Item 1: Ordinance on Downtown and Mixed Use Development

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The Planning Commission held a public hearing on May14, 2013, to consider the proposed amendments. A total of three people testified at the public hearing. All three expressed support for the amendments. Of the three, one person testified specifically in favor of not requiring commercial use on the ground floor in the C-2 Community Commercial zone, and mentioned the benefit to affordable housing projects. The two others specifically recommended that the boundary of the traffic impact analysis exemption be increased beyond the boundary originally proposed. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission met over the course of several meetings in June 2013 to deliberate and provide a recommendation to the City Council. During deliberations, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of all of the amendments with the exception of one. Related to the proposal to allow housing on the ground floor of buildings in the C-2 commercial zone, the Planning Commission vote was split (3 to 3). Following deliberations, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward their recommendations to the City Council. Regarding the Planning Commission’s split vote, it was on the proposal that would allow the ground floor of a building in the C-2 Community Commercial zone to be entirely housing, whereas currently a certain percentage of the ground floor must be in commercial use. Providing housing on the ground floor in the commercial zones is already allowed within downtown. Those voting in favor of the proposal expressed support for horizontal mixed use and increased housing opportunities in downtown, on key transit corridors, and in core commercial areas. They also cited the fact that the multi-family development standards would apply to these projects, thereby providing more protection than currently required for buildings with ground floor in commercial use with housing above. Those voting in opposition of the proposal expressed concern about the potential for increasing density in the C-2 zone without providing accompanying measures to address the transitions between higher density residential uses and adjacent lower density residential uses. Following the public hearing and the City’s receipt of all testimony, a recommendation will be included in the council packet for action on July 22, 2013. Further details regarding the Planning Commission’s discussion, along with a complete set of record materials, are available for review in a binder located at the City Council Office, and via http://www.eugene-or.gov/index.aspx?NID=2090. Findings in support of the proposal are included as Exhibit A to the ordinance (Attachment B). RELATED CITY POLICIES Findings addressing consistency with related City policies, including provisions of the Metro Plan and applicable refinement plans, are included as an exhibit to the proposed ordinance (Exhibit A of Attachment B). COUNCIL OPTIONS No action is required at this time; however, options will be provided at the time of City Council deliberations and action scheduled for July 22, 2013. S:\CMO\2013 Council Agendas\M130715\S1307151.doc