Agenda Packet 10-24-18 Joint Work Session

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October 24, 2018, Joint Work Session – Item 1 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Work Session: Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting Meeting Date: October 24, 2018 Agenda Item Number: 1 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Robin Hostick www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5507 ISSUE STATEMENT This work session, held jointly by the City Council and Planning Commission, is an opportunity to share information about the role of the Planning Commission, highlight past activities and upcoming projects that will be coming to the City Council through the Planning Commission, and promote interaction between the two bodies. The work session will include a discussion of ways the Planning Commission can support the City Council in making important decisions related to planning and land use. No action is requested. BACKGROUND The Eugene Planning Commission is a standing committee enabled by State statute and established through ordinance by the City Council. The Commission operates according to the provisions of Eugene Code Chapter 2 as well as a set of adopted bylaws. In practical terms, the Planning Commission has three main duties: 1) to provide recommendations to the City Council in legislative matters related to land use, 2) to carry out a “quasi-judicial” function as the appeal body for certain land use applications, and 3) to serve the City Council as its designated Committee for Citizen Involvement. The Planning Commission is comprised of seven at-large community volunteers appointed by the City Council through a publicly advertised, competitive process. The Commission itself is an element of Eugene’s public engagement program. In a typical year, commissioners collectively donate about 1,000 person hours to realize the City Council’s adopted policies and regulations, as well as council-directed projects. During the course of this work, the Commission hears official public testimony prior to making decisions on land use appeals, as well as regarding legislative activity—for example land use code updates and neighborhood plans—prior to making a recommendation to the City Council. In keeping with its role as the City’s designated Committee for Citizen Involvement, the Planning Commission also regularly discusses and advises staff on public engagement. This includes reviewing, amending and approving public outreach plans. The Planning Commission has supported the City Council in making many significant decisions. Notably, the Planning Commission met numerous times during the preparation of Envision Eugene and adopting Eugene’s updated urban growth boundary. Other major projects included the Walnut Station Special Area Zone, the Downtown Riverfront Special Area Zone, the South