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29th and Willamette The proposal for nodal development designation and overlay zone engendered heavy community and business response. The Friendly Area Neighborhood has been researching the concept for several years and was an early supporter of the node. They had engaged the City in working on transportation and pedestrian improvements in the area during the last year. These included an analysis of limited safe pedestrian crossing locations along Willamette, an absence of street trees, and the need for marketing the businesses along the stretch from 24th to 29th. Neighborhood efforts, not specifically related to the nodal designation process the City engaged in, but in preparation and support of the concept, resulted in the following: · City funding of a new traffic signal at 25th Avenue in a heavily-used pedestrian area · Eugene Tree Foundation effort to plant trees along this section of Willamette · Neighborhood group sponsorship of a Walking Tour map of the commercial area Once the proposal for the Nodal Designation and Overlay was announced, businesses became engaged and many felt they needed more time to understand the concept. Some were fearful of the impact of the overlay zone requirements and organized to modify the process. They generally wished for more time and for a relaxation of requirements. Businesses were particularly concerned about the intensity of development required (multi-story, pressure on parking, moving buildings toward the street) if they were to redevelop their properties. The group followed up with entreaties to the City to help them make their area more attractive outside the nodal development process. Significant testimony, including professional research, came in regarding risks to owners by the intensity of development required under the nodal overlay and its' incompatibility with the market and land values in the area. This testimony was reinforced and incorporated in at least one other node testimony. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the designation, and denial of the overlay zone, while working toward a solution wherein the overlay zone could be redesignated and applied at a later date. On May 13, 2003 the City Council denied both, some councilors being influenced by what they learned from the business testimony in particular, others out of concern that a revised overlay zone might be jeopardized by the adoption of the designation. When it became clear that the/ND overlay zone was not going to be accepted by commercial property owners in this area, the City applied for a TGM grant, for the 2003-2005 cycle, to accomplish the following general purposes: (1) Determine the feasibility of pedestrian, alternative mode-friendly ("nodal") commercial development in this older, existing strip commercial area; and (2) provide a realistic, feasible plan for achieving either nodal development patterns or, if that is not fully feasible, a plan for improved pedestrian safety, pedestrian and bicycle access, aesthetics, connections to the surrounding neighborhood, and better business climate. The plan would have been prepared by City staff and consultants, utilizing public workshops and one-on-one contact with owners and operators of the businesses. This grant would have been supplemented by additional City funding. This TGM grant application was denied. 28