code requires that the code amendment be consistent with the Metro Plan, the Eugene Downtown Plan and any other applicable refinement plans as well as the Statewide Planning Goals. COUNCIL OPTIONS No formal action is required; however, options will be provided as part of the formal code amendment deliberations on the draft ordinance, following the public hearing by the City Council on June 14, 2008. Z:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080604\S080604A.doc