Agenda Packet 2-19-19 Work Session

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February 19, 2019, Work Session – Item 2 EUGENE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Update: Downtown Riverfront Redevelopment Meeting Date: February 19, 2019 Agenda Item Number: 2 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Michael Kinnison www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5500 ISSUE STATEMENT At this work session, staff will provide an update on the Downtown Riverfront project, including next steps for council and public input. BACKGROUND On January 24, 2019, the Urban Renewal Agency signed a Disposition and Development Agreement with Williams/Dame & Associates. The DDA major terms are the ones approved by the Agency Board in July 2018 and that were shared with the community last summer. Along with the DDA, the City and WDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to describe the actions that the City expects to take related to the riverfront property. (Attachment A has the summary of the DDA key points and the concept plan.) Over the next year, the City will be working with WDA to move the concept plan forward. Several of the steps including code amendments, budget authorization, Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption consideration, and Local Improvement District, will require action by council and provide numerous opportunities for public input. Staff will keep council informed about key dates as they arise. The Downtown Riverfront website will be updated with current information, (https://www.eugene-or.gov/3506/Downtown-Riverfront-Development) and regular updates will be sent to an interested parties list. Relevant next steps are listed below. Code Amendment/Land Use The concept plan presented by WDA is consistent with the intent and goals of the EWEB Master Plan, but some of the details are different. For example, the proposed concept plan extends 5th Street all the way to the river, establishing both a view corridor and pedestrian/bicycle path to the river. Also, the main street through the site has been relocated to be adjacent to the railroad tracks, land which could not be redeveloped anyway because of the major EWEB utilities located beneath the surface. To make the concept plan a reality, it will be necessary to amend the land use code. In addition, changes are needed so that the Park development can occur. Council initiated the land use code amendment process on July 9, 2018. Staff is working to have the draft land use package ready in early March so that the Planning Commission can hold a public hearing in early- to mid-April. The Planning Commission is expected to make a recommendation to council by the end of May. Council would then hold a public hearing in June with final action before its summer