Item 8: Ordinance Establishing Chambers Special Area Zone

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for &peciflc locations where the impact of such development will not erode or destabilize existing residential neighborhoods. Recent and planned apartment developments in Eugene's downtown commercial district (e.g., the,Aurora apartments at 100 W. 11th Ave.) illustrate this approach. OnJuly 20, 2005, the Eugene City Council explicitly endorsed this targeted approach by 'adopting a motion that directs the city manager to incorporate "opportunity siting" as the primary strategy for achieving density targets in Mixed Use Zoning Districts. The adopted motion describes opportunity siting as follows: "a mechanism that protects the health and stability of existing neighborhoods by focusing density on targeted parcels of vacant or redevelopable property. Opportunity siting identifies specific sites with potential for medium, high, or very-high density residential development and provides upzoning as an' incentive for complying with design standards. It is combined with strategies to protect existing residential areas such as; down zoning; exclusion from the MUZD boundaries; and/or limiting conversion to non~residential uses. Instead of blanket zoning that permits multiple units on all MUZD residential parcels; density is obtained by selective projects developed compatibly at very high densities. This maintains the character and fabric of the existing neighborhood while providing a variety of housing tyPes to serve different populations, and increasing the overall net density of the area. This is exactly the approach supported by residents of the CR project area. Specifically within the CR project area, there are numerous underutilized areas in the commercial strips along W. 11 th Ave. and Garfield Street that are suitable for redevelopment as well-designed apartments, condominiums, townhouses, or row houses. (See page 56 for a table of such properties.) Such development could achieve a significant increase in density in the CR area without destabilizing existing residential neighborhoods. And, whereas infill in CR residential areas probably cannot add sufficient residents to support major transformation of businesses along CR commercial corridors to pedestrian- oriented businesses, thoughtfully planned medium- to high-density residential development in the commercial zones might enable the type of mixed use development the CR project is intended to promote. As residents who already "walk the talk" about compact, close-in living, we support "smart growth" - growing up, not out. But truly "smart" development won't squander the established neighborhoods that provide Eugene's rare examples of successful pedestrian-friendly, transportation-efficient lifestyle. November I, 2005 Chambers Revisited - Neighbors' Report 8