Item 3: Ordinance Concerning Jefferson/Far West Plan Amendments

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The equivalence table above can be used to better understand the intent of the current Area 15 policy by. considering the hypothetical question: If the intent of the JIFW planning team was to allow development on selected lots in the "low- to medium-density" area to approach the maximum number of units allowed by the R-2 zone in 1982~ what maximum density limit would we need to set under current zoning code? The answer is 9. 7 du/na. Another way to understand the context in which the Area 15 policy was developed is that the JIFW Planning Team was formulating the policy at a time when the R-2 zone allowed roughly a third the density allowed under current R-2 standards. The tripling ofR-2 maximum density~ over the last two decades is the primary reason tllat development allowed under R-2 is so incompatible and destabilizing for established single-family resi.dential areas, such as Area 15. Jefferson Westside Neighbors motion regarding "Io"r- to medium-density" As mentioned earlier, the J/FW Refinement Plan embodies the principle that residents and their neighborhood association should have a pivotal role in deciding how their own neighborhood would develop over time. Consistent \vith this perspective, the JWN has actively deliberated on the intent of the Area 15 policy. On September 12, 2006, the JWNunanimousl)T (33-0) adopted the following motion Jefferson Westside Neighbors (JWN) intends that the JefferSOJ1/Far West Refinement Plan policy for "Jefferson residential area #15" (on pages 27~28), ,,,hiell states (in the first paragraph): This area shall be recognized as a low- to medium-dellsit)J residential area. TheCit)) shall explore methods of' encouragil'lg an increase in residerllial densit)i }'et maintaining tlIe character of the area. Residential densities beyond ten units per. acre shall be allolved, su~ject to an approved block plan or rezoning to R-2 in conjunction with site review. sh.all be applied \:v~itIl the following interpretation~ "Then appl.icable in the re'liew of zone change applications alld other land use a,ctions: · TIle "low- to medium-dep.sity" range shall ha\!e a maximum efl'ective density. less than tile maximum R-2 density ill e.ffect on the date the JeffersolllFar West Planning Team developed the policy for Area # 15, specifically as of Jul)! 1, 1982 or earlier.. Th.e determination. of the equivalent maxinlum density under current regulations shall take illto acc()unt the effect of the "round. up" provisioll that is part of c.urrent code such that the equi\Talent\ralue for current maximum densitjr prodllcesas close as possible tIle same results tllat would have been produced .by th.e "round do\vn" provision in effect ill 1982. range. The substantial effect of the "round up'~ provision is an aspect of current nlaxiInum density standard.s that may not be fully a.ppreciated by some City staff and officials. 9