Item A: Low Impact Development: Results of Review

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that the proposal is designed and sited to minimize impacts to the natural environment by addressing protection of natural features. Low Potential: Appropriate types of standards are currently associated with conditions of approval for land use applications. Refinements to increase use of LID practices are better addressed within specific standards. Barriers: complexities of implementing changes to regulations and existing standards; potentially competing objectives between various conditions of approval. Overlay Zones Three overlay zones (/WP Waterside Protection Overlay zone, /WB Wetland Buffer Overlay zone, and /WR Water Resource Conservation Overlay zone) have been established along designated waterways, wetlands, and riparian areas with the purpose of protecting, maintaining, and improving water quality as well as protecting and conserving riparian areas, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. Each contains a list prohibited practices and uses permitted outright or which are subject to site review, standards review or conditional use permit. While each zone may incidentally and significantly contribute to LID it would be difficult to open these up to broader LID stormwater management objectives. Some work on reconciling or integrating areas of overlap may be feasible, e.g. planting lists. Low Potential: Reconcile areas of zone overlay overlapping regulation; e.g. compatible planting lists. Barrier: complexities of implementing changes to regulations and existing standards; potentially competing objectives between these types of overlay zones. In addition to existing waterway-related overlay zones, a proposed overlay zone, the Water Quality Protected Waterway was being considered but was not yet adopted during the LID review effort. Currently in the final phase of Council review and potential adoption, the City has initiated a proposal for protecting waterways for water quality purposes. Based on extensive public feedback provided to date, the proposed water quality protections would be applied to approximately 13.6 miles of waterways of concern within the Urban Growth Boundary that currently have no existing protections from existing overlay regulations. The proposed protections would provide for 40-foot setbacks on each side of headwater streams and 25-foot setbacks on each side of all other waterways. Medium Potential: Protection of the natural functions of additional existing waterways promotes LID objectives, albeit on a relatively small percentage of area waterways. Barriers: Complexities of developing and implementing land use regulations; concerns with the impacts of additional regulation compared to relative benefits. Tree Preservation and Removal Standards Tree preservation and removal restrictions are a common LID practice. Eugene’s current tree preservation and removal standards are established to: Implement Metro Plan and refinement plan policies related to vegetation preservation; Maintain a minimum level of tree canopy cover throughout the city while addressing the city’s goals for a healthy economy, affordable housing, and reduced sprawl; Mitigate the impacts of development on the essential functions of the urban forest through requirements for preservation and replacement of tree canopy cover; Ensure a healthy future urban forest by encouraging protection of mixed age stands of trees and promoting a diversity of tree species; and Maintain a safe and attractive environment for residents and workers by requiring the integration of urban forestry principles into the design of new development. These standards are generally consistent with LID practices to encourage preservation of vegetation and tree cover. Some potential may exist in the form of more stringent tree preservation requirements. Existing standards are applicable, with certain exceptions, to development permits and development activity that would result in the September, 2008 City of Eugene LID Report, Page 9 of 26