HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 19777ORDINANCE NO. ~' 7
AN ORDINANCE ING THE EUGENE-SPRINGFIELD
METROPOLITAN AREA GENERAL PLAN TO
REDESIGNATE PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS MAP 17-02-
31, TAX LOTS 300 AND 700, FRaIVI LIGHT-MEDIUM AND
HEAVY INDUSTRIAL LAND USE Ta A COMBINATION aF
MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, LIGHT-MEDIUM
INDUSTRIAL AND CONIIVIERCIAL LAND USES, AND
ADAPTING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
The City Cauncii of the City of Eugene finds that:
A. The City Council of the City of Eugene has received a proposal from the
City of Springfield Springfield Journal No. 94-1~•2U1} for the amendment of the Eugene
Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan Metro Plan} to change the land use
designations of a 53 acre site.
B. This proposal comes to the City of Eugene for action pursuant to procedures
described in the Metro Plan and Chapter 9 of the Eugene Cade, 1971 for amendment and
refinement of the Metro Plan.
C. The Lane County, Springfield and Eugene Planning Commissions reviewed
the proposal in public hearings on March 12 and April 3, 1991, and made their
recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners of Lane County, Springfield City
Council and Eugene City Council on April 16, 1991.
D. Evidence exists within the record indicating the proposal meets the
requirements of Chapter 9 of the Eugene Code, 1971, and the requirements of applicable
state and local law.
E. The City Councils of Eugene and Springfield and the Board of County
Commissioners of Lane Counfiy conducted a public hearing on May 6, 1991, and the City
Council of the City of Eugene is now ready to take action.
NO'S; THEREFORE,
THE CITY OF EUGENE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The above findings, and the findings set forth in Exhibit B, attached
hereto and incorporated herein by reference are adopted.
Ordinance - 1
Section Z. The Metro Plan Diagram land use designation of the property identified
as Map 17-02-31, Tax Lots 300 and 700 is amended from "Heavy Industrial" and "Ifight-
Medium Industrial" to a combination of "Medium Density Residential," "Light-Medium
Industrial" and "Commercial," as depicted on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference.
Section 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this
Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision,
and such holding shall not effect the validity of the remaining portions hereof.
Passed by the City Council this
,~~'day of May, 1991
Approved by the Mayor this
,2~~day of May, 1991
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IAA I N STREET
ATTACHMENT B ,.
Applicant's Proposed
Findings in Support of ordinance
Amending the Metro Plan ~Burkland f Spring~ood Site}
I. METRO PLAN AMENDMENTS MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH APPLICABLE
STATE GOALS
Goal l -Citizen Involvement. This goal requires that programs be implemented that will
provide an opportunity for citizens to be involved in all phases of the planning process.
Springfield and the other two Metro Area planning jurisdictions have an acknowledged
citizen involvement program and acknowledged procedures for securing citizen input on all
proposed plan and zone changes. Thase procedures have been followed with this
amendment. This plan amendment was referred to affected public agencies and groups,
and notice of its contents was provided to affected residents and property owners through
written and published notice as reflected in the record. Prior to final adoption, public
hearings will have been held by the planning commissions and elected governing bodies of
all three jurisdictions.
Goal ~ • Land Use Planning, This goal requires establishment of a land use planning )~
process and policy framework as a basis for land use decisions. Satisfaction of this goal
requires adoption of a comprehensive plan and its acknowledgment by the Gregon Land
Conservation and I~eveloprnent Commission. This Metro Plan amendment is being
processed as acitizen-initiated amendment as provided for in Chapter IV 4f the
acknowledged Metropolitan Area General Plan and as implemented through the
acknowledged land use codes of the three jurisdictions.
Goals 3 & 4 • Agricultural and Forest Lands. These goals protect farm and forest land.
The site is entirely within the older urbanized area of Springfield. It is acknowledged urban
land. No part of the subject site or any abutting or nearby site is planned, zoned, held, or
suitable for agricultural or forest use.
Goal 5 -Open Spaces, Scenic and Historic Areas, and Natural Resources. This goal
requires the conservation and protection of inventoried and significant open space, scenic
and historic areas, and natural resources unless conflicting uses have been identifiied and
justified through an analysis of the economic, social, environmental and energy
consequences tESEE analysis}.
No part of the site is within a floodplain or floodway.
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March Zo,1991 Draft
Page 1
f
No threatened or endangered species have been found on the site.
Drainage ditches and wetland areas on the site were identified as riparian resource
in the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Goal 5 Wildlife Habitat Inventory Lev
1990}. Two sections of the Q Street ditch extending into the property were
described, and values are identifiied in the inventory as a wildlife travel corridor. Site
descriptions and maps from the inventory are attached.
A 1994 study of the site was prepared for the City of Springfield by the Mitchell
Nelson Group and David J. Newton Associates, entitled Analysis of Development
Capability and Infrastructure Improvement Needs for Selec#ed Springfield Industrial
Sites. It was prepared under a federal n Economic Development Administration
grant and is referred to in these findings as the EDA Study. The EDA study
confirms and refines wetland, riparian, and wildlife values on the site as set forth in
the attached excerpts from the study. .
Goal 5 was applied at the time of acknowledgment and the determina~ion was made to
allow urban development of the site but to limit such development by application of
protective plan policies at the time of review of speciftc development applications where
Goal 5 resources had been identified. The current amendment does not alter this
acknowledged program to achieve the goal. The program itself is to be applied at the
time a specific development application is received, usually upon site review.
The Environmental Resources Element of the Metro Plan implements Goal 5 as to such
identified resources, Gbjective 2 gyp. III-C-b} requires the integration of open space and
natural features into the design of urban development. Policies 1, 2, and 4 ~P. III-C-7}
require the consideration of downstream impacts of development, prohibit development in
the floodway, and require site-specific soils and geological studies where potential problems
exist. Policies 18 and 19 restrict development in wetlands areas. Policy 20 encourages local
governments to regulate development in such a manner as to better control drainage,
erosion, storm runoff and to reduce street-related water quality and quantity problems.
Policy ?,~ requires that,
"when planning for and regulating development, local governments shall each
continue to consider the need for protection of open spaces, including those
characterized by significant vegetation and wildlife. Means of protecting open space
include but are not limited to outright acquisition, conservation easements, planned
unit development ordinances, streamside protection ordinances, open space tax
deferrals, donations to the public, and performance zoning.
Development of the subject property may occur only after site review pursuant to
Springfield Development Code, SDC Article 31, which requires that the design of the
proposed development, as conditioned, 'mitigates identifted negative impacts and resolves
identified land use conflicts," including those identified here. 31.0643}. Each site plan
review application must include a written description of the development proposal and a
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20,1991 Drag
Page Z
site inventory map showing slopes, natural features, and existing public facilities. The
development plan must show how natural features will be modified by construction activity,
shaving building footprints and elevations as well as parking and circulation, public
improvements, drainage, and landscaping. Site review approval of a specific development
proposal an this site will require that the applicable resource protection policies of the
Metro Plan be addressed, and that appropriate protection be afforded. Accordingly, the
site can only be developed after implementation of the plan's acknowledged program to
achieve the purposes of Goal 5.
In addition, ail wetlands failing under the jurisdiction of the Division of State Lands and/or
the Corps of Engineers will be protected as required by applicable state and federal laws
and regulations. The forested wetland, drainage ditch, and wet meadow area identified in
the EDA Study as "the most significant wetland resource area" on the site has been
identified on the applicant's conceptual plan ~capy attached} as 'enhanced VL~etland" and
shall be fully protected under any development plan that is approved.
Goal b -Air, Water and Land Resources Quality. This goal requires that local
comprehensive plans and implementing measures be consistent with state and federal
regulations governing air, water, and land resources quality. An LRAPA analysis of
emissions from the nearby industrial area confirms that those industries are operating within
existing safety standards and that exposures on the site are well below those standards.
In addition, the application, as modified, calls for an industrial buffer area east of the only
existing heavy industrial facility near the site, the Neste resin plant. This area will be
designated for General Commercial use, excluding all residential uses and permitting only
general commercial uses, providing both a buffer and a logical transition. Based upon the
models which LRAPA has developed, the proposed buffer will provide far more protection
to the residents of Springwood than is required by any applicable statute or regula~on. It
will provide many times the protection afforded to plant workers under federal law. And
it will provide substantially more protection to Springwood residents than is currently
enjoyed by residents of the large existing.neighborhood just east of the Neste Plant and the
trailer park just north of the plant. The matrices and printouts that LRAPA has provided
pro jest potential concentrations of formaldehyde in the air at vanaus distances to the east
of the plant when the wind is blowing from the west. The matrix species 14 wind speeds
and b air stability levels. At any specific distance and direction, the projected concentration
would exist only when the wind was blowing in that direction at the specified speed under
the specified air stability conditions.
