Item 3: Ordinance Concerning Jefferson/Far West Plan Amendments

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(1)(c) The refinement plan amendment is consistent with the remaining portions of the refinement plan. The Jefferson-Far West Refinement Plan diagram amendment to re-designate 57 acres of land from Low-Medium Density Residential to Low Density Residential and text amendment describing the land use diagram are consistent with the remaining portions of the refinement plan. The findings below describe how the Jefferson-Far West Refinement Plan text and diagram amendments are consistent with the policy direction contained in the Jefferson-Far West Refinement Plan. Policies found to be applicable to this request are addressed below. Land Use Policies 15. Low- to Medium-Density Residential Area This area shall be recognized as a low- to medium-density residential area. The City shall explore methods of encouraging an increase in residential density yet maintaining the character of the area. Residential densities beyond ten units per acre shall be allowed, subject to an approved block plan or rezoning to R-2 in conjunction with site review. The City shall encourage block planning, infilling and shared housing, in this area. Access to housing units off of alleys shall be accommodated when not in conflict with other policies and goals. The City shall encourage the rehabilitation of the existing housing stock through both public and private reinvestments (page 27-28). The above policy is the subject of the refinement plan amendment request. If approved, the amendment will clarify the first sentence, changing it to “this area shall be recognized as a low density residential area.” It will also strike the third sentence, referring to allowing densities in excess of 10 units per acre if accompanied by a block plan or a site review suffix. The rest of the policy will remain as is, and will still reflect the applicable residential density findings in the plan, including: This area consists primarily of single-family residential structures built between 1920 and 1950…the average parcel size is in the area is approximately 8,276 square feet (page 27). Although some rezoning and lot partition applications have been approved since the refinement plan was adopted, the area still consists primarily of lots zoned R-1. Most are developed with single family dwellings, but many lots contain more than one dwelling unit. In their motion to initiate these amendments, City Council also included a sunset clause that would cause the area to revert back to Low- to Medium-Density development on July 1, 2008. The sunset clause acknowledges that the long term development pattern envisioned in the refinement plan does include medium-density development. The city is also actively pursuing development of infill standards that would address some of the concerns associated with the medium-density designation. (2) The refinement plan amendment addresses one or more of the following: (a) An error in the publication of the refinement plan. (b) New inventory material which relates to a statewide planning goal.