Item 8: Ordinance Establishing Chambers Special Area Zone

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interests of families that live in the CR project area. We think OUf efforts represent informed public involvement at its best, and we hope City officials will respect and heed our observations and recommendations. Additional background The City of Eugene has a broad policy to promote higher-denslty residential development within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). As discussed in the next section of this report, the City has also adopted explicit policies to protect the character of existing residential neighborhoods, including those within the CR project area. Unfortunately, over the past twenty or so years, the City has done a great deal to allow and require greater density, but has done almost nothing to protect neighborhood character. As part of the attempt to increase density, the City has previously taken several actions in the CR project area, including zoning changes (e.g., from R-I to R-2 and R-3). The City has also significantly increased the number of units required and allowed on R-2 lots, which is the designation for a large section of the CR project area that was historically a single-family residential neighborhood. In addition, various City planning activities have considered sections ofthe CR project area that are currently zoned R-l as potential areas for increased density (Le., by changing the zoning). As a result of increased densities allowed (and required in many cases) in established single-family sections of the CR project area, additional houses and apartments have been added to lots that were originally occupied by a single home. A few of these additions have been attractive, appropriately-scaled, well- sited dwellings that enhance the neighborhood. Unfortunately, however, most infill structures in this area have been sited and built in ways that erode the neighborhood character and degrade existing residents' privacy, safety, and peaceful enjoyment of their own homes and streets. For many years, residents in the CR project area have tried unsuccessfully to get the City to help protect their neighborhoods from the impacts of poorly-sited, badly-designed, and overbuilt infill. Beginning in the late 199Os, the City has also attempted to promote denser development by establishing mixed-use residential centers (aka "MUCs" or "nodes") that are compact, pedestrian-friendly, and well-served by public transportation. The City is now in the process of its third attempt (Le., the current "Chambers Revisited" project) to further nodal development in the area around the intersection of West 11111 Avenue and Chambers Street. During each of these three attempts, neighbors have strongly expressed their concerns over the harmful impact of poorly sited and designed infill. Neighbors have voiced similar concerns about potential redevelopment of both residential and non-residential parts of the CR project area. As the CR project was launched, city staff repeatedly emphasized to CR residents that this project was meant to help address residents' long-standing concerns by developing - and proposing for adoption by City Council- effective infill and redevelopment siting and design standards November 1, 2005 Chambers Revisited - Neighbors' Report 5