Item 8: Ordinance Establishing Chambers Special Area Zone

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mix. The lots in this area vary in size, with a few lots that are significantly larger than those typically found in the other two residential areas. There are north-south alleys between West lib and West 13th that provide rear access to lots on Grant, Hayes, and Garfield Streets. Other than one alley apartment, there appears to be little, ifany, infill. About sixty per cent of this area is currently zoned R-I and the rest is zoned R-2. Adjoining these single-family areas and separating them from one another are local collector or through streets - including West 8th, 11th (west of Chambers) and 13th Avenues and Chambers and Garfield Streets. These streets are developed with a combination of single-family homes, multi-unit apartments, and commercial development. Although residents of the three areas described above share many concerns, each area has its own particular neighborhood character and priorities. For example, the two areas west of Chambers Street have more adjacent commercial properties and also have a greater likelihood for future development of medium- to large- scale apartments on commercial property or (potentially) rezoned residential property. Consequently, residents of these areas have a significant and immediate stake in standards that apply to commercial and high-density development. Residents in these areas are also concerned with rezoning R-I areas to higher density designations. In contrast, the single-family area east of Chambers Street, which covers over twice the size of the other two single-family areas combined, has little immediate threat from commercial or high-density development under current zoning and availability of vacant land. This area has, however, already experienced significant infill and has the potential for more. Much of the current infill is viewed by residents as having degraded adjacent properties and eroded the character of the area as a whole. With continuing pressure to add more infiU, residents in this area are keenly focused on residential infill standards. The next section provides a more detailed look at this area's character. Identifying the "East Traditional Neighborhood" Character The "East Traditional Neighborhood" (ETN) is the major part of the R-2 zoned area that lies east of Chambers Street in the Chambers Revisited project area. Residents of this area frequently cite the "neighborhood character" as the most important reason they choose to live here. Preventing the erosion of the ETN's neighborhood character is a high priority for neighbors and has been part of official Eugene City land use policy since the Westside Neighborhood Plan Was approved by City Council in 1987. A number of Metro Plan policies (see the "Residential Neighborhood Land Use Goals and Policies" section, above), also support protection of neighborhood character against incompatible development. For example, Metro Plan policy A.25 specifically states: "... increase the stability and quality of older residential neighborhoods... " November 1, 2005 Chambers Revisited - Neighbors' Report 15