Item 2: Ordinance on South Willamette Metro Plan

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While these policies do not constitute mandatory approval criteria, to the extent that these policies are applicable to the proposal, the following findings are provided: The proposed amendment to Commercial would further the reuse and revitalization of an existing medical health facility as envisioned by Policy 6, as it would allow the site to accommodate a range of commercial and office development. With regard to Policies 11 and 12, the subject property is already developed as a medical health facility, and is located in an area of mixed commercial and residential uses. There are existing commercial uses immediately to the north of the subject property (an office building also zoned R3) and to the south of the property (zoned C2 Community Commercial). One block to the south is an area zoned GO; two blocks to the north is a large office complex zoned GO. The proposed amendment would open the site to a broader range of neighborhood- and community-commercial uses that have the potential to directly serve the surrounding neighborhood. This would also encourage the concentration of commercial development in the South Willamette area, rather than in outlying major retail centers. Further strip commercial activity along Willamette Street will be discouraged. Strip commercial is defined as commercial facilities which are largely oriented to automobile traffic, such as retail uses found in the C-2 General Commercial District. Small-scale General Office District developments are not considered strip commercial (Policy 22). The proposed amendment will facilitate a zone change to GO General Office and, therefore, will increase the range of commercial and office uses allowed on the site. The existing facility on the site is not an auto-oriented use, and the proposed zoning of GO General Office does not allow large-scale, auto-oriented retail establishments or “strip commercial” uses. Under GO zoning, retail sales are allowed only when located in a building that already contains office or residential uses. The proposed amendment will promote continued use of the existing facility for primarily general office uses, consistent with this policy. C. Transportation Element The applicant’s narrative addresses (page 15 Metro Plan narrative) Transportation Policy F.15, related to motor vehicle level of service standards. As discussed above in the findings under Statewide Planning Goal 12 – “Transportation,” which are incorporated herein by reference, the proposal demonstrates compliance with adopted LOS standards and with Statewide Planning Goal 12 – “Transportation.” In demonstrating compliance with adopted LOS standards, the proposal also is shown to be consistent with Metro Plan policy F.15. Based on the findings above, the proposal is consistent with the Metro Plan Amendment criteria. Refinement Plan Amendments (RA 09-1) The applicable refinement plan is the 1988 South Willamette Subarea Study (SWS). Although the applicant’s application materials make several references to the Central Area Transportation Study Findings – South Willamette Properties Page 10 of 16