Item 5: Ordinances on Minor Code Amendments

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Minor Code Amendment Project (Remand) An Ordinance Concerning Building Height in the University Area; Readopting Provisions from Ordinance No. 20418 in Response to Remand; Amending Section 9.6410 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing an Effective Date and a Sunset Date An Ordinance Concerning Parking in the University Area; Readopting Provisions from Ordinance No. 20418 in Response to Remand; Amending Section 9.2751 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing an Effective Date and a Sunset Date Meeting Date: October 12, 2009 Agenda Item Number: 5 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Alissa Hansen www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541/682-5508 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council will consider taking action on two ordinances that amend sections of the Eugene Land Use Code (Chapter 9) that (1) lower maximum building heights in a 16-block area in the South University neighborhood, and (2) increase parking requirements for multi-family developments based on number of bedrooms in the South and West University neighborhoods. BACKGROUND On September 21, 2009, the City Council held a public hearing to consider readopting land use regulations on building height and parking in the university area. A total of 24 individuals testified at the City Council public hearing. Written testimony received at the public hearing and prior to the public hearing was forwarded to the City Council, under separate cover, on September 24, 2009. Testimony heard at the public hearing and received in writing has been fairly balanced between those who support and those who do not support the re-adoption of the regulations. Those who supported the regulations commonly noted that they provide interim protection measures for the neighborhoods until a more permanent solution can be adopted. Those opposed to the re-adoption raised policy and practical considerations, particularly related to the parking provision, and encouraged the City Council to instead implement a set of pending proposals on building height and parking rather than re-instate these provisions at this time. Testimony from several individuals also recommended that the findings addressing the relevant policy from the West University Refinement Plan be revised to clarify that this particular policy provides aspirational guidance while other plan policies provide prescriptive guidance. The testimony also stated that these revisions to the findings are needed to avoid unintended consequences in future application of the refinement plan policies. Based on comments from Councilor Brown following the public hearing, staff has prepared alterative findings addressing these concerns. These revised findings are provided in Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M091012\S0910125.doc