HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem A: I-5 Willamette Bridge Replacement Project
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Public Hearing: An Ordinance Amending the Eugene-Springfield Metro Plan Text;
Amending the Willakenzie Area Plan Text; Adopting an Exception to Statewide Planning
Goal 15 Willamette River Greenway; Adopting Severability and Savings Clauses; and
Providing an Effective Date (, Eugene files MA 07-3, RA
I-5 Willamette Bridge Project
08-1; Springfield file LRP2007-00010; Lane County file PA08-5230)
Meeting Date: June 24, 2008 Agenda Item Number: A
Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Heather O’Donnell
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541/682-5488
ISSUE STATEMENT
This joint public hearing with the Eugene and Springfield City Councils and the Lane County Board of
Commissioners is on a private proposal to amend the Metro Plan, including an exception to Statewide
Planning Goal 15, and amend the Willakenzie Area Plan (WAP) (Eugene decision only). The
amendments would allow replacement of the I-5 Willamette River and canoe canal bridges and
associated construction to occur within the Willamette Greenway, subsequent to future land use
application approval.
BACKGROUND
The I-5 Willamette Bridge Replacement Project is proposed within the Oregon Department of
Transportation right-of-way, as well as on property owned by the City of Eugene, Willamalane Park and
Recreation District, and Lane County. The project area includes the I-5 Willamette River Bridge and
encompasses an area to the north between the Willamette River and Centennial Boulevard, also
extending south of the Willamette River between Franklin Boulevard and the Glenwood Interchange
(Exit 187). The project area is within the Eugene-Springfield UGB, and is more specifically shown on
the Project Area map (Attachment G).
The applicant requests approval of the following for the I-5 Willamette Bridge Replacement Project: to
amend the text of Policy D.11 of the Metro Plan to allow for the placement of fill in the Willamette
River Greenway and to allow for a goal exception to Statewide Planning Goal 15 (Willamette River
Greenway) to authorize a nonwater-dependent, nonwater-related use within the Willamette River
Greenway setback; and to amend the text of the WAP to allow for the placement of fill within 35 feet
from the top of the bank of the Willamette River (Eugene decision only). This request does not include a
specific development proposal. On the federal level, ODOT is required to process the necessary
applications in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). On the local level,
separate land use applications will be required for the actual bridge design, including a Willamette
Greenway Permit and Standards Review (regarding Goal 5 setback) for Eugene and a 75-foot riparian
setback review for Springfield (see last pages of Attachment E for project timeline and process).
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The Eugene, Springfield and Lane County Planning Commissions held a joint public hearing on April
29, 2008, to consider the requested Metro Plan amendment and refinement plan amendment. Aside from
the applicant’s party, there were two other people who spoke; one spoke as neutral to the proposal and
one spoke against it. Written testimony was received (Attachment E) from the applicant. Per the request
of those testifying, the Planning Commissions also left the public record open. Evidence submitted
during the open record period is also attached for reference (Attachment E). On June 3, 2008, the
Planning Commissions met for joint deliberations on the Metro Plan amendment request. All three
Planning Commissions voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Metro Plan amendment,
including the exception to Statewide Planning Goal 15. On the same night, the Eugene Planning
Commission deliberated on the refinement plan amendment request and unanimously voted to
recommend approval. The Planning Commission’s findings and recommendations are attached to this
AIS as Exhibit A of Attachment A for the Metro Plan amendment, and Exhibits A and B of Attachment
B for the refinement plan amendment.
The proposed Metro Plan and refinement plan amendments are being reviewed concurrently. Regarding
process, the Metro Plan and refinement plan amendments requests must follow the quasi-judicial
procedures. New evidence will be allowed at the public hearing. Since the close of the joint Planning
Commission record, only one item of testimony has been received. This item was submitted to staff at
the Planning Commission deliberations but was not considered by the Planning Commissions
(Attachment C).
