CC Minutes - 10/12/05 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

M I N U T E S Eugene City Council Work Session McNutt Room—Eugene City Hall October 12, 2005 Noon COUNCILORS PRESENT: George Poling, Jennifer Solomon, Bonny Bettman, David Kelly, Betty Taylor, Andrea Ortiz, Chris Pryor. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Gary Papé. In the absence of Mayor Kitty Piercy, Council President George Poling called the October 12, 2005, work session of the Eugene City Council to order. A. WORK SESSION: ORDINANCE CONCERNING CHAMBERS SPECIAL AREA ZONE Senior Planner Allen Lowe of the Planning Division provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled “Chambers Reconsidered,” which summarized the Chambers Reconsidered Project, a project to implement the mixed- use concept in the neighborhood. He shared a series of aerial photographs to demonstrate the boundaries of the study area and changes in the area over time, including examples of higher density infill developments that occurred and created neighborhood resistance to such developments. Mr. Lowe reviewed the history of the project, noting it began in fall 2004 with an exploration of issues and values. Participants identified variables that could be manipulated to influence neighborhood character. The process resulted in development standards intended to ensure a higher degree of compatibility with existing development. Mr. Lowe shared slides showing the area impacted by the draft zoning code, noting not all parts of the neighborhood would be affected by the new standards. He pointed out the area known as the East Traditional Neighborhood (ETN), the area of most concern to the members of the Chambers Area Families for Healthy Neighborhoods (CAFHN). The development standards would be applied to the ETN. Mr. Lowe said the aim of the project was to allow an existing developed neighborhood to intensify while preserving its essential character. Defining characteristics of the neighborhood included the grid street system, alleys, and the patterns of the sidewalks, as well as the lot sizes, building forms, and relationship of the buildings to the street. The draft code was structured around those characteristics. Mr. Lowe said as the process went on, participants realized the allowed levels of density in the R-2 zone predisposed the area to wholesale redevelopment as opposed to selective infill. Much of the study area was designated for medium-density development, which also encouraged higher densities and attached multi- family dwellings. However, the neighborhood current consisted largely of detached dwellings. Mr. Lowe said the process considered building form, lot area, width, and depth, density, building height, and side yard setbacks. He said process also considered neighborhood character, such as front yard setback, roof pitch, MINUTES—Eugene City Council October 12, 2005 Page 1 Work Session