Agenda Packet 7-22-19 Work Session

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Ordinance Exhibit DOrdinanceExhibitD DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT LAND USE COMPONENTS CA 19-1,RA 19-1,Z 19-5,WG 19-3,ST 19-3,and SDR 19-2 April 19,2019 Section C.3 of Goal 15 provides use management considerations and requirements for local plans and implementing measures.Subsection (k)provides for the Greenway setback.Other relevant considerations include providing adequate public access to the river,protection of significant fish and wildlife habitat,and enhancing and protecting the natural vegetative fringe along the River. As noted above and illustrated on Sheets Sl.l and Sl.l Existing Conditions Plan,the existing natural vegetative fringe along the Willamette River is limited to the area between the water's edge and the easternmost edge of the existing Riverbank Trail,with the exception of small patches of landscaping (islands,planter strips,and foundation plantings)associated with parking areas and access drives within the site.Existing bank and riverfront conditions along the Willamette River in this section of the riverfront reflect the history of over 100 years of use of the site as the City's Water and Electric Utility.The vast majority of the subject site is prior developed and has been used for industrial and utility uses since 1908.Since that time,large volumes of fill material have been imported and placed on the subject site and the entire length of riverbank is armored with riprap with some vegetation growing through basalt rock and concrete slab revetments.Much of the vegetation within the armoring is non-native with some scattered native tree and shrub species.The average slope of the riverbank,between the Riverbank Trail and water's edge,ranges between 34 and 44 percent.These factors have reduced riverbank complexity,which,has contributed to a loss of riparian habitat on the subject site (Exhibit G).Of the area of the subject site within the Willamette Greenway boundary,92 percent of the site is covered by buildings or structures (approximately 5.92 acres),impermeable surfaces (approximately 9.03 acres),or other (gravel)surfaces (3.09 acres),as illustrated on Sheet R1.0 Regulatory Plan.Existing structures proposed to remain include the EWEB Headquarters,Steam Plant,and Willamette Substation. As illustrated on Sheet R1.0 Regulatory Plan,the proposed Greenway setback varies in width from 25 feet to 125 feet adjacent the Willamette River,as delineated from the top-of-bank.The setback's variable width responds to existing site conditions and anticipated redevelopment consistent with the Downtown Riverfront Concept Plan vision.Existing structures,including the EWEB Headquarters, Steam Plant,and Willamette Substation,are excluded from the setback area.The EWEB Headquarters and Steam Plant are envisioned for adaptive reuse and are therefore excluded to enable future redevelopment. At the northern extent of the subject site,the setback is approximately 160 feet in width and encompasses all property currently in use as open space and proposed to be Riverfront Park.The setback aligns with the eastern perimeter of the EWEB Headquarters North Building and EWEB Headquarters South Building and increases to approximately 110 feet in width to encompass the EWEB waterfront plaza and public access points between buildings.In the middle portion of the subject site,the setback aligns with the eastern edge of the proposed relocated Riverfront Trail,is approximately 120 feet in width,and includes all areas designated for Riverfront Park use between the trail and the river.Further south,the setback aligns with the eastern perimeters of the Steam Plant and Willamette Substation and includes all areas between those properties and the river.In the southern extent of the subject site,the setback is approximately 50 feet and encompasses additional areas designated for park or cultural landscape and open space uses and riparian/bank enhancement. In total the proposed Willamette Greenway Setback will protect 3.67 acres of the subject site. Adoption of the setback ensures that no new buildings will be constructed between the setback and the river,that adequate public access is provided along the river frontage,that limited existing habitat is preserved,and that the remaining natural vegetative fringe is protected.Section C.3.K of Goal 15 provides guidance on uses allowed within the Willamette Greenway Setback in accordance with the above objectives. City of Eugene 54FINALSUBMITTALJuly 22, 2019, Work Session – Item 3