Item 4: Southbank Bike Viaduct: Metro Plan Amendment

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: An Ordinance Amending the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan Text, Chapter III, Section D, Policy #11; Adopting an Exception to Statewide Planning Goal 15 Willamette River Greenway; Adopting a Severability Clause; and Providing an Effective Date (Eugene City file MA 09-4) Meeting Date: October 12, 2009 Agenda Item Number: 4 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Heather O’Donnell www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541/682-5488 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council is scheduled to take action on an amendment to the text of the Metro Plan, including an exception to Statewide Planning Goal 15 (Willamette River Greenway), that would allow the placement of fill within the Willamette Greenway boundary for the purpose of constructing the South Bank Viaduct bicycle and pedestrian path beneath the Willamette River I-5 Bridges. BACKGROUND On September 22, 2009, the Eugene and Springfield City Councils and the Lane County Board of Commissioners held a joint public hearing on a City of Springfield initiated proposal for the I-5 Willamette Bridge Replacement Project. The proposal would amend the Metro Plan text and adopt an exception to Statewide Planning Goal 15 that would allow the placement of fill within the Willamette Greenway boundary for the purpose of constructing the South Bank Viaduct bicycle and pedestrian path beneath the Willamette River I-5 Bridges. Vicinity maps are included at the end of the Metro Plan Findings (Exhibit A of Attachment A). At the public hearing, no one provided public testimony. Following the public hearing, the Eugene City Council, the Springfield City Council and the Lane County Board of Commissioners voted to leave the record open until September 30, 2009, in order to receive additional testimony. No testimony was received by the cities of Eugene or Springfield or by Lane County. Approval of a plan amendment requires the City to adopt an ordinance. Approval of a three- jurisdictional Metro Plan amendment requires the jurisdictions to adopt identical decisions. To comply with the charter requirements for ordinances, a draft ordinance approving the requested Metro Plan amendment has been prepared and is attached for your reference (Attachment A). The Planning Commission’s findings of approval, which provide a detailed analysis of the proposal’s compliance with applicable approval criteria, are attached to the ordinance as Exhibit A. These are identified as general findings so that the council can amend or adopt it as necessary. This ordinance, including any changes directed by the City Council, will be the adopting ordinance in the event that the council finds that the proposed amendment complies with the applicable approval criteria. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M091012\S0910124.doc