09-26-16 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

d.Nowhere in the diagram does it take into account the current “transition” that is currently in the building code: R-3 and C-2 buildings can be built only to 30 feet high for that part of the building that is located within 50 feet of R-1 lots (single family housing) – or only to 35 feet when located within 50 feet of R-2 lots. i.This current limitation should make the first 50 feet next to any R-1 lot only 2.5 stories high. (I remember being told by one of the planners that they left it off for the sake of simplicity.) ii.For the east side of Oak Street between 28 th and 29 th Avenues, the C-2 lots are only 100 to 125 feet wide. The diagram lists an 8 story decrease (11 to 3 stories). But with the required limitation of only 30 feet high for the first 50 feet bordered by R-1 to the east, it may be theoretically possible, but it is impractical to have the remaining 50 to 75 feet of the lot go to 11 stories. The current limitation in city code is what protects R-1 and R-2 lots now. Most of the commercial strip between 28 th and 24 th Avenues are pretty narrow, too. For Capella Market, a third of the lot is restricted to 30 feet. This is not to say that the explicit reduction of building height is bad (e.g., theoretical 120 fee to 30 or 45 feet). It just should be presented fairly. However, all of the narrow lots could just be re-classified as C-1 Neighborhood Commercial, and it would solve most of the problems with transitioning between commercial and R-1 (it also gives a 10 foot set back from property line). In my opinion, the diagram should compare ONLY with the current zoning, because this is what you see when you look up your lot in the City of Eugene’s property explorer; you do not see the Metro Plan designation. There are more problems than the six problems that I have listed. Taken individually, a problem can be seen as an inadvertent error. But together, it gives the appearance that the city planning team is either indifferent, incompetent, or in cahoots with the developers. I don’t believe that this is the case, but appearances do matter. Oregon Consensus cited a lack of trust with the city. These are just some of the reasons. But it is more than just a matter of trust. The City Council and Mayor rely on city staff to provide accurate information. When there are inaccuracies, half-truths, or leaving out part of the story to make Page 6 of 7 9/20/2016