An onsite air-quality test, in which measurements were taken for six hours a day under
variable and uncontrolled weather conditions on four consecutive weekdays Friday, March
1, and Monday-Wednesday, March 4-~~, from two sites, one due east of the Neste plant at
the eastern edge of the proposed industrial buffer, and the other in the residential area just
north of the buffer area, detected no more than .oU1 ppm. average exposures on any day,
using the most sensitive testing methodology available.
Springwoad Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March X4,1991 Draft
Page 3
The highest projected concentration in LRAPA's model occurs right next to the plant on
the western side of the 100-foot railroad right of way, over 504 feet from any potential
residential use, only under speck wind direction, wind speed, and air stability conditions.
This level is approximately one-half the level to which workers may be exposed continuously
for eight hours a day, 30o days a year under ,the Federal Occupational Health and Safety
Act ~DSHA}. The 45HA standard is ~.2 parts per million, or 1,504 micrograms per cubic
meter, compared with the measured .001 ppm. or < 1 micrograms/cubic meter actually
measured in the .monitoring tests described above.
The highest projected concentration occurring outside the proposed buffer area, according
to LRAPA's models, would be only one third of the eight-hour, Soo-day-peryear DSHA
standard. Furthermore, these exposures would, according to the model, occur with far less
frequency than the daily exposure assumed by the OSHA standards. For example, the
highest concentration on the site, which occurs at the west side of the Burkland property
next to the railroad right of way just east of the Neste .plant, occurs only about one percent
of the time, compared to the S-hour daily exposure of double that concentration permitted
for workers at the plant site.
LR.APA's model assumes that the wind flows generally from west to east toward the
Springwood site about 25 percent of the time. The rest of the time the wind will be
blowing the plant's emissions in other directions. The most common condition on the site
will be a zero concentration, because the wind will be blowing in another direction, when
the wind is from the west, concentrations at any given distance will often be at or near zero,
and will only occasionally and briefly approach the highest concentrations, which themselves
are .well below the DSHA standards. The most frequent combination of west-to-east
direction and any given air stability condition is about 13 percent, which is to say that about
13 percent of the time the wind will be flowing generally west to east under stability
condition D. The highest concentrations projected for the entire site occur when the wind
is at one mile per hour under these conditions, or about 8.5 percent of the time that all
other conditions are present. Eight and a half percent of 13 percent is 1.15 percent.
The Springfield area is near or above its carrying capacity for particulates and EPA criteria
pollutants. The applicant has agreed to a restriction under the proposed plan amendment
that would prohibit the installation or use of woodstoves and fireplaces in any residence on
the subject property. This restriction will allow socially and economically desirable
development of this serviced urban land without the air pollutants that would be a natural
consequence of development of the property with heavy and medium industrial uses under
the current land use designations. It would also make the proposed community one of the
least, if not the least polluting residential development in the Eugene-Springfiield Metro
area.
Goal 7 -Areas Subject to Natural Disasters and Hazards. This goal requires that in areas
of natural hazards, such as landslides and floods, developments must incorporate
appropriate safeguards.
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20,1991 Drab Page 4
Metro Plan Policy C-4: Local governments shall require site-speck soil surveys and
geologic studies where potential problems exist. when problems are identified, local
governments shall require special design considerations and construction measures
be taken to offset the soil and geologic constraints resent; to rotect life and
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property, and to protect environmentally sensitive areas." Page III-C-7.
The site is Hat in a floodplain or ffoodway. It is level and not subject to slides. The oat
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does not address art~fic~al hazards, such as those from traffic, ~ndustnal arct~v~ , ar
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excavation. The applicant has addressed the problem of noise, safety, air quality and
compatibility with nearby industrial activities by proposing a large buffer of nonresidentiall -
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designated land to the east of the ex~st~ng resin plant. In addition, the , applicant has
proposed to fence and landscape the entire western boundary of the property, consistent
with wetlands regulations, to provide a bermed and fenced buffer at least 30 feet deep,
along with a similar buffer area at least one hundred feet deep along the northwest
boundary. These buffers shall be requirements of this plan amendment, to be implemented
upon site review.
Goal S -Recreational Needs. This goal re wires tannin for recreation areas facilities and
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opportunities in appropriate proportions and in such quantity and locations as is consistent
with the availability of resources. The Springwood proposal amply provides for these
resources. It calls for a day care center, outdoor youth recreational area, and a senior
center. The site is located four blocks due west of Tyson Park see attached ma from
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Mid-Spnngfield Refinement Plan}, well wrth~n the park's half-Hole service radius. The park
provides the neighborhood with open space, softball, picnicking, basketball facilities, and
open space, The Springfield area is well-served by the willamalane Parks and Recreation
District, with a complete park system, indoor pools, and athletic facilities. The central
location of the site will make efficient use of these facilities in awell-served part of town.
Goal 9 -Economic Development. This goal calls for diversification and improvement of the
economy, Among other things, each community must inventory its stack of buildable
commercial and industrial lands, project future need for such lands, and plan and zone
adequate acreage to meet the projected needs.
Overall, the Eugene•Springfield area is comparatively well-supplied with industrial land.
The March, 19991, Draft Metro Area Industrial Lands Study provides the following figures,
based upon a detailed review of all industrially-designated sites within the regional growth
boundary:
Short-term supply:
Short-term demand:
Long-term demand:
Grass supply:
Buildable supply; .
1,947 acres
Z28 to 410 acres
650 to 1,170 acres
4,039 acres
3604 acres
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March Z4, 1991 Dra#1
Page 5
Constraint free: 1,688 acres
In testimony before the joint planning commissions, counsel for one of the opponents, the
Neste company, stated that he had served on the Industrial Lands Study Task Force and
that "not one acre" of the region's industrial land inventory. could be spared. In addition,
the study identifies the Burkland site as one of the available "short-term" industrial sites
because of its size, central location, and availability of services.
However, a much more detailed and in-depth study of the site's absolute and relative
potential for. industrial development was was conducted for the City of Springfield in 199D
as part of the EDA Study. This study concludes that the site would require ma'or off-site
J
improvements, at a cost of $2,a0o,Da0, raising overall development costs to approximately
$3,600,000, or over $ Ioa,a00 per acre. The principal need is for an access road to Interstate
Connector I-105, access which a number of otherwise comparable sites in the region already
have. The study notes that the city's resources for infrastructure are limited and
recommends that it concentrate them on its one or two best sites, which do not include the
Burkland site. Even. with such improvements, the study finds that the property is so
configured that it would best be developed in phases, eliminating its value as a single large,
site. The study finds that the neighboring Giustina site, across Main Street to the South,
is similar. in many ways, as a large site in single ownership in the same location, but that
it can be developed at far Tess cost in infrastructure improvements. The study recommends
that the southern end of the site be developed commercially, as is proposed by the
applicant.
The site has no value as an expansion site because it is separated from neighboring
industrial uses on the west by a 1o0-foot-wide railroad right of way occupied by tracks and
a berm. The only other adjoining industrial use, to the northwest, is separated from the site
by a wooded wetland. The applicant's proposal preserves the only function of value to the
existing uses, which is to provide a buffer and transition to residential uses. Both studies
foresee no significant future demand for heavy industrial lands.
The filled log pond on the site is identified in the EDA study as a problem for industrial
development. The applicant's engineer confirms this finding, and points out that, while the
bearing capacity of the filled panel is insufficient for most industrial development,
'Zn contrast, the proposed ~housing~ development employs premanufactured
units which require cower soli bearing capacities. ~In addition,] the percent
of coverage of structures that would require removal of the soil mass is far
less than that associated with industrial developments."
The draft industrial Lands Study also finds that the most likely" projected long-term
demand for industrial land throughout the entire Metropolitan Urban Growth Area "is
estimated to be 6Sa acres." Aless-likely scenario projects along-term demand of 1,172
acres. 5 Springfield has half of the 4S 100-percent constraint-free, short term sites.-west
Eugene and 'Nest Springfield, which includes the Burkland site, have the best supplies of
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March Z0, 1991 Drab
Psge b
"constraint-free industrial sites that are presently within a ci and are well-served with
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unprovements. 4 Nest Spnng~ield has b27 ~ndustnal acres, with the "fewest potential
constraints and the most constraint-free sites ~2~} of all regions and it is generall well-
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served by public improvements. 4 west Spnng~eld s current short-term supply exceeds the
"most hkel}~' Tong-tens demand for the entire Metropolitan Urban Growth Area. 5
Projected demand far heavy industrial land is nonexistent. 5
Labor Supply and Industrial Growth
The November, 1994, Draft Industrial Lands Study finds that the "long-term deterioration
of the average earnings per job relative to the state and nation will continue to be a
disincentive to labor migration to Lane County and the Eugene-Springfield Metro olitan
• i
area. The Study projects labor shortages and a slowdown vn employment growth," A
leading guide to industrial location observes that
'Zt may not be far-fetched to state that labor is the most important sin le
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factor influence plant location; hand plant relocation} decisions. without a
supply of competent workers no plant can operate efficiently and
competitively in a market economy. For this reason proof of the availability
of a qualified labor farce that can be hired at a reasonable cost is often
required by an industrial flirm before it will locate in an area..." Moriari ,
. ~'
Industnal Location and Community Development ~UNC Press 19$4)1$1.
