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Order Recommendation #2: Identify Specific Areas for Nodal Development The Nodal Development implementation schedule directs local jurisdictions to "specify areas for nodal development within one year" after adoption of TransPlan. The target date for completion of the task was May, 2002 even though TransPlan was not adopted until December, 2001. Site Selection for Pilot Project Areas Eugene's process for identifying specific areas for nodal development proceeded in two stages. The first stage began well before TransPlan was adopted. In April 1997, the City applied for a TGM grant to assist with this process. The grant funded a demonstration of transportation-efficient land use planning focusing on the preparation and adoption of a concept design, strategies and ordinances for two potential nodal development sites identified in TransPlan. The project was intended to serve as a "pilot project" to test a process and set of planning tools to implement the nodal development concept. The grant agreement required the City to select one node in a redevelopment/infill setting, and one node in a "newly developing" (undeveloped) area. Notice of the grant award was received by the City in July, 1998 allowing less than one year for the selection of the sites and development of specific area plans for both sites. The process for selection of the two sites employed the Eugene Planning Commission as a recommending body with the final decision resting with the City Council. City staff proposed a set of criteria for each site to guide the site selection process. The site selection criteria for the Newly Developing Area were as follows: 2. Site is included on the Draft TransPlan Proposed Nodal Development map. 3. Significant amounts of vacant or under-developed land remain. 4. The site is located on an existing or planned transit route. 5. Pressures for development are increasing. 6. Number of property owners within the nodal development area. 7. Proportion of land in larger parcels. The criteria for the Infill/Redevelopment Area were modified as necessary to reflect the developed character of these sites: 1. Site is included on the Draft TransPlan Proposed Nodal Development map. 2. The site contains a significant amount of land with medium-to-high redevelopment potential and/or a significant amount of land with infill potential. 3. The site is located on proposed Phase I Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route. 4. Number of property owners within the nodal development area. 5. Provides sufficient complexity so that a range of issues will be addressed, but not be too complex for the project timeline and budget. An interagency staff technical group evaluated five candidate sites and recommended two of those sites to the Planning Commission for the pilot studies. The sites ultimately selected by the Planning Commission, and confirmed by the Council, were West Royal (Newly Developing) and 11th and Chambers (Redevelopment/Infill). The specific area planning process for those two sites is further described in the section addressing Order Recommendation #3, below. 4