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1. BUILDABLE LANDS INVENTORY <br /> <br /> THE PROBLEM <br /> In the context of economic development, land is a fundamental input for new <br /> and growing firms. Land provides the physical foundation upon which buildings <br /> are constructed and the production process occurs. To be effective, communities <br /> must have an available supply of development-ready land--appropriately zoned <br /> and with existing utilities and services--and existing buildings to accommodate <br /> the needs of business. <br /> <br /> In the context of Oregon's land use laws, expanding developable land supply <br /> is possible, but it is not easy. Local jurisdictions must balance demand for <br /> developable land with demand for open space and environmental quality. State <br /> laws prescribe processes to determine if a City can expand its supply of <br /> developable land. A key step in that process is a strong argument that the City <br /> lacks a 20-year supply of buildable land. A City cannot make that argument <br /> without a thorough understanding of its supply and demand for land. <br /> <br /> The Committee found a diversity of opinion regarding the need for land. <br /> Many Committee members argued that there is an inadequate supply of <br /> commercial and industrial land, and the supply of buildable land is dwindling. <br /> The Committee did agree that no change to the land supply can be made without a <br /> better understanding of the facts. The Committee agreed that there is a lack of <br /> agreement about the true supply of commercial and industrial land in the City of <br /> Eugene. <br /> <br /> SOLUTIONS <br /> The primary response to land supply issues is to maintain a supply of <br /> commercial and industrial land that meets Oregon land use planning laws and <br /> goals and supports community economic development goals. <br /> <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> The City Council should support and contribute to a regional buildable lands <br /> analysis of available commercial and industrial land that is consistent with state <br /> requirements and that earns broad public support. The inventory should include <br /> vacant and underutilized land, and identify the potential for assembling small <br /> parcels to create larger parcels. <br /> <br /> 2. LAND USE CODE <br /> <br /> THE PROBLEM <br /> Local governments and their policies affect the costs of doing business by <br /> providing infrastructure and services, and through regulations, taxes, and <br /> incentives. The City of Eugene's land use code is the City's primary regulatory <br /> tool that affects businesses. Regulations exist to maintain the health, welfare, and <br /> safety of a community. They are designed to make buildings safer, the air cleaner, <br /> <br />Page 8 Recommendations July 2004 Mayor's Committee on Economic Development <br /> <br /> <br />