Labor Supply and Affordable Housing; A Critical Link
A decline in wages can be offset in part by a decline in shelter costs, Instead, the Eu ene-
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Springfield area has seen a steady increase in shelter costs resulting in an even ti ter
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squeeze on skilled and semi-skilled workers, The community which offers the best
combination of wages and shelter costs will have a strong cam arative advanta a in
p. $
attracting and retaining the labor farce necessary to attract and retain industry,
A Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing found in a report issued in
November of 1959 that
- "A ,serious and growing affordability crisis in Lane County" is evidenced in part by
"the increasing proportion of incomes that households must pay for housing," 1
Among those most affected by the affordable housing crisis are "the working poor,'
employed heads of households caught between falling wages and rising shelter costs.
1,2,6.
- In 1988, over 24 percent of all low-income renters in Lane County were paying more
than 75 percent of their income for rents. l
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20,1991 Drab Page '~
Senior Housing and the Economy--"'The Silver-Haired Economic Base."
The January, .1991, Pacific Northwest Executive, in an excerpt reprinted in the
Eugene Business Assistance Team's newsletter, NE'TMA~, describes retirees as '"The 5ilver-
Haired Economic Base," and the May, 1990, draft of the I~OG industrial land stud
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describes retirement housing as the functional equivalent of an ~ndustnal use. The reason
for this is transfer payments. As the BAT Team explains it in NETMA:
'Zn the Northwest, retirement-related transfers were the leading source of
personal income growth in the last 2fl years. Average growth rates exceeded
6% and outpaced the growth rates of earnings income by more than two to
one. Roughly one out of every three dollars of personal income; in the
Northwest stems from either transfer payments or property income. 'Retirees
are an emerging source of stable income, and economic developers now refer
to them as the silver-haired economic base.' This type of income provides a
stable growth that serves to dampen cyclical swings in personal income and
helps cushion economies from the effects of recession."
This analysis is confirmed by the fallowing findings of a study entitled Retirement
Communities: economic and Political Impacts, by the Institute on Aging of the School of
Urban Studies at the University of Portland:
- "Transfer payments--income received by individuals far which current services are
not rendered, including Social Security, pension, and investment income, play an
increasingly important role in local economies... .
- "The growing importance of transfer payments in local economies is clear."
- "More and more frequently economic development analysts include cash transfers
in basic sectors in measuring local employment growth. ...The move toward
incorporating transfer payments into basic sectors in local analysis has occurred
because transfer payments create an inflow of cash and are considered less subject
to changes in local economies."
- 'Research has noted that the elderly:
"became consumers of medical, recreational, and retail services;
"make few demands on public service institutions;
"contribute to the tax base; and
"present negligible competition for local jobs,"i
- "Small communities can capture local spending by offering a range of essential
1 PSU paper at 3, citing Longino & Biggar, 19$0.
Springwoad Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20,1991 Drag Page S
services, such as barber-beauty shop, florist, grocery, pharmacy, cafeteria, and
reaeational facilities. Local travel and banking services can also be enhanced,
stimulating new jobs and providing a necessary .service for older residents."
- "For many communities, retirement income can lead to job growth in a similar
manner to the way that industrial payrolls do."
- "Industries which provide services for older adults-such as life care facilities-have
also been shown to generate direct employment A recent study completed by
Pacific Power (1987) notes that this employment potential is substantial. In general
the study notes that about
-1.5 jobs are created by each resident in a residential care facility;
-1.3 jobs per resident in an intermediate care facility;
-1.1 jobs per resident in a skilled nursing facility; and
-1.1 jobs per patient in acute care facilities."
M "Alder adults spend more of their total income in the local economy, while less of
their income is subject to state and federal taxation." Also, a higher~percentage of
spending for services stays local than does spending for durables. Compare the
leakage an the purchase price of a car with the same amount of expenditures for a
mix of services and nondurables. 4
- Jab creation effects are strong in part because there is less 'leakage" of elderly
residents' money outside the community. 4
Goal 10 • Housing. This goal requires local jurisdictions to provide for the housing needs
of citizens of the state, and provides that 'Buildable lands for residential use shall be
inventoried and plans shall encourage the availability. of adequate numbers of housing units
at price ranges and rent levels which are commensurate with the financial capabilities of
Oregon households and allow for flexibility of housing location, type and density."
According to the latest 1991 drafts of the Metro Area's industrial lands study and
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March Z0, 1991 Draft
Page 9
residential lands study, medium density residential land allocations are extremely tight,
especially when contrasted with industrial land allocations.
The draft residential lands study shows a projected medium density residential demand of
134Q-144a buildable acres over the long-term plaruung period. The long-term, unadjusted
gross supply of land designated either in the plan or on a zoning snap, is 1,339 acres, less
than the lower of the two projected figures. The actual supply of medium density land not
subject to physical constraints, such as wetlands, flood plains, and severe slopes, is 287, or
less than 25 percent of the designated land. These constraints do not include nonphysical
but very real constraints such as the unavailability of services, off-site development costs,
and location outside city limits, which subjects unincorporated sites to the complex and
uncertain vagaries of the annexation process.
Not surprisingly, the exclusive status of that site and the limited number of other, smaller
sites, has raised their market value to the range of $25,000 or more an acre u , an amount
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which, financed with the rest of the development package, would rase the rent of each unit
in the proposed project by $75-$10a a month, rendering them unaffordable for a significant
portion of those whom the project is intended to serve.
The applicant, in consultation with area realtors and Iocai Iand use officials, reviewed a
variety of candidate sites and found none that were realistically available for immediate
development, A narrative of his efforts is in the record, as is a detailed review of medium-
density sites over to acres, prepared by land use consultant Jim Saul, which confirms that
the supply is indeed very tight.
By contrast, the draft study on Industrial Land supply and demand shows that the short-
term supply alone far exceeds not only short-term demand but long-term demand. Short-
term supply is 1,94? acres. Short-term demand is 228 to 410 acres. Long-term demand
is 65o to 1,170 acres. The grass supply of industrial land is 4,039 acres. The long-term
buildable supply is 3,604 acres. Currently constraint-free land is 1,688 acres.
Both short-term supply and constraint-free industrial lands outpace long-term supply.
It should not be surprising that, under the circumstances, it is not passible to find land in
the Eugene-Springfield ll~etro Area which is suitable, affordable, and properly designated
for low-income housing of any kind.
This deficiency in the area's planning for affordable housing could not come at a worse
time. During the 10 years since the Metro Plan was acknowledged, the problem of
affordable housing has grown steadily worse, both nationally and here in central Lane
County. Nationally, the 1988 report, State of the Nation's Housing, containing
recommendations of the National Housing Task Force, paints the following bleak picture:
"America is increasingly become a nation of housing haves and have-Hots."
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20,1991 Drab
Page 14
'The number of low-income households--particular) sin e- anent fanulies--
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has been growing."
'Mousing assistance din the form of either subsidized units or subsidized rents
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~ avadable to only a small and decreasing proportion of these households."
"Rents have been rising faster than incomes, especial) at the law end of the
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market.
'?.rower-income fanulies are paying an increasing and often .unsustainable
portion of their incomes far shelter." .
'"The rent burden for young, single-parent families increased from 34.9 percent
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to 58.4 percent between I974 and 1987.
Locally, a variety of studies have made similar findings. Amon them are these:
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The 1989 Lane County Task Farce on Homelessness and Affordable Housin re anted tha
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the only res~dent~al housing construction that has occurred since 1979 "has been lanned
and de i " P
s fined for the higher income sector. 6
The Task Force also found that this situation is Iikel to continue, observin tha as of Jul
. y g ~ y,
1959, a descrxpt~on of proposed rental pro ects ~n Eu ene ro'ected the lowest rent f r
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two-bedroom apartment at $595 a month.
The rental vacancy rate in Lane County has declined marked) since the mid-ei tie while
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rents have steadily increased at rates substantially greater than avera a median incomes.
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6.
Little new rental construction has occurred since 1979, and "what there is has been lapped
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and designed for the higher income sector. In Jul , 19$9, for exam le a descri ion of
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recently proposed rental projects in Eugene projected the lowest rent for atwo-bedroom
apartment at $59S a month. h
Approximately 25,O~o Lane County households are considered low-income, meanin these
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with having incomes of less than half the median x$14,750} fam~l income for a faaul of
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four. 7.
