Item A: River Road/Santa Clara Transition Project

Home Browse Search

along Beltline Road with older commercial development along portions of River Road. Approximately 29% of River Road has been annexed to the City of Eugene. The City of Eugene has just announced a historic sites survey and study for River Road. Such an undertaking obviously serves the development of a neighborhood heritage strategy well, and should both inform and be part of any suite of heritage options selected as an outcome of this White Paper. Santa Clara The subdivision pattern of local streets in Santa Clara is generally more uniform than in the case of River Road. As a general characterization, subdivisions in the more southerly parts of this neighborhood look much like that between Howard and Beltline in the River Road community. Subdivisions gradually become more “contemporary” (e.g.: more cul-de-sacs and grid-like with fewer perfectly rectangular, 2:1 ratio lots) the further north one goes in Santa Clara. There is also a high coincidence between these more contemporary subdivisions and incorporation into the City. In contrast to River Road, approximately 40% of the neighborhood has been annexed. While there are more and larger undeveloped tracts in Santa Clara than in the River Road neighborhood, Santa Clara is still relatively close to build-out (at least based on the parameter of larger tracts that could be subdivided). In-fill and redevelopment is always a possibility especially in older parts of the neighborhood. Commercial development is concentrated along Beltline Road. Transition and Heritage Options Lower or differing housing densities, “rural” building design standards, provisions for preserving treed streetscapes and existing street sections, requirements and improvements supporting neighborhood commercial zones, and open space retention are all potential elements in preserving the rural and community heritage and identity of River Road and Santa Clara. These and other alternatives are discussed service by service in other sections of this White Paper. Nonetheless, the most effective way to analyze alternatives and reach consensus on such a diversity of planning and services issues is probably NOT how they are treated within the context and limitations of this White Paper (e.g.: through taking up each issue separately). Simply put, the best way to reasonably assure that selected transition or heritage strategies or elements consider all the options available, and more importantly consider different service options as they play off against one another, is through a comprehensive neighborhood planning effort. River Road/Santa Clara Transition Options Transition and heritage options are not distinguished for the purposes of this White Paper section (see the discussion under “Heritage Options” below). Also, note that many of the Transition and Heritage Options discussed elsewhere in this White Paper under Parks, Streets, and other service topics have important planning elements and impacts. The two options discussed below are those not touched on directly elsewhere in this White Paper. Heritage Options ? Option No. 1: Neighborhood Transition Planning and Facilitation – This option is effectively underway and funded by the City. One outcome, for instance, will be this White Paper, and another may be a set of strategies that the City and neighborhoods (and other stakeholders such as existing local service districts – water, fire and recreation) can agree to and implement. Conceivably, some elements of the 1987 River Road/Santa Clara Urban Facilities Plan could be updated and/or expanded as part of a neighborhood refinement plan in conjunction with the current transition planning effort. Advantages: Is already funded and underway; addresses a relatively broad range of service issues; allows for the practical and strategic selection of heritage options; establishes a vehicle for the entire community to participate in planning their 25 River Road/Santa Clara Transition/Heritage White Paper DRAFT 11-24-05 Service provider Review