Item 2: Ordinance on Street Assessments

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 A uniform assessment methodology is established for residential properties based upon a residential assessment unit (RAU) with single family, duplex and tri-plex dwellings being assigned one RAU and multi-family dwellings be assigned 0.25 RAU per dwelling unit.  The method of apportionment of assessable costs among non-residential properties will be based upon lot frontage, lot area or a combination of lot frontage and area.  Properties on cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets that are dependent upon the street being improved for access to the street system will be included in the local improvement district and be assessed for the street improvement.  Street assessments may be deferred until the sale or transfer of property. The deferral would be limited to owner-occupied single-family and duplex homes and contingent on the availability of funds. Eligible property owners may defer their assessment or receive a low-income subsidy, but cannot receive both forms of assistance. Related Policy Implications The following paragraphs outline the policy implications of proposed changes that were identified in the council work session or that became apparent with the development of the draft ordinance.  Currently, the Eugene Code makes a distinction between vacant, partially developed and developed properties and between properties less than a half-acre and equal to or greater than a half-acre in size when determining assessable frontage and timing of assessment. The “partially developed” distinction will no longer apply – the residential assessment unit (RAU) applies to residentially zoned lots developed with single-family or duplex dwellings irrespective of lot size. The half-acre size applies only to vacant lots and affects only the timing of payment of the assessment.  For vacant lots in a residential zone, the number of assessment units is determined by the minimum number of dwelling units required per acre (minimum density required) in the zone; currently, there is no minimum density per acre required in a low-density residential zone, so vacant lots of any size in this zone would be assessed only the minimum of one RAU.  Currently, assessable paving width adjustments on arterial/collector streets apply only to lots in a low-density residential zone. In order to implement a uniform residential assessment unit, these assessable paving-width criteria would be applied to all residential lots.  Over time, some properties on cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets may be assessed for the improvement of more than one street.  The method of assessment for sidewalks is separate from the method for streets and will continue to be based upon front-footage and assessed to the abutting property. Issues and Options to Consider  The method of apportionment of assessable costs among non-residential properties may be based upon lot frontage, lot area or a combination of lot frontage and area. A memo to the Mayor and City Council dated November 8, 2010, outlined the affect of the different apportionment methods on non-residential lots of varying areas and frontages. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M101115\S1011152.doc