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

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Attachment A Lighting and Signage th Testimony raised indicated that the signage and lighting requirements for the 15 Avenue Transition Edge within Walnut Station Specific Area Zone is not compatible with the residentially th zoned property on the south side of 15 Avenue. The proposal for the Walnut Station Specific Area Zone does actually reduce the amount of signage and lighting currently allowed, as another means to address compatibility with and transition to the Fairmount Neighborhood. However, the proposal does not eliminate the allowance for non-residential signage and lighting because it is meant to be th an area that allows for mixed use development. The current zoning on the north side of 15 Avenue allows for sign and lighting standards consistent with the General Commercial sign district. University Use The Eugene Code allows “University or College” as a permitted use category in commercial zones. Because the Walnut Station Zone allows any commercial or residential use permitted in the code, it is permitted in the new form based code. The Planning Commission supported staff’s recommendation to study the category of University use further. In order to provide timing clarity and coordination with the neighborhood and the University, the policy has been revised as follows: By April 30, 2011, the City shall initiate a process to evaluate the land use category of “University or College” to better define which uses are permitted outright. In preparing the report, city staff shall consult with representatives of the Fairmount Neighbors Association and the University of Oregon. Noise and Odor In the current code, there are Site Review and Conditional Use Permit criteria that require development proposals to be reasonably compatible with existing development with regards to, among other issues, noise and odors. Staff incorrectly indicated in the response to the Planning Commission that Site Review did not have a criterion relative to noise and odor. Though Site Review and some Conditional Use Permit requirements have been eliminated from the review process in the Walnut Station Special Area Zone, staff does not believe that there will be undue noise and odor impacts on the neighborhood. Chapter 4 (EC 9.4080) of the Eugene Code regulates noise, which is administered by the Eugene Police Department, and this code section will remain in effect in Walnut Station. Regarding odor, staff notes that the current code provisions which preclude any use that requires external emissions permit from an air quality public agency also remain in effect for Walnut Station. More information on the project can be found at www.eugene-or.gov/walnut. Please contact me at (541) 682-5485 or via e-mail (lydia.s.mckinney@ci.eugene.or.us) if you have questions or need additional information.