The national, state and local trends described in the Task Force Re art "have dras~call
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affected the abilzty of these Lane County residents to end and retain hous~n 7
"Using the federal del~nition of affordable housing as 30 ercent of household income for
... P
rent and ut~l~t~es, .. ,there are very few rental or forwsale units affordable to Conn
• ~ • , ~ ~
residents, who fall into these incame categories. 7
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20,1991 Drab
Page 11
Laud intended to meet the need for affordable housing, namely land designated for
multiple fancily use, has proven not to be actually and meaningfully available for such
housing.
Dne main reason that such lands are not in fact available for affordable housing has been
that affordable housing been unable to compete with other uses permitted on such lands.
A principal competing use is higher•income multiple family housing, which has driven the
price of land available for multiple-family housing out of reach, as evidenced by the
skyrocketing market values of such lands and by the almost complete lack of affordable
multi-family housing construction over the entire life of the area's acknowledged housing
plan element.
Another competing use is office and commercial development, which has been permitted
to occur on major tracts designated for medium and high density use. As noted by the
consultant for the current Metro Plan Housing Update,
"New office constructi on and housing conversions to office use have consumed
many MDR sites in both communities." May 11, 19917 David J. Newton
Associates Project Proposal at 2.
Examples include the 24 acres on the south side of Country Club Road in Eugene between
Delta Highway and Coburg Raad. Twelve acres are designated in the Metro Plan for high
density residential and the other twelve are designated for medium density residential use.
All 24 acres are now ro osed for redesi anon to commercial in the Metro Plan based
PP ~
upon the commercial and office development which has actually taken place. See
November,199o, draft of Eugene Commercial Lands Study, page V-~,
A third competing use is low-density single-family residential development. A substantial
amount, of land designated on the Metro Plan diagram for medium and high-density
development has been consumed bysingle-family residential development. The Metro Plan
Housing Update will help establish how much of this has taken place and how much more
is to be expected.
2,4170 of the projected 5,85 units of needed high density housing during the planning period
are unsupported by any land use designation on vacant lands. The Metro Plan simply
"assumes that an additional 2,44o new multifamily units will develop within one mile of
downtown Eugene due to redevelopment and infill," June 12, 1981, I.CDC
Acknowledgment Report, p. 72. Almost no such redevelopment has taken place since 1981,
and what little has occurred consists exclusively of high-end housing producing returns high
enough to justify the costs of demolition, rehabilitation, site location, and securing the
necessary land use designations.
Much of the identified needed multifamily land is designated ~ on the Metro Plan only as
floating nodes. These are shown "circles or portions thereof, with related commercial
Springwaod Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 24,1991 Drab
Page 1~
facilities in the center." According to the plan, their "actual locations require local analysis."
Plan II-E-3. According to the 1981 Acknowledgment report, "I`hese locations comprise a
Large portion of needed multifamily land." June 12,1981, LCDC Acknowledgment Report
at 72. Very little of this land has actually received multi-family zoning, and none has
developed as law-income hauling.
Refinement planning has steadily chipped away at the Land base for affordable housing.
In some cases, refinement plans narrowly interpret general Metro Plan designations. In
other cases they apply an overlay of vague and restrictive policies and require special
review procedures. These policies, standards, and procedures probably violate GRS
197.307~h}, which provides that
H~6} Any approval standards, special conditions and the procedures adopted by a
local government shall be clear and objective and sha11 not have the effect, either
in themselves, or cumulatively, of discouraging needed housing through unreasonable
cost or delay."
Unfortunately, the statute can only be enforced at prohibitive costs in dollars, delay, and,
in many cases, of critically needed good will.
The 1989 Lane County Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing found that:
"Although many factors are involved with homelessness, the Task Force views
homelessness as first and foremost a housing affordability problem. As a
result, the cornerstone of any effort to meet the needs of homeless people
must be the development of long-term, affordable housing." November, 1989,
Report of Lane County Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing.
"For every $1,40o of housing cost reduced, the proportion of fanulies who can afford
housing dramatically increases due to the shape of the income distribution curve."
Bergman, Development Controls and Housing Cos#s: A Policy Guide #o Research, in
Volume III, Management and Control of Growth ~ULI 1975} 531.
'Per unit differentials which are due to zoning•induced unbalances of supply currently exact
a premium or 'hidden tax' on smaller lot, lower cost housing," Bergman, Development
Can#rols and Housing Costs; A Policy Guide #o Research, in Volume III, Managemen# and
Control of Growth ~ULI 1975} 531.
Affordable Housing for the Low-income Elderly: There is a special need for an alternative,
affordable, and attractive housing choice for cower-income elderly. This segment of the
Metro Area's population is sitting an one of the area's most important resources--its
existing stock of lower-priced, older existing homes.
It has long been understood that, although new housing construction only accounts for a
Springwood Plan Amendment Applica#ion
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20,1991 Drab
Page 13
small percentage of the total housing stock, its effects reverberate throughout the Iocal
housing market;
"The impact of the net addition to the housing stock is greater than this small
percentage would suggest. This additional percentage of new units provides
the safety valve that prevents demand pressures from either raising the price
of the existing units or lower the quality of portions of the stock." Gruen, In
the Land Use Game. , ,Who Gets the Monopoly on the Good Life?", Iv
Management and Control of Growth ~ULI 1978}, p. 317.
Unfortunately, the kind of new construction that is currently occurring in central Lane
County does not include the kind of low-income housing for the elderly that is necessary
to free up and preserve a key segment of the existing housing market. That segment is the
large quantity of lower-cost single-family homes occupied by the elderly and late-middle-
aged.
A recent study highlights the importance of turnover in maintaining the condition and
quality of existing housing stock. In ~rnover and Filtering of Postwar Single~Family
Homes, author Dowell Myers writes that "T'he large stack of small, lower-cast, single-family
houses built in the 194D's and 195D's is an important resource for affordable
homeownership." He observes that "'This stack of postwar housing constitutes nearly one-
third of all owner-occupied, single-family houses today and remains a great resource of
affordable housing." Dowell states that '"I'he research reported in this article...has
identified postwar houses as one large vintage done-third of the total stock of single-family
houses} remaining sheltered from forces of gentrification and providing affordable
opportunities for homeownership." 'Tlowever," he finds that "those houses remain relatively
unavailable to the market because aflong-term occupancy." Dowell concludes that, 'fin spite
of the absence of gentrification, turnover in the postwar stock brings the benefit of
increased maintenance and repairs as well. That benefit of turnover in postwar homes
needs to be recognized when making housing policy and developing neighborhood or
areawide land use plans."
The Mid-Springfield Refinement Plan notes that most of the area consists of homes built
shortly after 'World War II. Both post-war and prewar homes occupy the large residential
area just to the west of the site. These homes have a high level of occupancy by seniors
and a relatively law turnover rate. The neighborhoods are generally well-kept but there is
a significant amount of deferred maintenance. Currently, the City of Springfield operates
a housing rehabilitation loan program. Eugene has a similar program. However, such
programs meet only a small percentage of the need for regular maintenance and
rehabilitation in these and other older neighborhoods throughout the Metro Area.
Many people living in these alder Names are at or approaching retirement, and are facing
significant drops in income. They are financially unable to move up or out of their existing
hornes, and they are also financially and often physically unable to maintain those homes.
Roughly 16,DD~ elderly persons 65 years or older live within 1D miles of the Springwood
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 24,1991 Drab
Page 14
site, aver 80 percent of these persons earn less than $1,2aO a month. Aver a quarter of
them are disabled. Most currently `own their homes and face the upkeep and maintenance
Costs that go with home Ownership.
By making low-maintenance and low-rent housing in individual attached units, built to
modern structural, energy, and accessibility standards, at the center of a tar a area of older
. 5
housing, the Spr~ngwood project will offer a s~gn~cant ~ncent~ve to increased turnover of
the older pausing stock. while these benefits cannot be quantified, they are both more
likely and no Tess certain of impact than the hoped-for benefits of an unknown mix of
industrial development which may or may not occur and which is not likely to occur within
the next 20 years, if at all. A recent University of aregon study of older residents in a
similar timber community, Coos Bay, determined that .aging residents of that community
hoped to remain within their community, near the people and institutions with which they
were familiar, It is reasonable to expect that the same would be true in Springfield. Most
other residents will probably come from similar housing elsewhere in the Metro Area and
central Lane County.
