Item 3: Ordinance on Downtown Urban Renewal Amendment

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Attachment E Plan Amendment Process Feedback Summary State law requires a “substantial plan amendment” for council to increase the maximum indebtedness or to increase the district boundary by more than 1%. The substantial amendment process requires a mailed notification to all Eugene property owners; review by the Planning Commission; notification to other impacted taxing districts; and a public hearing. The public record (submitted written comment, copies of the notices, and Planning Commission minutes) is in a binder in the City Manager’s Office. (Submitted written comment was also provided as an attachment to the May 10 work session materials.) Public Comment:A public notice was mailed to Eugene property owners on March 19. On April 19, council held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance and extended the period for citizens’ comments to May 3. Thirty-one individuals spoke at the hearing. Planning Commission:The Planning Commission discussed the amendments on March 29 and adopted a motion recommending “council approval of the amendments based on the Planning Commission’s review of the proposed new boundary and the four new projects contemplated in the Plan with respect to their consistency with the City’s land use policies. The motion does not include consideration of the financial aspects of the plan.” (Passed 5:1 Warness opposed). ERAC:The Eugene Redevelopment Advisory Committee (ERAC) reviewed the proposed amendments on April 8 and voted in support of the proposed plan amendments. ERAC also indicated that, given the proposed conclusion of the Downtown District, council should begin a process to identify alternative program(s) and tools to support long-term, desirable downtown improvements such as new housing. Taxing Districts:The overlapping taxing districts (School District 4J, Lane Education Service District, Lane Community College, and Lane County) were notified in writing on March 12 of the proposed plan amendments and provided a copy of the plan and report. The School District 4J Board of Directors discussed the Downtown District on April 21 and May 5. On May 19, the School Board adopted a motion, for purposes of the 2009 legislation that limits increases in maximum indebtedness, concurring with the increase in maximum indebtedness. No comments were received from Lane ESD. The LCC Board of Directors discussed the proposed plan amendment and the Downtown District on March 17. Dennis Carr, Chief Human Resources Officer, spoke on behalf of LCC in support of the proposed ordinance at the council’s public hearing on April 19. The Board of County Commissioners for Lane County (BCC) reviewed an urban renewal presentation from the County Assessor on April 7 and discussed their response to the City on April 13, 27, and 28. The Agenda Item Summary for May 10 work session includes the two letters that the BCC submitted, dated April 9 and April 28. (Approval of the April 28 letter passed 4:1 with Commissioner Stewart voting in opposition.)