Item B: Neighborhood Livability Working Group Report

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Neighborhood Livability Working Group Evaluate continued need for MUPTE in the campus area neighborhoods Problem Description A contributing factor to the negative behaviors and impacts experienced in the campus area neighborhoods is the sheer number of young adults living in proximity to one another. These neighborhoods also serve as a draw for other youth from the rest of our community and from neighboring communities who are looking to party. For years, development in this area has responded to demand and favored multi-family apartment living designed to serve this demographic. In 2003, the West University Task Force recommended that the Multiple Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) program be expanded to include the West University area in hopes that it would improve the quality of the housing stock and attract both long-term residents and a healthy mix of neighbors. The boundary was revised in 2004 to extend east of High to Kincaid and south from 17 Avenue. Since that time seven projects with a total of th 133 units (409 bedrooms) have been completed within the expanded area. Two additional projects totaling 75 units (133 bedrooms) have been approved but not yet completed. Demographic trends in this area indicate that MUPTE did little to encourage longer-term residency or different age cohorts to move into the neighborhood. Strategy Description Review the role MUPTE may have had in the campus area with consideration of the role the program has had in contributing to various impacts to neighborhood livability. Related Goals/Policies 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.25: quality of older residential neighborhoods through measures such as revitalization, code enforcement, appropriate zoning, rehabilitation programs, relocation of existing structures, traffic calming, parking requirements, or public safety considerations. West University Refinement Plan Land Use, Housing and Commerce Policy #10: The City and the neighborhood groups will encourage and promote owner occupancy in the plan area. Policy #11: The City and the neighborhood shall study ways to encourage a variety or mix of structure types providing both owner and rental opportunities and appealing to a diverse population. West University Task Force recommendations (June 2003): Promote Longer-Term Residency - provide economic incentives for improving the quality of housing stock to attract long-term residents, create a different mixture of neighbors, and a greater sense of stability and investment in the neighborhood. Envision Eugene Pillar: Protect, Repair and Enhance Neighborhood Livability [Note: An evaluation of MUPET is underway in the context of Envision Eugene. Council has expressed interest in reviewing the MUPTE boundaries. Additional Council work sessions are planned in the fall to discuss priority areas for the program and future action.] Costs and Resources Reevaluating the MUPTE boundary is underway so this strategy is not anticipated to add costs to the City. Issues to Consider Some resistance may come from those wanting to continue dense development in the West University area or those believing the tax exemption is necessary for higher quality projects. 37 Page