At present, the lack of a feasible alternative far existing residents is keeping affordable
family housing off the market. It is depriving younger families with need for the space in
those older family homes of the opportunity to make the transition from renters to
homeowners. Mast of these younger families are paying more for shelter in relation to
income as the local and national economy shifts toward service, retail, and other lower-
paying jobs, The bottleneck created by the dilemma of aging law-income homeowners has
dramatic impacts on this segment of the housing market, which depends upon "beginner"
homes and "fixer-uppers" to get its start. Meanwhile, thane "fixer-uppers" don't get fixed up.
Affordable, low-maintenance, accessible housing without stairs ~a major source of life-
threatening injury to older people}, with appropriate senior services nearby is an important
factor in enabling our aging residents to continue in independent living. In the 1959 study,
Caring for An Aging World, by Schwab and Jazwiecki ~1989~, the authors stress the
importance of this factor:
"Housing is an area which traditionally has not been thought of as an element
of long-term-care public policy. However; both the afrordability and the
availability of housing for the elderly plan a critical role in determining who
can remain in the community and who will enter the institutional network,"
p 373 Emphasis added}
The percentage of elderly is rapidly increasing in aregon and in the Metro Area. Logically,
As the same authors paint out, '"The demand for elderly housing and alternative living
arrangements should increase relative to the overall growth in the elderly population and
their cpanging economic position."
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20,1991 Draft
Page 15
Goal 11 • Public Facilities and Services. This goal requires the provision of a timely,
orderly and efficient arrangement of public facilities and services. All urban services
needed for the proposed development are available in this fully-developed and well•served
central urban area, including dire and police protection, parks, sanitary and storm sewers,
mass transit, schools, and urban arterial streets.
Sanitary Sewer; The site is served by a system of gravity pipes ranging in size from
8" to 42" in diameter. See Figure 6.3F in the EDA Study, The existing 4~" pipe
carrying flows west from the northern end of the site has ample capacity to handle
the proposed pro j ect, and the applicant proposes to tie all development on the site
into that pipe. There are capacity problems with the sewer along Main Street
upstream easterly} from the south end of ~ the property. The City's 1989 Sanrtary
Sewer Master Plan calls for replacing the Z7" pipe reach along Main from 32nd
Street east with 3b"pipe. The project's use of the 42" main at the north end of the
property would have no effect upon this problem or the proposed solution.
Storm Sewer; Figure G.3F in the EDA Study shows the existing storm drainage
system in and around the site. The current system incudes both closed and open
drainage ways. Pipe sizes range from 1~" to bb~ in diameter. The ditch through the
center of the Burkland site carries water from along Main Street to the Q-Street
ditch, which flows west to east past the northern border of the site. Surface runoff
from the residential area to the east is directed into ditches that flow west onto
swales on the Burkland site. The EDA study states that the Burkland site could be
served for industrial development by replacing the open ditch with "a ~6" pipe
through the middle of the Burkland site and utilization of the existing system within
the McKenzie Highway," As the applicant's engineers have determined, the same
solution would fully serve the proposed mixture of residential and commercial uses
embodied in the applicant's proposal for the site. As they say,
'"The proposed development would cause less impact on the
storm sewer system than was originally anticipated for heavy
and light industrial development. Residential developments
have a smaller percentage of impermeable surface areas than
industrial sites that typically have requirements for large
structures and paved surfacing."
Modifications to the existing drainage system shall be approved upon site review and
shall be such as will, on balance, protect and enhance its amenity and resource
values, maintain or slow runoff rates, and preserve or enhance its carrying capacity,
consistent with applicable plan policies and wetlands regulations.
Goal 12 - transportation. This goal requires the provision of, a safe, convenient, and
economic transportation system to move people and goods between geographic and
jurisdictional areas. The site plan proposes a north•south through street that runs from
Springwood Pian Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20~ I991 Drab
Page 16
Main Street on the south along the west side of the centerline drainage ditch and vvill exit
from the north-east corner of the propert}r, just south of the wetland/woa~dland preserve,
onto an access leading to 32nd Street. This will provide two points of access to Main
Street both for residents of the new developments and for residents of the existing
residential area to the east, who have expressed a desire for improved circularion and
access. The roadway will also provide bus access to all parts of the development" A bus
stop and shelter facility will be designed in cooperation with the Lane Transit District to
allow residents access to mass transit without having to cross Main Street.
Current traffic volumes on Main Street near the site are at acceptable levels, varying
between Level of Service B and .Level of Service C. These levels of service reflect urban
trafflic volumes but also reflect smooth and unobstructed flows of traffic at urban speeds.
The City of Springfield's Transportation Department has advised the project engineers that
the Department does not foresee problems with the trafl~c volumes associated with the
proposed project. If an impact study reveals a need for a traffic signal, refuge lane, or
other improvements, such improvements shall be rovided for at the time of site review.
P
foal 13 -Energy Conservation. This goal requires that land uses maximize conservation
of all forms of energy based on sound economic principles. The proposed site is part of
the existing urban fabric of Springfield, between two large residential areas which are fully
served by existing streets and ,transit facilities. The site is more energy-efficient and
centrally currently-designated medium-density residential site of more than half its size
anywhere within the Metropolitan Area Urban Growth Boundary. It is on an existing main
Lane Transit District Bus Route. Its internal street and sidewalk system, together with
nearby Tyson Park, the proposed commercial node at Main Street, on-site da ~ care, and
. . y
on-site senor center will allow residents to meet many of their dauly needs by walksng or
bicycling. The neighborhood loop system will result in pedestrian-friendly neighborhood
streets. The age and income levels of the population will result in below-average
automobile ownership and usage, trip generation, and fuel consumption. The use of
energy-efficient "Good Cents" manufactured or modular housing will keep electricity use to
a muumum and further the air quality and energy conservation policies of the Metro Area
General Plan.
These findings are supported by the following observations are based upon a 19$9 research
paper, Improving Mobility for Older People: Walking, Driving, and Public 'I~ransit ~ 1989,
by Nancy J. Chapman, Phd., Institute on Aging, School of Urban and Public Affairs,
Portland State University
- "elder households are much less likely than younger households to have access to
automobiles, although this is somewhat less true in the suburbs." 1
- Communities should " rovide a mix of land uses so that nei hborhood services can
P .g
be located within walking distance of many homes." 3
Springvvood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20,1991 Draft Page 17
- Communities should plan and design their pedestrian systems to make walking safe
and convenient for the elderly.
- Public mass transit is most economically feasible in more densely populated and
compact urban areas. 4
- Volunteer and special transit programs have important roles to play. 4
- The retired themselves make up an important component of volunteer drivers,
providing 68 percent of volunteer drivers nationally. 5
- "L,and use decisions must be made with an eye to their implications for the demands
that they will place on the transportation system. Taken together, such changes will
allow older persons to maintain their mobility and thereby much of their
independence."
Goal 14 - Urbanisation. This goal requires that urban growth boundaries ~UGB's} be
established to assure compact and efficient urban growth within UGB's while protecting
rural resource lands outside UGB's. Use of the subject site for affordable, medium-density
housing promotes this objective in many ways, some of which have been described in the
discussion of the ~ energy, transportation, and facilities goals, above.
In addition, correction of the plan and zone designations on the Burkland property helps
reduce the need to convert rural resource lands to urban sands. Gptimum, timely, and
efficient use of the limited supply of urban land is essential to avoiding outward pressure
on the Urban Growth Boundary. Misallacations of urban lands consign those lands to a
market purgatory, while the requirements of other urban land use goals go unmet.
In some cases, a major misallocation means that the nusallocated property stagnates while
two other sites must be found to satisfy two unmet needs: ~1} the need for which the
nusallocated land is intended, and ~2} the need for which the misallocated land is actually
suited, In other cases, the need for which the misallacated land is intended is satisfied by
an alternative site such as the Giustina site just south ~ of the sub ject property}. Even then,
a resource is wasted while another need either goes unmet or must be satisfied by an
expansion of the urban ~ growth boundary.
The discussion under the Econom and Housin Goals, above, demonstrates that the Metro
y ~
Area has been quite liberal in its allocation of industrial lands but quite conservative in its
allocation of land for medium density residential, .and that it has not been successful in
effectively allocating any land for affordable low-income housing. These needs must be
met somewhere, and the first place to look is at lands which experience, analysis, and the
market show to have been improperly designated in the first place. The subject site is such
a tract, The ro osed redesignation will allow it to be tailored for an optimum use as
PP
buffer, commercial, and residential use.
Springwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March ZU,1991 Drab
Page 18
In addition, as the record shows, preservation and e~cient utilization of the community's
existing housing stock is an important element in avoiding urban sprawl and pressure on
urban growth boundaries. Frequent turnover in such housing stock is essential, because
most major home maintenance is done from sale proceeds and benefits from favorable tax
treatment if done at the time of sale. in addition, maintenance decreases as people grow
older and become less able to take care of their yards and houses. Construction of the
proposed project will enable low-income senior residents of the community to increase their
disposable income while reducing their housing costs, and at the same tune it will
encourage the turnover of older homes which have been deteriorating because of Iack of
normal turnover and because of the declining physical and financial ability of the owners
to maintain them.
while these benefits cannot be quantified, they are far more probable and no less
quantifiable than any hoped-for benefits from industrial development of the subject
property, which is not expected for many years, which may or may not be labor intensive,
which may or may not require skilled workers, and which may ar may not impose a variety
of noise, pollution, traffic, and service burdens on the community.
