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The Proposed Coordinated Population Allocations reflect the rapid growth of several of Eugene’s neighboring cities and the visioning processes completed by several of those cities in recent years. Over the past 15 years, the rate of population growth in Creswell (4%), Veneta (3%), Coburg (2.5%) and Junction City (2%) has outpaced the growth of Eugene, Springfield, Lane County and the State as a whole. As indicated in the Strategy, “The land use actions of one jurisdiction affect other jurisdictions in the region but there is no mechanism to address the impacts because current state and local planning takes place within individual UGBs…” And, “currently growth in many of the small cities is outpacing growth in the two metropolitan areas and there is no mechanism to ensure that buffers are maintained between communities in the future. Continuation of this trend without consideration of the impacts and planning for the necessary infrastructure will have regional impacts on natural resources, transportation, housing affordability, and the regional economy….” The Proposed Coordinated Population Allocations and Growth Management Concept attempt to “…direct growth into areas where it would have minimal environmental impacts and still meet the development objectives of the participating local communities.” The mechanisms for achieving this shift in projected growth rates would be determined by the Eugene City Council; initial steps would likely include a Metro Plan amendment process to incorporate the coordinated population allocation, among other changes. Issue – Densification: The Strategy and the Regional Growth Concept are consistent with adopted local planning efforts, such as the Eugene Growth Management Study that calls for densification within the city prior to expansion of city boundaries. The Regional Growth Concept assumes an increase in the net density of Eugene’s residential development from the current level of 6.0 units per net acre to 7.6 units per net acre. When adopted in 1982, the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan assumed a “target” density of 6.0 dwelling units per net acre. Eugene’s net residential densities have risen steadily from 5.1 du/a in 1977; passing 5.7 du/a in 1992, and achieving the Metro Plan target in 2006. Issue – Urban Reserves : Even with the assumed increases in development densities and full build-out of all 38 potential mixed-use centers identified in TransPlan, it is clear that UGB expansion is inevitable . for the City of Eugene at some point in the future. Eugene’s current UGB contains almost 28,600 acres The Regional Growth Concept, and the Land Capacity Model used to develop that concept indicate a 2055 need for about 31,600 acres, an increase of almost 3000 acres (see Attachment F). By comparison, that model indicates a need for an additional 5,600 acres within the UGB if historic growth trends are assumed. As described in the Strategy and the memo from the City Attorney’s Office, a Eugene UGB expansion plan could be drafted such that UGB expansions are initiated upon the achievement of a specified residential density target within the current UGB. Issue - Implementation Resources : Just as implementation of Eugene’s adopted Growth Management Policies has required local policy makers to rethink how resources should be reallocated to achieve intended outcomes, implementation of the Regional Growth Strategy will also require an additional reallocation to implement local actions. The Strategy suggests several funding approaches to support this program in future years. Implementation of the Strategy, beyond the actual endorsement, is voluntary and would be left entirely to local jurisdictions. If the council votes to endorse, staff will incorporate information on resources and actions needed to implement the Regional Growth Management Strategy and will return to the council for further direction as part of the fall PDD work program discussion. L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060814\S060814C.doc