Item 3: Ordinance Concerning Jefferson/Far West Plan Amendments

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standards contributed only marginally to increased density while having substantial destabilizing effects on the neighborhood. 5 Independent assessment by Planning staff and consultants on the "Chambers Revisited" project team confirmed residents' analysis. In their final draft report (June 28, 2005), the senior planner in charge of the project and two private consultants stated: "The currently allowed [R-2] densities effectively pennit a level of intensification that will, over time, fundamentally change the character of the [ETN] neighborhood. Because Area 15 has a highly similar grid street pattern, lot configuration, and single- family development pattern as the ETN, the conclusions reached by residents, staff, and . consultants applies to Area IS, as well- R-2 development will fundamentally change the character of the neighborhood and evidence strongly suggests this change will occur through inexorable degradation and destabilization of the area. Allowing such development to occur in Area 1 5 would conflict with the refinement plan policy's explicit intent to mailltain the cllaracter of tIle area.6 , While the Jefferson/Far West Refmement Plan envisions selective, carefully controlled development projects in Area 15, including projects that may exceed R-l's one- and t\VO- dwelling-per-lot limit, the November IS, 2006 code interpretation of the Area 15 policy (file CI 06-13) has thrown the entire area wide open to unlimitedR-2 development/ This staff action has confIrmed re,sidents' fears that staff vvill simpl)! ignore the refinement plan's policy to "maintain the character of the neighborhood" when R-2 zone change applications are re\llewed. And thus, staff s action has gi'ven additional inlpetus and urgency to Council's directi\re that plan and code amendments to provide protection of this area should be implemented as a "high priorit~y." History and intent of the JeffersonlFar West Refinement Plan Area 15 policy The Jefferson/F ar West Refinement Plan was \vritten during 1980 to 1982 by a planning team consisting of eight residents appointed by the two encompassing neighborhood associations (Jefferson Area Neighbors and Far West Neighborhood Association) and five representatives of the area business and religious community, Lane County Fairgrounds and Ida Patterson Community School. The final draft of the refinement plan was complete,d in June, 1982. The plan \\-'as adopted. by City Council on Jalluary 12, 1983. Thus, the text of the plan should be interpreted in the context of land use policies and code in effect d.uring this period. (In this docu.m.ellt, we use "1983-era" as a shorthand for this period.) 5 These findings are available in the "Chambers Revisited Neighbors' Report," which is part of the City Council public hearing record on the. Chalubers Special Area Zone and available on-line at cnrneighbors~org. 6 Such development \vould also conflict \vith the Metro Plan policy A.25 requirelnent to "increase the stability and quality of older residen.tial neighborhoods" and Eugene's Gro\vthf\fanagement Policy #6 to "maintain the character and livability of individual neighborhoods.'~ 7 Staff's interpretation both misreads the plain language of the Area 15 policy and entirely ignores other parts of the Jefferson/Far West refmenlentPlan that clarify the policy, the historical context in which the policy \vas \vritten, statements by members of the J/F\V plarnling team, and rn.otionsby the JWN membership stating the intended meaning of the policy. On November 21, the J\\r.N .Executive Board voted unanitnously to appeal this decision. 3