II. METRE PLAN AMENDMENTS MUST 'BE CONSISTENT wITH THE PLAN'S
SEVEN FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.
In brief, these principles state that:
a. The Plan is a long-range policy document.
b. To work, the Plan requires cooperation among agencies and governments in
the Metro area.
c. Urban development is to take place inside the Urban Growth Boundary.
d. Zoning and other implementation actions must be consistent with the Plan.
e. The coning process must be monitored and changed from time to time to
meet current demands.
f. ~ Eugene and Springfield are the logical providers of urban services inside the
UGB.
g. The Plan is based on a projected population level of ~93,70o in the Metro
area, not on a particular future year.
III. METRO PLAN AMENDMENTS MUST NoT MfAKE THE METRE PLAN
5pringwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 20,1991 Dr~tfl
Page 19
INTERNALLY INCONSISTENT
The proposed plan amendment does not render the Metro Plan internally inconsistent. It
simply reallocates most of a single parcel of land from the Metro Area's industrial land
base to the area's medium density residential land base. As the discussion of the Economy
and Housing Goals makes clear, the reallocation does not impaur the area's industrial land
base, However, it significant enhances the area's very restricted base of medium density
land and its almost nonexistent base of land actually and realistically available for housing
which is affordable to people with earnings typical of the area's growing retail and service
sectors.
At the same time, the site continues to meet the need for a transitional zone, providing a
buffer on the east side of the only existing heavy industrial use, a buffer that is not
provided on the west side of that use.
This amendment presents no issue of inconsistency with the area's refinement plan. The
Metro Plan clearly provides that refinement plans are merely interpretative refinements of
the Metro Plan. The do not amend the Metro Plan itself. In cases of conflict, the Metro
Plan controls. The Plan provides at page I-S that, "Should inconsistencies occur, the Metro
Plan; is the prevailing policy document." The Plan clearly contemplates both that the Plan
itself will be amended and that inconsistencies between the Plan and refiinement plans will
occur. When the Plan is amended, those elements of a refinement plan that are not
consistent with the Plan as amended are ineffective to the extent of the conflict.
This is the standard rule concerning the effect of amendments to legislation upon pre-
existing implementing and interpretive rules. Any other approach would make plan
amendment process hopelessly complex and cumbersome.
IV, METRD PLAN AMENDMENTS MUST ADDRESS ONE DR MORE GF T`HE
FQLLG~ING CIRCUMSTANCES
a. An error in the publication of the Plan; or
b. Unanticipated and substantial change in circumstances; or
c. Postacknowledgment incorporation into the Plan of newly inventoried
material which relates to a Statewide Goal; or
d. A change in public policy.
This plan amendment satisfies criterion b. The current affordable housing crisis and its
causes were unanticipated. Also unanticipated was the dramatic decline in this
community's financial capability to address such problems. Finally, it was not expected that
housin element of the plan as adopted and implemented would so dramatically fail to
g
5pringwood Plan Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March Z0, 1991 Dran
Page 2~
effectively make land available for housing affordable to a significant segment of the
Eugene-Springfield community.
This plan amendment also reflects a change in public policy o ' out of the
. gr wxng
community s expenence u~tb the plan and its strong moral and political comnutment to
address the housing problem with all of the tools at its disposal.
Springwood Plan ,Amendment Application
Applicant's Proposed Findings
March 24,1991 Draft
Page Z1
e
BEFORE THE BOARD 4F COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LANE COUNTY, OREGON
ORDINANCE PA 998 ~ IN THE FATTER OF AMENDING THE EUGENE-~ SPRINGFIELD
( METROPOLITAN AREA GENERAL PLAN T4 REDESIGNATE
~ PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS MAP 17-02-31, TAE LOTS 300
~ AND 700, FROM LIGHT-MEDIUM AND HEAVY INDUSTRIAL
~ LAND USE TO A COMBINATION OF MEDIUM DENSITY
~ RESIDENTIAL, LIGHT-HEDIUM INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL
~ LAND USES, AND ADOPTING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY
~ CLAUSE
'WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Lane County has received a
proposal from the City of Springfield Springfield Journal No. 9Q-12-201.} for the
amendment of the "Eugene Springfield Metro Area General Plan" Metro Plan} to change
the land use designations of a 53--acre site; and
VflFREAS, this proposal comes to Lane County for action pursuant to procedures
described in the Metro Plan and Lane Code Chapter 12 for amendment and refinement of
the Metro Plan;
uH.ERE~-S, the Lane County Planning Commission has reviewed the proposal i.n public
hearing on March l2 and April 3, 1991 and has made a recommendation to the Board; and
WHEREAS, evidence exists within the record indicating that the proposal meets the
requirements of Lane Code Chapter 12, and the requirements of applicable state and
local law; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has conducted public hearings and is
now ready to take action;
NOWT THEREFORE, the Board of County Commissioners of Lane County ordains as
follows: _
The Metro Plan Diagram land use designation of the property is amended from
"Heavy Industrial" and "Light-Medium Industrial" to a combination of "Medium
Density Residential," "Light-Medium Industrial'" and "Commercial" as depicted
on Exhibit "A'" attached and incorporated herein.
Although not.a part of this Ordinance, the Board of County Commissioners adopts
the Findings set forth in Exhibit "B" attached and incorporated herein, in support of
this action.
The prior designations repealed by this Ordinance shall remain in full force and
effect to authorize prosecution of persons in violation thereof prior to the
effective date of this Ordinance.
1 - IN THE MATTER OF AMENDING THE EUGENE-SPRINGFIELD METROPOLITAN AREA
GENERAL PLAN TO REDESIGNATE PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS MAP 17-OZ-3l, TAX LOTS 300
AND 700, FROM LIGHT-MEDIUM AND HEAVY INDUSTRIAL LAND USE TO A COMBINATION OF
MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, LIGHT-MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL LAND USES,
AND ADOPTING A SAVTNGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance
is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent
provision, and such holding shall not effect the validity to the remaining portions
hereof.
ENACTED this day of 1991.
~~
Chair, ane County Board of County Commissioners
ordi
Secretary for this meeting of the Board
...
Dare '" ~ ~ ~~;~~ ~o ~~ty
...w~..~ ~...-.~..
Oi-r ~r ~.~[zti~. V4J~~'~rj..
2 - IN THE MATTER OF AMENDING THE EUGENE-SPRINGFIELD METROPOLITAN AREA
GENERAL PLAN TO REDESIGNATE PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS MAP 17-~OZ-31, TAB LOTS 300
AND 700, FRAM LIGHT-MEDIUM AND HEAVY INDUSTRIAL LAND USE TO A COMBINATION OF
MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, LIGHT-MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL LAND USES,
AND ADOPTING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
Revised
Exhibit "A"
Ordinance PA 998
Si te-
of
Proposal
__ .
• : ~-
I~ ~r - ,ti -
J ', Y \ • J
• - =
r'
~ - ~iedi um density -
-f - Res~i denti a~
.-.. X35.36 ac}
1~
~x
~ ~ ~
t _-.
~ Light-Medium
- ~ndustria~ ~ ~ ~ ~;
~ 19.83 ~ ac } ~ ~~
i ~
~~ -
~ ~_
i
,~
~ .,
~ ~ I +:
-~ ~
~~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~~. ~ ~:
~~ ~~ ~
~~.
i ~~ ~ =
x ~ ~~~~
r . - ~,
~ - Commerci a~
i,
~5 ac}
~._ ~.
f _ ~ - ..~ .
~ ~ ~
~ f '
-.
~.
Exh~b~t "B"
ord PA 998
(August 1991)
Fii~dix~bs ire Sti~~~~o~'# of Oi•di~~ar~cc 110. PA 998
An~czitlii~g 11~~} 1~Ic~Iru I'1<<~~ ~t3~~~•ki~~ncliSpri~~g~-~oud Site
~. METRO PLAN A11~El~TD~~ENTS ~1~1UST BE C~I~S~STENT ~'F'~TH APPLICABLE
STATE GOALS
_~
Goal ~ -Citizen Xn~tol~~ement. This goal requires that programs be implemented that will
provide an opportunity for citizens to be invol~~ed in all phases of tl~e planning process.
