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<br /> <br />Based on these discussions, staff recommends that City Council initiate a code amendment for <br />downtown-related regulations. This action will set in motion a series of public hearings, work sessions <br />and public workshops. This public process will effectively and comprehensively address issues <br />identified or overlooked so far, determine if a new or revised overlay district is needed to support <br />desired development downtown, and implement recommended solutions to more closely align the Land <br />Use Code with the desired future for downtown. <br /> <br />A work session has been scheduled with the Planning Commission for September 26, 2005, to present a <br />Citizen Involvement Plan for downtown-related zoning code revisions. Based on City Council action on <br />this item, the draft CIP will incorporate priorities and suggestions by the council. <br /> <br />Prompt action is recommended. The momentum for downtown development is growing, and significant <br />discussion of new projects is underway. Timely action to begin the dialogue on amending the Land Use <br />Code to include an appropriate overlay zoning district for downtown will help support and encourage <br />desired downtown development. <br /> <br /> <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br />Relevant Growth Management Policies include the following: <br />Policy 1 Support the existing Eugene Urban Growth Boundary by taking actions to increase <br />density and use existing vacant land and under-used land within the boundary more <br />efficiently. <br />Policy 2 Encourage in-fill, mixed-use, redevelopment, and higher density development. <br />Policy 3 Encourage a mix of businesses and residential uses downtown using incentives and <br />zoning. <br /> <br />The first three Growth Management Policies address the importance of compact development and <br />density. Policy 2 specifically encourages higher density development within existing development <br />areas. Policy 3 refers to the role of zoning in the effort to encourage desired development downtown. <br /> <br />Relevant Downtown Plan polices include the following: <br />Downtown development shall support the urban qualities of density, vitality, livability and <br />? <br /> <br />diversity to create a downtown, urban environment. <br />Stimulate multi-unit housing in the downtown core and on the edges of downtown for a variety of <br />? <br /> <br />income levels and ownership opportunities. <br />Facilitate dense development in the Courthouse area and other sites between the core of <br />? <br /> <br />downtown and the river. <br />Reinforce residential use in neighborhoods abutting the downtown commercial core to help <br />? <br /> <br />contain commercial activity in downtown and maintain the historic character and livability of <br />adjacent neighborhoods. <br /> <br />The Downtown Plan policies reinforce the commitment to emphasize downtown Eugene as a strong <br />regional center, and a diverse, dense, economically strong urban center. The first three policies above <br />specifically encourage the transformation of vacant and underutilized sites and the development of dense <br />commercial, residential, and cultural activities. <br /> <br /> L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050912\S050912B.doc <br /> <br />