Item B: Jefferson-Westside Options for Immediate Protection

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Policy 10 Encourage the creation of transportation-efficient land use patterns and implementation of nodal development concepts. The Jefferson-Far West Plan (1983) contains these policies for Area 15: This area shall be recognized as a low-to medium-density residential area. The City shall explore methods of encouraging an increase in residential density yet maintaining the character of the area. Residential densities beyond ten units per acre shall be allowed, subject to an approved block plan or rezoning to R-2 in conjunction with site review. The City shall encourage block planning, infilling, and shared housing, in this area. Access to housing units off of alleys shall be accommodated when not in conflict with other policies and goals. The City shall encourage the rehabilitation of the existing housing stock through both public and private reinvestments. COUNCIL OPTIONS While council could consider the other options listed under the ‘Background’ section of this AIS, staff has worked with the neighborhood group and has narrowed that list down to the following options to consider: First, the City Council could initiate amendments to the JFW Plan, Metro Plan and Land Use Code to apply the Low Density Residential designation to this area (Option 7); and in the interim, either: The Planning Director could issue an official interpretation of the Area 15 policy of the JFW Plan, ? which is incorporated into the Land Use Code at EC 9.9580(17) (Option 2); The Planning Director could request that the Planning Commission issue an official interpretation of ? the Area 15 policy of the JFW Plan, which is incorporated into the Land Use Code at EC 9.9580(17) (Option 3); or The City could do nothing, anticipating that the issue of compatibility will be sufficiently addressed ? when the JFW Plan policies are applied in the context of a site review application (Option 10). If the council chooses to take the action described in Option 7, at this time, staff would also recommend the council amend the Planning Commission work plan to show this as a high priority work program item. Through that amendment process, staff will do the necessary analysis and provide a recommendation on the technical merits of such an amendment, and move that through the public process. If the council initiates the amendments, and revises the work plan, staff will then adjust the other high priority work program items, such as the South Ridgeline Habitat Study or the Opportunity Siting program to pull resources from those items to accomplish this task. As previously noted, staff is trying to respect the process and integrity of the City-wide prioritization system that occurs annually and ensure tracking of amendments to those priorities. L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060816\S060816B.doc