Laserfiche WebLink
 <br /> <br />Implement Nodal Development policies outlined by the Metro Plan) and adopted <br />Growth Management policies. <br /> <br /> <br />Foster the redevelopment of a pedestrian-oriented, livable riverfront district <br />consistent with the principles and objectives of the Downtown Riverfront Specific <br />Area Plan. <br /> <br />Next Steps <br />The consultant team is currently conducting due diligence to resolve conflicts, streamline products, build <br />partnerships, and ensure that the land use package includes all necessary components for successful <br />implementation. The consultant team will complete work on the Downtown Riverfront’s Special Area <br />Zone and Specific Area Plan in September/October 2011. Upon initiation and after filing, the application <br />package will follow the standard Type V review process, which involves Planning Commission and City <br />Council review and approval. <br /> <br />For more information contact Gabe Flock, Senior Land Use Planner at (541) 682-5697, or Jeannine <br />Parisi, EWEB’s Community Outreach and Local Government Relations Coordinator at (541) 685-7451. <br /> <br />Steam Transition Update <br />Faced with rising costs, an eroding customer base and an inefficient distribution system, EWEB is in the <br />process of shutting down its steam utility. After several years of study, in 2008, the EWEB Board of <br />Commissioners adopted a policy to guide the transition of customers off the steam system and closure of <br />the facility. The policy states that the transition will be completed in a manner that is: <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Socially responsive <br /> <br /> <br />Environmentally and financially responsible · To the fullest extent possible, balances the <br />considerations of steam customers, the downtown community, the community at large <br />and EWEB's electric utility interests <br /> <br />Staff have since been working with steam customers to secure engineering consultations and identify <br />funding options to smooth the way to a more efficient heating and cooling system. Out of the 58 <br />buildings that utilized the steam system when the transition plan started, 38 buildings have converted or <br />disconnected from the EWEB steam system. Two customers chose to simply disconnect due to <br />building or business obsolescence rather than invest in new equipment. It is anticipated that by the start <br />of this heating season (November 2011), an additional 12 conversions will be underway, bringing the <br />total number of conversions to about 86%. There are eight remaining customers that EWEB has been in <br />communication with, but have not yet committed to a conversion strategy and schedule for <br />disconnection. They are keenly aware of the June 2012 steam system shut-down deadline. <br /> <br />EWEB has worked closely with the Oregon Department of Energy to provide loans to qualifying <br />customers; however, some projects are not eligible for state support. To help ensure we don’t have <br />‘stranded’ customers, staff estimate that EWEB will provide low cost financing to 18 customers in the <br />amount of $3.2 million. In addition to increased energy efficiency and improved building value, the <br />transition off the steam system will result in significant CO2 reductions. Conservative estimates put <br />carbon emission reductions at 19,600,000 lbs/yr. <br /> <br />9 <br /> <br />