Item 5: Ordinance on River Ridge Metro Plan Diagram Amendment

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan Land Use Diagram; Amending the Willakenzie Area Plan Pursuant to Section 9.7750(4) of the Eugene Code, 1971; Adopting a Severability Clause; and Providing an Effective Date; Returning the “River Ridge” Site to the Low Density Residential Designation (River Ridge, Eugene File MA 09-3 and Lane County file PA09-5465) Meeting Date: November 9, 2009 Agenda Item Number: 5 Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Emily Jerome www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541/682-5010 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council is scheduled to take action on a change to the Metro Plan diagram and a conforming change to a map in the applicable refinement plan, the Willakenzie Area Plan. The subject site (“the River Ridge site”) now has a Parks and Open Space designation in the Metro Plan and the refinement plan. The proposal, initiated by the Eugene City Council, would return the approximately 63-acre River Ridge site to its original Metro Plan designation of Low Density Residential. Approval of the proposal would result in plan designations that are consistent with the site’s current R-1 Low Density Residential base zone. The entire River Ridge site is located within the urban growth boundary, with a portion located outside of the City limits. BACKGROUND On May 11, 2009, the Eugene City Council voted to initiate the proposed action. To approve the proposal, the City Council must adopt an ordinance amending the Metro Plan and Willakenzie Area Refinement Plan land use diagrams. In addition to the City’s approval, approval is required from the Lane County Board of Commissioners for that portion of the River Ridge site that is located outside of the city limits. After holding a joint public hearing and deliberations, the Eugene and Lane County Planning Commissions both recommended approval of the amendments to the Metro Plan and Willakenzie Area Refinement Plan land use diagrams. On October 27, 2009, the Eugene City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners held a joint public hearing. At the October 27 public hearing, six individuals testified (one in favor and five in opposition). Written testimony was also submitted at the public hearing and is included as Attachment C. The public hearing and record were closed on that date. The board is scheduled to take action on November 10, 2009. The packet for the public hearing included a draft ordinance and findings approving the requested Metro Plan amendment with a condition that would require, prior to the approval of any land division or site review application for the property, the applicant must demonstrate that the proposed development is consistent with the State Transportation Planning Rule (TPR). This state transportation rule demonstration would be in addition to applicable requirements of the Traffic Impact Analysis Review in the Eugene City Code. The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), the Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M091109\S0911095.doc