Item B: Neighborhood Livability Working Group Report

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The group has identified 14 potential strategies to improve livability. (See Attachment A, Section VI.) The list includes a variety of approaches that rely on a mix of education, incentives, regulation, enforcement and local initiatives to encourage good neighbor behavior, prevent and reduce criminal activity and encourage home ownership. The following 10 strategies would require some level of City support:  Crime Prevention through Environmental Design  Countermeasures for Traffic Sign Vandalism  Establish a Home Ownership and Investment Program  Enhance Police Resources  Evaluate Continued Need for Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption in Campus Area  Increase Fines for Noise- and Alcohol-Related Violations  Neighborhood-Based Planning  Regulate Party Bus Impacts  Social Host Ordinance  University of Oregon Police Department – Expand jurisdiction in near-campus neighborhoods The package of strategies under consideration is not a set of final recommendations reflecting consensus of the entire working group. While all stakeholder groups have actively participated and approached the work in a spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility, there remain differing opinions on the appropriateness and potential effectiveness of several of the strategies on the list. Moreover, two strategies (Rental Licensing Program and Requiring On-site Management of Rental Properties) have generated strong concerns from property owners/managers. These are not included in the packet, and staff can provide additional information upon council request. The working group will continue meeting to collect information, and to thoroughly discuss strategies – including those that are more contentious. RELATED CITY POLICIES Recommendations align with adopted plans, strategies and tactics, including those emerging from the West University Task Force, Infill Compatibility Task Team and Envision Eugene. The council is set to review the Rental Housing Program later this fall. Specific links include:  Growth Management Policy 6: Increase density of new housing development while maintaining the character and livability of individual neighborhoods.  Growth Management Policy 9: Mitigate the impacts of new and/or higher density housing, infill, and redevelopment on neighborhoods through design standards, open space and housing maintenance programs, and continuing historic preservation and neighborhood planning programs.  Metro Plan Policy A.13: Increase overall residential density in the metropolitan area by creating more opportunities for effectively designed infill, redevelopment, and mixed-use while considering impacts of increased residential density on historic, existing and future neighborhoods.  Metro Plan Policy A.23: Reduce impacts of higher density residential and mixed-use development on surrounding uses by considering site, landscape, and architectural design standards or guidelines in local zoning and development regulations. S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110914\S110914B.doc