CC Minutes - 07/28/03 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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6. ACTION: Resolution 4766 Authorizing the City Manager to Make Application to the State of Oregon Economic and Community Development Department for Designation of a Vertical Housing Development Zone Council President Papd moved, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, to adopt Resolution 4766 authorizing the City Manager to make application to the State of Oregon Economic and Community Development Department for designation of a vertical housing development zone. Councilor Bettman asked, given that the resolution could be applied to nodal development areas, why this had not been included in the proposal. Richie Weinman, Urban Services Manager for the Planning and Development Department, responded that this particular resolution had arisen as a tool to implement the downtown vision. He suggested that, should the council want to pursue the application of such a designation for nodal development areas, the council could direct staff to prepare a proposal to do so. Councilor Bettman commented that there was a significant amount of residentially zoned property within the boundary. In response to a question from Councilor Bettman, Mr. Weinman assured her that the State could not change the zoning of local property but could only grant a tax exemption, that land uses and the permit process were still functions of the City. Councilor Bettman moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor, to amend the motion to exclude all property that was zoned R/Residential within the boundary. Councilor Bettman stated that the intent of moving forward with the vertical housing zone was to increase housing density and not to replace residential with commercial. She felt that this incentive could be applied for to convert a four-floor apartment so that the first floor was commercial. As such, she asserted that this resolution could potentially decrease the housing density and defeat its intent, but would then only require one floor of residential above. In addition, she stated, this could lead to overcommercialization and actually unfairly compete with existing downtown commercial property. Councilor Kelly appreciated Councilor Bettman's contention that the vertical housing zone should be applied to nodal development. He supported the motion, but not the amendment, remarking that the example cited was not economically likely. Councilor Meisner echoed Councilor Kelly's comments, stating that he would not support the amendment. MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 28, 2003 Page 13 Regular Meeting