Item B: South Willamette Concept Plan Update

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South Willamette Concept Plan 7. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Community Investment Prograr (continued) These actions represent an investment in the community with long -term benefits that are necessary (i.e. the development would not occur "but for" the investment) and /or a reasonable exchange for certain benefits such as denser housing and jobs in key locations (e.g. along key transit corridors and in key commercial areas), green building, housing affordability, neighborhood compatibility, and design excellence. The community has also identified a need for more, diverse single - family housing types including smaller homes, secondary dwelling units (SDUs), courtyard and cluster homes, and row houses. This is aimed at meeting the needs of a changing community as well as meeting future demand for housing as efficiently as possible (i.e. reducing the need for UGB expansion for single - family homes), as well as, attractive housing for elders, singles and couples. Since the market is not expected to provide these housing types, investments are needed to actively encourage them. Regarding both multi - family and single - family housing, design matters to the community. This is especially true for larger, higher density buildings as well as infill in existing neighborhoods. The Envision Eugene proposal takes an approach of aiming for "what we want" versus "what we don't want" from future development. Investments are an important tool to actively support "what we do want" by creating opportunities to influence design, rewarding design excellence, and offsetting some of the costs of higher - quality design. Program Outline The goals outlined above will be accomplished in part through an emerging Envision Eugene Community Investment Program. The South Willamette area can serve as a pilot for the program to help implement the South Willamette Concept Plan. Although the program is still under development, the Willamette pilot may include the following components: Compact Urban Development District: Help close the market gap for redevelopment of higher- density commercial, multifamily and mixed use buildings with clearly - defined public benefits through targeted investments. Specific tools may include: public /private partnerships; time - limited property tax exemptions (multiple unit property tax exemptions, or similar); system development charge adjustments or tax - funded exemptions; permit fee adjustments or tax - funded exemptions; expedited permit review; design assistance and facilitation; public financing; and /or others. Single Family Options Program: Stimulate redevelopment and new development of locally under - represented, higher- density single family housing types such as cluster homes, courtyard homes, and row houses through targeted investments in suitable areas identified through area planning. The area of effect should include areas specifically designated for "single family options," including sub -areas allowing row houses. Specific tools may include systems development charges adjustments, deferrals or tax - funded exemptions; permit fee adjustments or tax - funded exemptions; design assistance and facilitation; and /or others. The intent of the pilot program is to stimulate redevelopment supporting commercial jobs and multi - family housing in target areas, to improve the quality, function and character of future development with an emphasis on compatibility with existing neighborhoods. Each program should consider clear criteria for approval of investment benefits and means of assessing performance during and after development. For example, criteria could include a set of form and design standards drawn from the South Willamette Concept Plan, including transitions, streetside character, and others. 56 ■ City of Eugene