Springf eld and the other two 11~etro Area planning jurisdictions have an ackno«~ledged citizen
involvement program and acknowledged procedures for securing citizen input on all proposed
plan and zone changes. Those procedures Dave been followed with this amendment. This plan
amendment was. referred to affected public agencies and groups, and notice of its contents v~~as
provided to affected residents and property oti~~ners through written and published notice as
reflected in the record. Prior to final adoption, public hearings will have been held by the
planning commissions, the elected governing bodies of all three jurisdictions, .and the
Metropolitan Policy Committee. The City of Springfield will conduct additional public hearings
to adopt Ref nement Plan Amendments intended to implement the Metro Plan Amendment.
Goal 2 ~- Land Use Planning. This goal requires establishment of a land use planning process
and policy framework as a basis for land use decisions. Satisfaction of this goal requires
adoption of a comprehensive plan and its acknowledgment by the Oregon Land Conservation and
Development Commission. This Metro Plan amendment is being processed as acitizen-initiated
amendment as provided for in Chapter IV of the acknowledged Metropolitan Area General Plan
and as implemented through the acknowledged land use codes of the three jurisdictions. Further
ref nement of this amendment will occur through adoption of new policies in the Mid-Springfield
Refinement Plan and through implementation of the City's site plan review standards.
Goals 3 & 4 -Agricultural and Fot•est. Laj~ds. These goals protect farm and forest Iand. The
site, annexed to the city in Ig6o~, is in the geographic center of Springfield. It is acknowledged
urban land. No part of the subject site or any abutting or nearby site is planned, zoned, held,
or suitable for agricultural or forest use.
Goal 5 -Open Spaces, Scenic and historic Areas, .and Natural Resources. This goal
requires the conservation and protection of inventoried and significant open space, scenic and
historic areas, and natural resources unless conflicting uses have been identified and justified
through an analysis of the economic, social, environmental and energy consequences ~ESEE
analysis}-~ ~ ..
Na part of the site is ~~~ithin a floadplain or t~ood«ray.
No threatened or endangered species ha~~e been found an the site.
Drainage ditches and wetland areas on the site ~~~ere identified as riparian resource in the
Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Goal ~ wildlife Habitat inventory Lev 1990}. Two
sections of tl~e Q Street ditch extending into the property were described, and values are
identified in the inventory as a wildlife travel corridor. Site descriptions and maps from
the inventory are attached.
A 199Q study of the site was prepared for the City of Springfield by the Mitchell Nelson
Group and David J. Newton Associates, entitled Analysis of Development Capability
and infrastructure Impro~-en~e~}t. heeds far Selected Springfield industrial Sites. ~t
was prepared under a federal Economic Development Administration grant and is
referred to in these findings as the ED.4 Study. The EDA study confirms and refines
wetland, riparian, and wildlife values on the site as set Earth in the attached excerpts
from the study.
Goal 5 was applied at the time of acknowledgment and the determination was made to allow
urban development of the site but to limit such development by application of protective plan
policies at the time of review of specific development applications where Goal 5 resources had
been identified. The current amendment does not alter this acknowledged program to achieve
the goal. The program itself will be applied at the time a specific development application is
received, as a required element of the city's site plan review process.
The Environmental Resources Element. of the Metro Plan implements Goal 5 as to such
identi.f ed resources. Objective 2 gyp, 111-C-b~ requires the .integration of open space and natural
features into the design of urban development. Policies 1, 2, and 4 gyp. ll~-C-7~ require the
consideration of downstream impacts of development, prohibit development in the floodway, and
require site-specific soils and geological stti~dies where potential problems exist. Policies ~ 8 and
I9 restrict development in wetlands areas. Policy 20 encourages local governments to regulate
development in such a manner as to better control drainage, erosion, storm runoff and to reduce
street-related water quality and quantity problems. Policy ~S requires that,
"V~lhen planning for and regulating development,.local governments shall each continue
to consider the need for protection of open spaces, including those characterized by
signif cant vegetation and wildlife. Means of protecting open space include but are not
limited to outright acquisition, conservation easements, planned unit development
o.~dinances, streamside protection ordinances, open space tax deferrals, donations to the ~ - .
public, and performance zoning."
Develo ment of tl~e subject property ~~~ay occur Dilly after site review pursuant to Springfield
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De~+elopment Code, SDC Article 3l , ~~~}rich rzq~~ires tl~at the design of the proposed
develo ment, as conditioned, "mitigates identified negati~le impacts and resolves identified land
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use conflicts," including those ide~~tified here. 31.aba~3}. Each site plan review apphcat2on
must include a written description of the development proposal and a site inventory map showing
slopes, natural features, and existing public facilities. The development plan must show haw
natural features will be modified by construction activity, showing building footprints and
elevations as well as parking and circulation, public improvements, drain~~age, and landscaping.
Site review a royal o~ a s~ ecif c development proposal on this site will require that the
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a ~icable resource protection policies of the Metro Plan be addressed, and that appropriate
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rotectian~ be afforded. Accordingly, the site can only be developed after implementation of the
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plan's acknowledged program to achieve the purposes of Goal 5.
In addition, all wetlands falling under the jurisdiction of the Division of State Lands andlor the
Co s of Engineers will be protected as required by applicable state and federal laws and
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regulations. The forested wetland, drainage ditcl~, and wet meadow area ident~f ed ~n the EDA
Stud as "the most significant wetland resource area" on the site has been identified on the
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a licant's conceptual plan copy attached as "Enhanced wetland" and shall be fully protected
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under an develo meet plan that is approved.
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Goal 6 ~ Air, .wat.er and I;~~nd Resources Quali#y~. This goal requires that local
com rehensive plans and implementing measures be consistent with state and federal regulations
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governing air, water, and land resources quality.. An LRAPA analysis of emiss~ons from the
nearb industrial area confirms that those industries are operating within existing safety standards
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and that exposures on the site are well below those standards. ~ In addition, the appl~cat~on, as
modified, calls for an industrial buffer area east of the only existing heavy industrial facility near
the site, the Neste resin. plant. This area will be designated for Light~Medium 1'ndustrial use,
excludin all residential uses and ermittina onl light manufacturing, assembly, and warehouse
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t e uses, roviding both a buffer .and a logical transition. Based upon the. models which
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LRAPA has developed, the proposed buffer will provide far more protection to the residents of
S rin wood than is re aired by any applicable statute or regulation. It will provide many times
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the . rotection afforded to plant workers under federal law. And it will provide substantially
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mare separat~an from Springwood than ~~s currently enjoyed by~ residents of the trailer park dust
north of the lant. The matrices and printouts that LRAPA has provided project potential
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concentrations of formaldehyde ~n the air at vanous distances to the east of the plant when the
wind is blowin from the west. The matrix specif es 14 wind speeds and b air stability levels.
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At an specific distance and direction, the projected concentration would exist only when the
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~vind was blowing in that direction at the specif ed speed under the specif ed air stability
condition. ~ ~~
3
An onsite air-quality test, in which measurements were taken for six hours a day under variable
and uncontrolled «~eather conditions o1~ four consecutive weekdays ~~riday, March 1, and
Monda -Wednesday, March 4-6}, from two sites, one due east of the Neste plant at the eastern
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edge of the proposed industrial buffer, and t}~e other in the residential area just north of the
buffer area, detected no more than .Od 1 ppm. a~~erage exposures on any day, using the most
sensitive testing methodology avai}able.
The highest projected .concentration in LRAPA's model occurs right ne~ct to the plant on the
western side of the 1~~-foot railroad right of i~ray, over 5~Q feet from any potential residential
use, only under specific wind direction, wind speed, and air ~ stability conditions. This level is
approximately one-half the level to which workers may be exposed continuously for eight hours
a day, 3~o days a year under the Federal Occupational Health and Safety Act OSHA}. The
OSHA standard is 1.2 parts per million, or 1,50 micrograms per cubic meter, compared with
the measured .ool ppm. or < 1 microgran~slcubic meter actually measured in the monitoring
tests described above.
The highest projected concentration occurring ~ outside the proposed buffer area, according to
LRAPA's models, would be only one third of the eight-hour, 3o0-day-per-year OSHA standard.
Furthermore, these exposures would, according to the model, occur with far less frequency than
the Bail ex osure assumed b the OSHA standards. For example, the highest concentration on
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the site, which occurs at the west side of the Burkland property next to the railroad right of way
just east of the Neste plant, occurs only about one percent of .the time, compared to the 8-hour
Bail ex osure of double that concentration permitted for workers at the plant site.
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LRAPA'~ model assumes that the. wind Bows generally from west to east toward the Springwood
site about 25 ercent of the time. The rest of the time the wind will be blowing the plant's.
