CC Minutes - 07/27/05 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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42 on page 169, entitled Conduct comprehensive review of the city’s zoning map in conjunction with asset mapping, be incorporated into Mixed-Use Centers. Ms. Muir introduced John Lawless, Planning Commission President. Mr. Lawless expressed the apprecia- tion of the Planning Commission for the opportunity to talk with the City Council. He invited the council to call upon the commissioners when issues arose related to Planning Commission work program items, and asked for “real-time” feedback that provided a venue for responsive communication. Mr. Lawless commended staff for its efforts in helping the Planning Commission, noting that the work of the commission had moved smoothly and efficiently due to staff assistance. This resulted in the commission being able to address more of the high-priority items on its work program. Mr. Lawless reviewed the commission’s high-priority Accomplishments. He noted the “Chambers Reconsidered” public hearings had been very productive. They demonstrated a high level of cooperation and collaboration with the citizens in the affected neighborhood. He noted that the Eugene Redevelopment Advisory Committee (ERAC) recommendations for downtown had been a very collaborative process that brought people with different perspectives together to collaborate and share their ideas. Both projects occurred in a very progressive format that laid a foundation for future work. Mr. Lawless said discussions on the alternative path would continue, and it would be not only an alternative path, but also a “path of discovery.” The Planning Commission looked forward to citizen, community, business, and City policy input as alternative path recommendations were developed. Mr. Lawless introduced Commissioner Randy Hledik, who offered a briefing on two upcoming high-priority items, Mixed-Use Centers (MUC) and the South Hills Wildlife Habitat Study. He said the commission’s first objective was to complete a review of the Chambers MUC. He reported that there had been a high degree of involvement from the Chambers Area Families for Healthy Neighborhoods (CAHFN), and noted that the informal, final public hearing on that issue was held on July 26, 2005. The main themes that developed from this process included: ? The degree of densification, at least in this neighborhood, and preservation of private open space appeared to be the keys to preserving the neighborhood character. ? New tools that were locality-specific were being considered. CAHFN, staff, and the Planning Commission were looking at a unique approach to regulating heights and setbacks in this process as one example. ? Other neighborhoods were watching this process very carefully. It was premature to know if the lessons that were learned from this process could apply to similar work in other neighborhoods. Mr. Hledik said the commission would also look at the River Road/Rasor Park MUC, one of the original eight priority nodes. The commission’s review would be a timely supplement to the River Road/Santa Clara Transition Project provided the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) transportation growth management (TGM) grant was approved. The project would start in late 2005 and be completed approxi- mately two years later. Mr. Hledik said the commission was also looking at the Walnut Station MUC. Although it was one of the original 38 MUCs, because of other developments in the area, such as the Lane Transit District (LTD) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station at the University of Oregon (UO), the construction of the federal courthouse, a possible new UO basketball arena, and the potential for an I-5 bridge ramp, the area was ripe for commer- MINUTES—Eugene City Council July 27, 2005 Page 2 Work Session