03/13/1972 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Planning Direct~r pointed out the Urban Service Area and fringe areas on the Dia- gram Plan. Also, the low density area (1 to 10 units per acre), medium (11 to 20 units), and High (over 20), and the agricultural area which it is hoped will be protected. He pointed out the dividing lines between the rural areas outside the Urban Service Area and said the ,Plan tries to identify what could take place in those areas. He pointed out schools, colleges, and other institutional uses in the Diagram, and desired transportation routes for which, he said there are no specific recommendations until re-evaluation of the ESATS plan. He said when the Plan is adopted the Diagram Plan and major elements of the General pJ:an will be made avail- able through wide circulation to all citizens of the community. Manager said probably the chairman of the Lane County Commission will preside at the joint hearing scheduled for March 22, 1972, and determination of the pro- cedure thereafter will depend upon what develops at that session. It is assumed a brief presentation will be made because of the many hearings held on the Plan in substantially its final form before the Planning Commissions. . Councilman Mohr questioned whether the Plan would be adopted in the form of an ordinance and wondered how zone changes would be obtained after its adoption. Also, if the Plan could be challenged in the courts. Ken Battaile, County plan- ning staff, said the Springfield Council plans to adopt by ordinance, and the County, by order. Planning Director said the Plan is a framework document, and can adjust and accommodate small variations. It is not like a zoning ordinance. Mr. Pearson replied that as long as procedural aspects were followed in adopting it, once it is adopted zoning changes must be made in conformance with the Plan. If cri teria for zoning decisions are wrong or if zone changes are inconsistent with the Plan, then the Plan should be changed. Mrs. Beal asked if there is any way to control use of the industrial areas; that is, if an undesirable industrial use is contemplated in an industrial zone, can that use be denied. Mr. Pearson said it cannot at the present time as long as the use is consistent with the zoning in existence. It can be controlled through the zoning ordinance. Planning Director said there are performance standards in the present zoning ordinance, but State standards would supersede the Ci ty' s. He said a review could be made of zoned land not consistent with the Plan and revisions suggested if this Plan is adopted, but that can only be done on a firm basis which would be this document. In answer to Mrs. Beal's question with re- gard to rezoning areas where there is an excess, Planning Director said using the PLan as the base there is more chance of changing zones in certain areas. e Councilman Hershner asked if amendments would be required to bring the present zoning ordinance into conformity with the Plan. Planning Director said without doubt amendment would be required later; it doesn't automatically change and re- zoning would have to go through the hearing process before the Council. He con- firmed Mr. Hershner's statement that if a use fits within the present zoning ordinance and not within this Plan, it-can go ahead. Mrs. Campbell asked if consideration has been given to reassessing vacant lands wi thin the Ci ty, because of the tendency to hold land on' a speculati ve basis. Mr. Pearson said it has been considered, but would require legislation at the State level. Mrs. Beal asked if the Urban Service Area accepts the current zoning. Planning Director said it does in most cases, but there are some areas such as industrial where other uses are being suggested. Basically it reflects the present zoning, except that there are some medium density areas where there are none now, and along arterials there is some strip development which it is hoped will be clustered. Councilman Mohr asked how the Council should respond to amendments which will be requested. Mr. Pearson answered that the Planning Commissions made no at- tempt to reach a decision during the hearing process; no motions were made. In that respect the co-ordinating commi ttee concept worked very well. Any changes recommended were worked out during work sessions, which were public, and when agreement was reached at, the commi ttee level, the revised Plan was reintroduced before all three Commissions. . Mr. Mohr recommended working out a procedure making that a ground rule' for the hearing before the governing bodies. Manager suggested that the County Commission chairman'and the mayors of Eugene and Springfield meet prior to the hearing date to deCide what procedural ar- rangement should be followed, bringing a recommendation back to each governing body. Mayor Anderson said he would like to see some degree of permanence to a Ud 3/13/72 I