Item 5: Public Hearing on Ordinance Establishing Chambers Special Area Zone

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Public Hearing: An Ordinance Establishing a Chambers Special Area Zone; Amending Sections 9.0500, 9.1030, 9.8030, and 9.8865 of the Eugene Code, 1971; Adding Sections 9.3050 through 9.3065 to That Code; Amending the Eugene Zoning Map; Adopting a Severability Clause; and Providing an Effective Date Meeting Date: November 14, 2005 Agenda Item Number: 5 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Allen Lowe www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5113 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council will hold a public hearing on the Draft Chambers Special Area Zone and on the application of that zone to properties within the boundaries of the zone on November 14, 2005. Public comments on the draft proposals will be heard on that date with deliberation and possible action on the proposals to follow on December 12, 2005. BACKGROUND On June 10, 2004, the City entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to conduct a Transportation Growth Management (TGM)-related planning project in the 81 acre Chambers Study Area. The Chambers Study Area is a mixed neighborhood with a blend of single-family detached homes, duplexes, apartments, businesses, and industrial developments. The study area is largely defined by the ¼ mile “walkability” criterion for mixed use (nodal) thth development areas; the study area boundaries are 7 Avenue, Polk Street, 13 Avenue and Garfield Street. This project, known as Chambers Reconsidered, builds on earlier efforts to implement mixed use (nodal) development in an existing built-out neighborhood. The project has resulted in development of infill and redevelopment standards for residential and commercial buildings that should improve the quality of new development, and recommendations for enhancements to various intersections that should result in improved pedestrian conditions in the area. The proposed standards reflect existing lot patterns, create limits on the number of units that can be placed on lots, create a building envelope that reflects predominant existing structural forms (including shorter building heights), create greater allowances for alley access units, and establish lower height limits on commercial properties that abut residential zones. While reducing the allowable density in the R-2 zoned area, the Mixed Use Center is still projected to meet or exceed minimum density targets of the zone and Metro Plan. The Chambers project has focused on removing barriers to implementation of the mixed use development concept that is central to Eugene’s growth and transportation management strategy. Previous planning efforts for this area in 1999 (Chambers Node Development Plan) and 2002 L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M051114\S0511145.doc