Item 1: Ordinance on EWEB Downtown Riverfront Property

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EWEB DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT LAND USE COMPONENTS As noted above and illustrated on Sheets S1 and S2 Existing Conditions Plan, the existing natural vegetative fringe along the Willamette River is limited to the area between the waters edge and the easternmost edge of the existing Riverbank Trail, with the exception of small patches of landscaping (islands, planter strips, and foundation plantings) associated with parking areas and access drives within the site. The vast majority of the area within the Greenway boundary is developed and has been used for industrial/utility uses since the acquisition of the riverfront property in 1908. In addition, large volumes of fill material have been imported and placed on the subject site, and the entire length of riverbank is armored with riprap. The average slope of the riverbank, between the Riverbank Trail and water’s edge, ranges between 34 and 44 percent. These factors have reduced riverbank complexity, which, has contributed to a loss of riparian habitat (Exhibit E Riverfront Ecological Analysis and Design Report). Within the Greenway boundary 92 percent of the site is covered by buildings/structures (approximately 5.92 acres), impermeable surfaces (approximately 9.03 acres), or other (gravel) surfaces (3.09 acres). Existing structures proposed to remain include the EWEB Headquarters, Steam Plant, and Willamette Substation. As illustrated on Sheet R1 Regulatory Plan, the proposed Greenway setback varies in width from 25 feet to 125 feet adjacent the Willamette River, as delineated from the top-of-bank. The setback’s variable width responds to existing site conditions and anticipated redevelopment consistent with the Master Plan vision. Existing structures, including the EWEB Headquarters, Steam Plant, and Willamette Substation are excluded from the setback area. The EWEB Headquarters and Steam Plant are envisioned for adaptive reuse and are therefore excluded to enable future redevelopment. At the northern boundary of the subject site, the setback encompasses all property currently in use as open space. The setback aligns with the eastern perimeter of the EWEB Headquarters North Building and EWEB Headquarters South Building and increases to approximately 110 feet to encompass the waterfront plaza and public access point between buildings. In the middle portion of the subject site, the setback aligns with the eastern edge of the proposed relocated Riverfront Trail, is approximately 90 feet in width, and includes all areas designated for park use between the trail and the river. Further south, the setback aligns with the eastern perimeters of the Steam Plant and Willamette Substation and includes all areas between those properties and the river. In the southern portion of the subject site, the setback increases to approximately 120 feet to encompass additional areas designated for park or cultural landscape and open space uses. In total the proposed Willamette Greenway Setback will protect 3.19 acres of the subject site. Adoption of the setback ensures that no new buildings will be constructed between the setback and the river, that adequate public access is provided along the river frontage, that limited existing habitat is preserved, and that the remaining natural vegetative fringe is protected. Section C.3.K of Goal 15 provides guidance on uses allowed within the Willamette Greenway Setback in accordance with the above objectives. “A setback line will be established to keep structures separated from the river in order to protect, maintain, preserve and enhance the natural, scenic, historic, and recreational qualities of the Willamette River Greenway, as identified in Greenway Inventories. The setback line shall not apply to water-related or water-dependent uses.” Water-related uses are defined as: “Uses which are not directly dependent upon access to a water body, but which provide goods or services that are directly associated with water-dependent land or waterway use, and which, if not located adjacent to water, would result in a public loss of quality in the goods or services offered. Except as necessary for water-dependent or water-related uses Cameron McCarthy FINAL SUBMITTAL | December 5, 2012 {00091176;1 }