Approval of a plan amendment requires the City to adopt an ordinance. Approval of a three-
jurisdictional Metro Plan amendment requires the jurisdictions to adopt identical decisions. To comply
with the Charter requirements for ordinances, a draft ordinance approving the requested Metro Plan
amendments has been prepared and is attached for your reference (Attachment A). Because the
refinement plan amendment is a Eugene decision only, a separate draft ordinance approving the
requested refinement plan amendments has also been prepared and is attached for reference (Attachment
B). The Planning Commission’s findings of approval, which provide a detailed analysis of the
proposal’s compliance with applicable approval criteria, are attached to each draft ordinance as Exhibit
A (Metro Plan findings) and Exhibit B (refinement plan findings). These are identified as general
findings so that the council can amend or adopt as it determines necessary. This ordinance, with any
directed changes, will be utilized in the event that the City Council makes positive findings that the
proposed amendments comply with the applicable approval criteria.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
Eugene Code requires that a Metro Plan amendment and refinement plan amendment be consistent with
the Metro Plan, the applicable refinement plans, as well as the Statewide Planning Goals. The Metro
Plan, Willakenzie Area Plan, Laurel Hill Plan, River Front Park Study, and TransPlan policies
applicable to this request are addressed in the Planning Commission’s findings and recommendation
(Exhibit A of Attachment A and Exhibits A and B of Attachment B).
COUNCIL OPTIONS
This is scheduled for a public hearing only. At the time of deliberations and action, the City Council
may consider the following options:
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1. Adopt the proposed ordinance
2. Adopt the proposed ordinance with specific modifications as determined by the City Council
3. Deny the proposed ordinance
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
This is scheduled for a public hearing only. Following the City’s receipt of all evidence, prior to council
deliberations, the City Manager will make a recommendation to be included in the council packet for
action on this item. Separate Eugene City Council deliberation and action on this item is currently
scheduled for July 28, 2008.
SUGGESTED MOTION
No motion is suggested as deliberation and action is currently scheduled for July 28, 2008.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Draft Metro Plan Amendment Ordinance with Exhibits A:
Exhibit A: Metro Plan Findings, dated June 2008
B. Draft Refinement Plan Amendment Ordinance with Exhibits A and B:
Exhibit A: Metro Plan Findings, dated June 2008
Exhibit B: Refinement Plan Amendment Findings, dated June 2008
C. Vicinity Maps
D. “Peak Traffic” article received prior to June 3, 2008 meeting
E. Eugene Planning Commission Agenda, Agenda Item Summary, and Draft Eugene Planning
Commission Meeting Minutes for June 3, 2008 deliberations
1. Public testimony received after the April 29, 2008 public hearing through close of record for new
evidence on May 13, 2008
2. Exhibits submitted at April 29, 2008 joint Public Hearing:
Exhibit 1: Applicant’s agenda and graphics
Exhibit 2: Applicant’s memorandum regarding noise dated April 28, 2008
3. Draft Eugene Planning Commission Meeting Minutes for June 3, 2008 deliberations
F. Draft Eugene Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, dated April 29, 2008
G. Eugene Planning Commission Agenda and Agenda Item Summary for April 29, 2008 deliberations,
with attachments:
1. Metro Plan Amendment Preliminary Staff Findings
2. Refinement Plan Amendment Preliminary Staff Findings
3. Vicinity Maps (including Project Area boundary map)
4. Letters of Public Testimony received through April 17, 2008
H. Applicant’s supplemental materials including:
Supplemental findings dated March 28, 2008
Errata Sheet received February 26, 2008
Map showing property ownership received March 20, 2008
I. Applicant’s Metro Plan and Refinement Plan Amendment application materials including:
Written statements with reduced maps received February 1 and 25, 2008
Application forms received February 1, 2008
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Heather O’Donnell
Telephone: 541/682-5488
Staff E-Mail: heather.m.odonnell@ci.eugene.or.us
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