Item B: South Willamette Concept Plan Update

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The Concept Plan itself is not a regulatory document, but aims to summarize the community’s intent and inform the many actions required to realize the vision. In keeping with the action- oriented principles of Envision Eugene, the South Willamette Concept Plan includes a clear strategy for implementation (see page 54). Actions fall into three main categories: Regulatory changes such as code and plan amendments  Community investments supporting redevelopment  Public improvements  In addition to many community partners, the Eugene Planning Commission has also played an active role in developing the plan, including periodic discussions, participation in public events, and co-hosting a recent open house. On April 15, the Planning Commission unanimously accepted the concept plan with a list of final recommendations (Attachment C). Next Steps In preparation for local adoption of Envision Eugene, staff will begin work with the Planning Commission to prepare draft code amendments for Council discussion. Code amendments will likely include a Special Area Plan and a hybrid form-based code for the district based closely on the South Willamette Concept Plan as well as additional public participation. Additional coordination with the grant-funded South Willamette Street Improvement Plan will continue through the summer as a vision for the long-term street-side character as Willamette Street develops. Council will have future opportunities to hear the result of this work as well as discuss and provide direction on options. Finally, the Concept Plan sets forth recommendations for community investments in the South Willamette district. Staff will continue working with Council on community investments at a broader scale, for example through the in-progress MUPTE program discussions. RELATED CITY POLICIES The South Willamette Concept Plan implements all of the Envision Eugene pillars, with emphasis on the following pillars and strategies (for a complete list, see Appendix A of the South Willamette Concept Plan, p. 64): Envision Eugene Pillars Provide Housing Affordable to All Income Levels  Plan for a higher proportion of new housing stock to be multi-family…intended to expand the variety of housing types and prices available.  …programs and actions will be put in place to increase the number of multi-family homes that are constructed in the downtown, along key transit corridors, and in core commercial areas.  Expand housing variety and choice by facilitating the building of smaller, clustered and attached housing S:\CMO\2013 Council Agendas\M130619\S130619B.docx