Item A: River Road/Santa Clara Transition Project

Home Browse Search

ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: River Road/Santa Clara Transition Project Meeting Date: January 11, 2006 Agenda Item Number: A Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Jim Carlson www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5524 ISSUE STATEMENT This work session provides an opportunity for the Mayor and City Council to discuss the current status of the River Road and Santa Clara Transition Project. David Reed, the transition manager, will be present to discuss progress which has been made and the current public involvement efforts being undertaken in this area. BACKGROUND Issues involving the River Road and Santa Clara neighborhoods have seen continuous activity for at least the last 25 years. The installation of sanitary sewer service to resolve an identified groundwater pollution problem in the 1990s created controversy in the neighborhoods. The adoption of the Eugene- Springfield Metro Plan in 1982 led to an effort referred to as urban transition involving Lane County and the cities of Eugene and Springfield. This intergovernmental effort resulted in the transfer of Awbrey Park from Lane County to the City, an intergovernmental agreement which calls for the City to administer land use and building permits in the unincorporated area, and an agreement related to the transfer of county roads to the City in exchange for Lane County road fund resources. The Metro Plan also called for the adoption of a “River Road-Santa Clara Urban Facilities Plan” which was completed in 1987and remains the refinement plan for the area. The Metro Plan also requires that all new development in the area take place inside the city limits. This has resulted in several hundred small-scale annexations since 1980, many of which are non-contiguous to the main part of the City. Currently, approximately 40% of the land area of both River Road and Santa Clara are within the city limits, about 40% of the residential units in Santa Clara and 30% of the residential units in River Road are inside the city. Essentially all of the commercial properties in the two areas are within the city. River Road and Santa Clara Urban Services Committees were jointly formed by Lane County and Eugene in 2000 and issued their Final Report and Recommendations in September 2002. “The committees recommended that the City and County appoint a high-level staff position to oversee the transition process. The transition manager would supervise studies, committees, programs, and policies related to improving urban services in River Road Santa Clara.” In the FY04 budget process, the City identified some residual bond fund resources which were dedicated to this effort. In FY2004, a Fiscal Analysis of Urban Services in River Road and Santa Clara was prepared by ECONorthwest as a part of the effort and David Reed and Associates was chosen as the Transition Manager. David and his team have been working over the past two years to serve as a resource and communication link for City staff, L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060111\S060111A.doc