Resolution No. 3699 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Goal 3 -- Agricultural Lands: 'To preserve and maintain agricultural lands. Discussion: The Study provides di sussi on of soils conditions in the Basin. The Study notes that the Basin contains some of the least productive agricultural soils in the metropolitan area, generally consisting of Class III and Iii rated agricultural soils, with isolated pockets of Class II soils on the flatland and Class VI soils in the upper portions of the Basin. The Study concludes discussion on agricultural uses in the Basin by noting that during deve l opment , of the Metropolitan Plan, the relatively low degree of potential agricultural productivity in the Basin was compared with other areas having greater agricultural productivity. For this reason, among others, the Basin was identified as a major growth area of the City and included within the adopted, site specific urban growth boundary with commitment to urban levels of development during the planning period. Focussing development in this part of the metropolitan area reduces pressures for urbanization on valuable farm land to the north. The reallocation of special light industrial sites occasioned by the proposed plan amendment will not affect agricultural operations in a degree different from the impact of the unamended Plan. Goal 4 -- Forest Lands: To conserve forest lands for forest uses. Discussion: Designation of the Basin for urban development through the Metropolitan General Plan effectively precluded lands within the urban growth boundary for potential use as commercial forests. However, Goal 4 also recognizes forested lands as significant for uses such as watershed protection measures and situations where soil and topographical conditions require maintenance of vegetative cover. The Special Study, through a series of proposed policies, address these latter conditions. Policy A -4 addresses a variety of issues including those identified in Goal #4. It calls for the use of planned unit development, site review and cluster subdivision procedures to address environmental issues of slope; geologic and soil conditions; properties in or adjacent to designated natural areas; and properties along natural stream courses. Policy E -1 directs the City to work with Lane County to protect forested slopes between the city limits and the ri dgel i ne of the Basin. This policy suggests that one appropriate method of achieving this objective would be to utilize as a model, Eugene's tree cutting ordinance (currently only i o n effect within the City's 1 imits) . Goal #5 -- Open Spaces, Scenic and Historic Areas, and Natural Resources: To conserve open space and protect natural scenic resources. Discussion: A major p ❑ftT ❑n of the W i l l o w Creek Special Area Study is devoted to discussion of protection of natural resources. Proposed policies A -4 and E -1 (see Goal #4 discussion above) , as well as C-3, D -1 E -2 and E -3 focus on Goal #5 issues. Policy C--3 addresses the concern for protecting the wetlands area while controlling storm run-off (see Goal #6 for further discussion) . Policy D -1 would direct the City to explore the possibility of acquiring land to site a variety of public services including a major park site and community center. Discussion in the Study itself details the use of this major park facility as w e l l as smaller park facilities anticipated to be located throughout the Basin. Policy E -2 of the Study would direct the City to acquire through a variety of mechanisms A -4