Item C: Engaging the Community in Land Use and Future Growth Options

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Engaging the Community in Land Use and Future Growth Options Meeting Date: October 12, 2009 Agenda Item Number: C Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Carolyn Weiss www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541/682-8816 ISSUE STATEMENT This work session will be facilitated by staff and provides an opportunity for the councilors to share their thoughts about how to engage the public and council in a dialogue about Eugene’s future land need. Specifically, the purpose of this work session is to hear from the council on issues of importance in guiding the process for the next few months, and into 2010. BACKGROUND The goal of the Eugene Comprehensive Lands Analysis (ECLA) is to determine whether Eugene has a sufficient supply of land within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) to meet the projected demand for residential, commercial, industrial, and public/semi-public land over the next 20 years. This study addresses House Bill 3337, which directed the City of Eugene to undertake a study of residential lands sufficiency. The scope was expanded by the City Council to assess all land types, including employment lands (commercial and industrial) and public/semi-public land needs. ECLA findings will be complete at the end of 2009. In the event that ECLA shows that we do not have enough land within the UGB for the next 20 years, options for accommodating the City’s 20-year residential, commercial and industrial demand will need to be explored. Options may include expanding the urban growth boundary, adopting new land use efficiency measures, or a combination of both. Helping the community understand the options and engage in the conversation about our future growth will be critical. This work session is an opportunity to talk about how we, as a community, ensure that there is broad and meaningful public involvement in these conversations. Many other projects on the Planning Division’s Work Plan will provide valuable and timely information into this process as illustrated in attachment A. Projects such as Infill Compatibility Standards give us a better understanding of the community’s threshold for density. Projects such as Opportunity Siting and Mixed Use Centers identify tools and incentives to encourage density in appropriate locations that is compatible with its surroundings. And still other current City efforts in the area of economic development, climate change, and food security will provide additional clarity in our efforts to envision the future for Eugene. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M091012\S091012C.doc