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<br />Mr. Kelly commented that density was either done well or done poorly and .many communities had <br />established processes for accommodating density \vithout destroying the neighborhood. He agreed "vita Ms. <br />Ortiz regarding the need for affordable housing and neighborhood diversity. He agreed ,vith Mr. Pape's <br />concern about establishing a precedent and the cumulative effect of restricting density an acre ata time; <br />hov.rever, he perceived a specific technical problem in the subject neighborhood and would be wining to <br />consider a code change or refinement plan change that \vould detlnean overlay to enable 10\\7 to medium <br />density in combination \vith site revie\v, consistent with the refinement plan. <br /> <br />Ms. Piercy expressed her appreciation for the discussion about ho\v to live more densely "vhile preserving <br />the character of neighborhoods. She thought. another council goal should be to ensure tbeeconomic diversity <br />of residents\vithin neighborhoods. She \vas interested in a tool to accomplish density \vhile preserving <br />neighborhood character that.could be applied broadly instead of taking a piecemeal approach. <br /> <br />Mr. Pryor said the challenge \vas to find a unified approach that addressed the problem of density .and <br />neighborhood character across the community. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettrnan pointed out tbat the neighborhood in question was the densest neighborhood in the entire city <br />and included a variety of housing types.. She said it \\tras important to the health of the entire neighborhood <br />that Area 15 remain a stable section of single-family homes. She hoped that the solution could be simple <br />and not require an extraordinary amount of resources. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor said the neighborhood \vas not wealthy or sparsely populated and urgent attention "vas needed to <br />protect it. Regarding mixed housing, she referred to ber previous discussions of inclusionary zoning, which <br />she thought should happen but was currently prohibited by the State. She hoped that the Council Committee <br />on Intergovemnlental. Relations could take the matter up during the next legislative session. <br /> <br />Mr. Pape agreed that \vhile the neighborhood \vas morc.densely developed than the south hills or other areas <br />in the community, it still did not match.the planned for density. He ,vas not certain tbat tbe neighborhood <br />\vould be opposed to appropriate densifying of the area. He asked ,vnich of the two options under <br />consideration \vas the n10st legaUy.defensible. City Attorney Emily Jerome replied that \vhile the options <br />\vereproceduraJly differen.t, each of them \vas legally defensible. <br /> <br />Mr, Pape asked if the two options were short of a Metro Plan amendment. Ms. JerOll1e replied that the <br />proposed process \vas t\:vo-step. . She said the neighborhood and staff agreed to present to the council tbe <br />possibility of a Metro Plan amendment process to identify the neighborhood as low density\vhich could.take <br />some time, and an.jnterpretation process to address the neighborhood's concerns in.the interim. The <br />neighborhood hoped the interpretation'\vould be consistent with the way they vieVv'led the intent of the <br />neighborhood refinement plan and provide a basis for arguing against an upzone in the area until the Metro <br />Plan amendment took effect. She noted that, this t\VO-stCP strategy was vie"red..by the neighborhood as an <br />interinl ll1easure and infill standards \vere regarded as the.best way to address concerns about density, She <br />clarified that the neighborhood's intent is to support a return to a medium density Metro Plan designation <br />once the Council has adopted infiU standards. Ms. Muir added that staff\vas committed to making an <br />administrative interpretation decision initially and, if appealed, the interpretation would move through the <br />appeal process. <br /> <br />Mr. Pape asked if the decision vvouldapply to other neighborhoods. Ms. Muir said the decision \vould only <br />apply to the Jefferson-Par West Refinement Plan but clarified that anyone could request an interpretation by <br />the Planning Director by filing a form and paying a fee. <br /> <br />MINUTES-City Council <br />Work Session <br /> <br />August 16, 2006 <br /> <br />Page 5 <br />