CC Minutes - 09/21/05 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Bjorklund said the GoalS inventory under consideration consisted mainly of water resources, including wetlands, ponds, rivers, and streams. He emphasized the value of riparian areas and wetlands to maintain- ing water quality, and said that healthy water systems provide humans with clean water and support wildlife. Mr. Bjorklund reminded the council that water that passed through the community was used by other communities such as Corvallis for drinking water, and the City's actions affected those individuals as well. He noted the wildlife diversity in the community, saying that there were few major mammals other than deer in the metropolitan area but other species, such as birds, plants, fish, and insects, were diverse and numerous. Mr. Bjorklund discussed the GoalS process, noting that periodic review work program item was focused on three resource types: 1) riparian corridors; 2) upland wildlife habitat; and 3) wetlands. He briefly described the characteristics of each resource type. He reviewed the steps in the process, which called for the City to map the resources, identify conflicting land uses, designate impact areas, analyze the Economic, Social, Environmental, and Energy (ESEE) consequences, determine which sites to protect, and adopt and apply protection measures. Mr. Bjorklund reviewed past key dates in the GoalS inventory process and key dates in the GoalS ESEE process. He emphasized the considerable contact between staff and affected property owners over the past few years. Mr. Bjorklund said that the council would consider adoption of the local wetland inventory and GoalS inventory of significant wetlands, minor corrections to the riparian and wildlife habitat inventory, the ESEE analysis and site recommendations, code amendments to create the \ WR Water Resources Conservation Overlay Zone, and legislative changes to apply the \WR overlay. Mr. Bjorklund called the council's attention to a map on the meeting room wall that depicted corrections to the inventory since 2003 made possible by more precise mapping tools and new information. Mr. Bjorklund reviewed the Planning Commission's recommendations. With regard to significant riparian areas, there were 950 total site acres in question and the commission recommended 886 acres for conserva- tion. With regard to significant upland habitat, there were 177 total site acres and the commission recommended 152 acres for conservation. With regard to significant wetlands, there were 619 total site acres and the commission recommended 331 acres for conservation. Mr. Bjorklund reviewed the exhibits accompanying the ordinances before the council, noting that Ordinance 1 applied inside the city limits and Ordinance 2 applied to the areas outside the city limits yet within the urban growth boundary. He said the Lane Board of County Commissioners would also have to adopt the recommendations for those areas outside the city limits. Mr. Bjorklund overviewed the proposed GoalS regulations, noting they were based on regulations already in place in the West Eugene Wetlands Plan area. He said they included flexible conservation setbacks for protected GoalS resources. The flexibility included a setback averaging option and what he termed a "reduce and restore" option that allowed a developer to reduce a setback in one area in exchange for restoration of the remaining conservation area. He indicated that previously existing development was proposed to exempt from the regulations. Mr. Bjorklund provided a Web site for additional information: www.eugeneNR.org. MINUTES-Eugene City Council Work Session September 21,2005 Page 2