Item 3 - PH on Downtown UR Plan - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Public Hearing: An Ordinance Adopting an Amended Urban Renewal Plan for the Central Eugene Project Meeting Date: August 9, 2004 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Richie Weinman www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-5533 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY This is a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Central Eugene Project (Downtown) Urban Renewal Plan. BACKGROUND The Urban Renewal Agency (URA) is asked to consider amendments to the Central Eugene Project (Downtown) Urban Renewal Plan. The new Eugene Redevelopment Advisory Committee (ERAC) carefully studied the Downtown UR Plan and following four meetings, recommended amendments. The Planning Commission, on June 14, 2004, voted to forward these amendments to the City Council and URA. The URA conducted a work session on July 12, 2004. The discussion at the work session resulted in several changes to the draft plan. In January 2003, the council began a multi-step process to implement the Vision for a Greater Downtown Eugene. This and the recently updated Downtown Plan include recommendations to enact implementation tools, including using urban renewal as a financing tool. Since January 2003, the new Downtown Plan has been adopted, two property tax exemption programs have been put into place, and the Riverfront Urban Renewal Plan was updated. In March 2004, the URA voted to forward the proposed amendments to the Downtown UR Plan to other taxing districts, the Planning Commission, and the public for comment. These amendments included: 1) removing the restriction on the use of tax increment funds solely for library projects; 2) extending the district timeline to 2029; and 3) changing the maximum indebtedness. The Eugene Redevelopment Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission recommend the first two elements but do not recommend changing the maximum indebtedness at this time. Other amendments reflect the council's previous direction on projects, method of amending the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan in the future, and changing language in the plan to conform to current state statutes. As required by State statute, the impacted taxing jurisdictions have been notified and sent a copy of the proposed amendments to the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan. In addition to this public hearing, these amendments have been the subject of significant opportunity for public comment. At each of the public information sessions related to the update of the Downtown Plan, use of urban renewal funding was highlighted as a tool. One event, "Lookin' Forward at Downtown," drew over 125 people during the L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M040809\S0408093.doc