Item 3: Ordinance on Walnut Station Mixed-Use Center (2)

Home Browse Search

2139 Centennial Plaza Eugene, OR 97401 (541) 484-3043 June 21, 2010 TO: Mayor Piercy and City Council Members FROM: Eugene Association of REALTORS® SUBJECT: Walnut Station Mixed Use Development Draft Code The Eugene Association of REALTORS® appreciate all the work that has been done on this project; the new innovative ideas entertained, and the involvement of the stakeholders group. This project reflects the type of location planning that has been planned and implemented successfully in other cities in the U.S. The National Association of REALTORS® Smart Growth strategies have showcased form based code development, green development, compact development, walkable neighborhoods, mixed uses, and multiple transportation options. These community options have become outcomes, not just smart growth platitudes. Furthermore, here in Eugene, the Walnut Station Mixed Use Development Draft Code represents a new way to increase densities, reduce building heights, streamline the permitting process, and provide neighbors, builders and building owners both flexibility and certainty, two things lacking in our current code, and two obstacles to starting and completing construction projects. Although not perfect the plan includes some risks such as a multi-way boulevard concept for Franklin and property setbacks that reduce property owners usable space which in some instances is needed parking spaces. We request that you remove the change in this plan for appeals of Planning Director to go before the Planning Commission instead of the Hearings Official. The current system works well and is not broken, and in our view is as unbiased as conceivably possible. With all this said, by now you probably suspect that the Eugene Association of REALTORS ® support this draft code and ask for your yes vote of approval. Contact: Jim Welsh, Political Advocate 2139 Centennial Plaza Eugene, OR 97437 (541) 554-8043 jdwelshco@msn.com