Item 3: PH on Ordinance Regarding State Motor Pool Metro Plan Amendment and Zone Change

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. Patricia Tho-mas, AlA July 24,2006 Page 7 That should be the end of the discussion. The Downtown Plan" with the policy language directing redesignation of the parking lot was found, in the adoption of the plari, to be consistent with Goal 12. The call for a traffic impact analysis is not merited given the location . and context of this plan amendment -directed by the new Downtown Plan. The subject site is 1; 718 acres and presently plan designated HDjMU. Adopted at the " same time as the Downtown Plan was a Metro Plan amendment redesignating the 9.05-acre courthouse site from Heavy Industrial to Commercial. While there was a comparison of anticipated traffic volumes projected for the new designation as . compared to the industrial designation, there was no Traffic Impact Analysis even though 10,775 new trips were anticipated. Thefindings were made that the existing transportation facilities were adequate to serve . this' amount of new development. . The Council findings noted that the proposed transportation improvements planned in conjunction with the development of the area would improve the transportation facilities in the immediate area, particularly for pedestrians. The proposed plan amendments were found to be consistent with Goal 12. Noted in the findings and relevant here is the fac,t that the Oregon Administrative Rules set out . certain automatic credits for reduction in vehicle trips for developments in ~mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly centers' and neighborhoods." This is an ND Nodal Development area, as the central business district, and a transit-oriented pedestrian district. This designation would enable the City to qualify for State credit in reduction of vehicle miles traveled, in further compliance with the State Transportation Planning Rule. - Given the finding that.a redesignation of 9.05 acre~ of land to 'commercial use in the immediate vicinity of the. subject site did not require a traffic impact analysis and was found to not "significantly affect" a transportatiop facility, it follo\ys that the case is the saine for. the proposed redesignation here. Moreover, redesignation is directed by the Downtown Plan following a finding that the Downtown Plan, " including the policy direction to design4lte this parcel, was consistent with Goal 9. . If it is a relevant inquiry, I have reviewed the Oregon Administrative Rules and am aware of what amendments !1ave been made to the rules