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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Initiation of Code Amendment for Downtown Zoning District Meeting Date: July 18, 2005 Agenda Item Number: 2E Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Nan Laurence www. eugene-or, gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5340 ISSUE STATEMENT A Downtown Plan implementation strategy calls for the creation of a single zone to unify the downtown core and to support downtown development. Initiating a code amendment is the first step in the implementation of this strategy. This action does not approve any changes to the Land Use Code, but launches the public discussion on how to better support downtown development and implement related Downtown Plan and Growth Management policies. BACKGROUND The concept of a downtown zoning district was first included in the Downtown Vision, approved by City Council in November 2000. The vision included the following Key Next Step to support downtown development: Create a new zoning district for the downtown that promotes multi-story structures with mixed uses, and emphasizes street-level activity along the Great Streets. Consider Design Review. (Page 9) The council funded the implementation of six Key Next Steps in April 2001. The concept of a new zoning district was included in the task of updating the Downtown Plan. In April 2004, the updated Downtown Plan was adopted by the council. The plan contained the following implementation strategy: Create a single zone to unify the downtown core, including the new Federal Courthouse and riverfront areas. Consider amendments to an existing commercial zone, such as C-2 or C-3, and overlay zones such as lTD,/ND, and the Broadway Overlay Zone. (Page 14) As part of the implementation of the Downtown Plan, Planning and Development Department (PDD) staff reviewed downtown zoning regulations with the Planning Commission on May 10, 2004. The Planning Commission requested that staff work with the Eugene Redevelopment Advisory Committee (ERAC) to identify issues and options in more detail. PDD staff met with ERAC members five times between July 2004 and February 2005. ERAC identified issues within existing zoning regulations that hindered desired downtown development. These included the myriad of downtown-related, often inconsistent regulations, as well as specific requirements within C-2, C-3, the/TD overlay, and bike parking regulations. In response to the issues identified, ERAC members recommended a strategy to modify existing regulations rather than add additional regulatory layers. Specifically, the ERAC-recommended strategy focuses on revising the existing/TD overlay to serve as a Downtown Overlay District. L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050718\S0507182E.doc