Item 8: Ordinance Establishing Chambers Special Area Zone

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'f8f1\\\\es for Healfhli ~. ;,~ I.' CAFHN October 6, 2005 Mayor Piercy and Eugene City Council Dear Mayor and Councilors, We're pleased to advise you that the Chambers Area Families for Healthy Neighborhoods (CAFHN) is in full support of the proposed ordinance establishing the S-C Chambers Special Area Zone, as recommended by the Planning Commission. The development standards proposed for the S-C zone will promote effective compact growth by allowing a substantial increase in density while protecting the stability and character of the established neighborhoods in the encompassed area. The proposed code is the result of hundreds of hours of research and discussions by residents of the area, representatives of other neighborhoods and organizations, Planning Division staff, consultants, and the Planning Commission. The success of this public process is best captured in Chairman John Lawless' statement during Planning Commission deliberations that "these infill standards for this particular setting were beautifully crafted." The exceptional public support during the Planning Commission's public hearing is another important indication of how well the standards are crafted. Approximately fifty people testified in support of standards consistent with what has been incorporated into the proposed S~CIR-2 subarea development standards. (Only a single person testified in opposition to some of the provisions.) Supporting testimony came from.Chambers area residents, residents from a variety of other neighborhoods, architects, builders, a former Planning Commissioner, and representatives of the Home Builders Association of Lane County, the Friends of Eugene, and the Eugene Tree foundation. We know that an important consideration is how the proposed S-CIR-2 standards may effect Eugene's widespread desire for compact growth. Section vn of the "Chambers Revisited Neighbors' Report" (available on~line at www.cnrNeighbors.org ) provides a thorough analysis of current and potential density. The key results (all in dwelling units per net acre) are: . Current S~CIR-2 subarea density: 9.72 du/na . Potential S-CIR-2 subarea density: 15.0 dulna (55% increase over current) . Potential for entire S-C area (future Chambers MUC), including C-I and C-2: 21.9 to 25.7 dulna