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emissions in other directions. The most common condition on the site will be a zero
concentration, because the wind will be blowing in another directian.~ when the wind is from
the west concentrations at an given distance will often be at or near zero, and will ~ only
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occasionally and briefly approach the highest concentrations, which'themselves are well below
the OSHA standards. The mo$t fre uent combination of west-to-east direction and any given
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air stabilit condition is about 13 percent, which is to say that about 13 percent of the time the
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wind ~w~ll be flowing generally west to east ~ under stab~l~ty condition ~ D. The highest
concentrations projected for the entire site occur when the wind is at one mile per hour under
these conditions, or about $.5 percent of the time that all other conditions are present. Eight
and a half percent of 13 percent is 1.15 percent.
..
Goal 7 -Areas St;b~ect to ~Tatt~~'al nisaste~•s and ~-~azards. This goal requires that in areas
of natural hazards, such as landslides a~~d floods, develap~1~ents must incorporate appropriate
safeguards.
L!'letro Plan Polie}~ C-~: Local governments shall require site-specific soil surveys and
eologic studies where potential problems exist. when problems are identified, local
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governments shall require special design considerations and construction measures be
taken to offset the soil and geologic constraints present, to protect~1jife and property, and
to protect environmentally sensitive areas." Page lYl-C-7.
The site is not in a flood lain or flood~~1a . It is level and not subject to slides. The goal does
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not address artificial hazards, such as those from traffic, industrial activity, or excavation. The
a licant has addressed the problem of noise, safety, air quality and compatibility with nearby
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industrial act~v~t~es by proposing a large buffer of nanres~dent~ally-designated land to the east
of the existin resin Iant. ~ In addition, the applicant has proposed to fence and Landscape the
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entire western boundary of the property, consistent with wetlands regulations, to provide a
bermed and fenced buffer at least 3o feet deep, along with a similar buffer area at least one
hundred feet deep clang the northwest boundary. These buffers shall be requirements of this
plan amendment, to be .implemented upon site review.
Goal 8 -Recreational 11~eeds. ~ This Baal requires planning for recreation areas, facilities and
0 ortunities inappropriate proportions and in such quantity and locations as is consistent with
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the availability of resources. The site is located four blocks due west of Tyson Park see
attached ma from Mid-Springfield Refinement Plan}, well within the park's half-mile service
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radius. The park provides the neighborhood with open space, softball, picnicking, basketball
facilities, and open space. The Springfield area is well-served by the willamaiane Parks and
Recreation District, with a complete park system, indoor pools, and athletic facilities. The
central Location of the site will make efficient use of these facilities in awell-served part of
town. _
Goal 9 -Economic Development. This goal calls for diversification and improvement of the
econom . among other things, each community must inventory its stock of buildable
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commercial. and industrial lands, project futi~re need for such lands, and plan and zone adequate
acreage to meet the projected needs.
5
Gverall, the Eugene-Springfield area is comparatively well-supplied with industrial land. The
>~~arch, 1991, Draft Metro Area ~ndustriai Lands Study provides the following f gures, based
upon a detailed review of all industrially-designated sites within the regional growth boundary:
Short-term supply:
Short-term demand:
Long-term demand:
Crass supply:.. .
Buildable supply:
Constraint free:
I,9~7 acres
~?$ to 410 acres
650 to 1,170 acres
4,039 acres
3, 604 acres
1,6$$ acres
.~
However, a much more detailed and in-depth study. of the site's absolute and relative potential
far industrial development was conducted for the City of Springfield in 199o as part of the EDA
Study. This study concludes that the site would require major off site improvements, at a cost
of $2,ODO,000, raising overall development.costs to approximately $3,600,000, or over $100,000
per acre. The principal need is for an access road to Interstate Connector I-105, access which
a number of otherwise comparable sites in the region already have. The study notes that the
city's resources for infrastructure are limited and recommends that it concentrate them on its one
or two best sites, which do not include the Burkland site. Even with such improvements, the
study f nds that the property is so configured that it would best be developed in phases,
eliminating its value as a single large site. The study finds that the neighboring Giustina site,
across Main Street to the South, is similar in many ways, as a large site in single ownership in
the same location, but that it can be developed at far less cost in infrastructure improvements.
The study recommends that the southern end of the site be developed commercially, as is
proposed by the applicant.
The draft industrial Lands Study also finds that the most likely projected long-term demand for
industrial land throughout the entire Metropolitan Urban Growth Area "is estimated to be 650
acres." Aless-likely scenario projects along-term demand of 1,172 acres. Springfield has half
of the 48 100-percent constraint-free, short term sites. west Eugene and west S rin field,
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which includes the Btirkland site, have the best supplies of "constraint-free industrial sites that
are presently within a city and [are] well-served with improvements." West Springfield has 627
industrial acres, with the "fewest potential constraints and the most constraint-free sites 20 of
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all regions and it is generally well-served by public improvements." West Springfield's current
short-term supply exceeds the "most likely" long-term demand for the entire Metropolitan Urban
Growth Area. Projected demand for heavy industrial land is not anticipated in the study.
v,
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Labor Supply and ~~~dust~•iai G~•o-~~tl~
The November, 1994, Draft ind~~strial Lands Stt~dy finds that the "long-term deterioration of the
average earnings per dab relati~re to tine state and natio~~ will continue to be a disincentive to
Tabor migration to Lane County and the Eugene~Springf eld Metropolitan area." The Study
projects "labor shortages and a slowdo~~~n in employment growth." A leading guide to industrial
location observes that
~s,
"Zt may not be far-fetched to state tl~at labor i.s the most important single factor
influence plant location; hand plant relocation} decisions. without a supply of
competent workers no plant can operate efficiently and competitively in a market
economy. For this reason proof of the availability of a qualified labor force that
can be hired at a reasonable cost is often required .by an industrial firm before it
will locate in an area..." l~~~oriarity, r~~dust~•ial Location and Community
Development ~UNC Press 19$x) 181.
Labor Supply and Affordable Housi~~g: A Critical Li~ik
A decline in wages can be offset in part by a decline in shelter costs. rnstead, the Eugene-
Springfield area has seen a steady increase in shelter costs resulting in an even tighter squeeze
on skilled and semi-skilled workers. The community which offers the best combination of wages
and shelter costs will have a strong comparative advantage in attracting and retaining the labor
force necessary to attract and retain industry.
A~ Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable 1*Iausing~ found in a report issued in November
of 1989 that:
~ "A serious and growing affordability. crisis in Lane County" is evidenced in part by "the
increasing proportion of incomes that households must pay for housing."
w Among those most affected by the affordable housing crisis are "the working poor,"
employed heads of households caught between falling wages and rising shelter costs.
r~ In 198$, over 20 percent of all low-income renters in Lane County were paying mare
than 75 percent of their income for rents. ,
Goal 10 -Housing: This goal requires local jurisdictions to provide for the pausing needs of
citizens of the state, and rovides that "Buildable lands for. residential use shall be inventoried
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and plan{~. shall encourage the availability of adequate numbers ~of housing units at price ranges
and rent levels which are commensurate with the financial capabilities of Oregon households and
allow for flexibility of housing location, type and density."
7
According to the latest 1991 drafts of tl~e Metro Area's industrial lands study and residential
lands study, medium density residential land allocations are extremely tight, especially when
contrasted with industrial land allocations.
The draft residential lands study shoves a projected medium density residential demand of 1340-
144D buildable acres aver the long-term planning period. The long-term, unadjusted gross
supply of land designated either in tl~e plan or on a zoning map, is 1,339 acres, less than the
lower of the two projected figures. The actual supply. of medium density land not subject to
physical constraints, such as wetlands, flood plains, and severe slopes, is~~87, or less than 25
percent of the designated land.
A further description of the inventory is provided by land use consultant Jim Saul, which
confirms that the supply is indeed very tight.
By contrast, the draft study on Industrial Land supply and demand shows that the chart-term
supply exceeds both short-term and long-term demand. Sl~ort-term supply is 1,947 acres. Short-
term demand is 22S to 41o acres. Long-term demand is b5o to 1,17o acres. ~ The gross supply
of industrial land is 4,039 acres. The long-term buildable supply is 3,bfl4 acres.. Currently
constraint-free land is l,b$$ acres.
This short-fall in the area's mufti-family inventory does not help what has become a signif cant
problem: affordable housing. During the to years since the Metro Plan was acknowledged, the
lack of affordable housing has grown steadily worse, both nationally and here in central Lane
County. Documentation of this situation nationally, is found in the National Housing Task Force
report, State of the Nation'sHousin~.
Locally, a variety of studies have made similar f ndings. Among them are these:
The 19$9 Lane County Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing reported that "the
only residential housing construction that has occurred since 1979 "has been planned and
designed for the higher income sector."
The rental vacancy rate in Lane County has declined markedly since the mid-eighties, while
rents have steadily increased at rates substantially greater than average median incomes.
Little new rental construction has occurred since 1979, and "what there is has been planned and
designed, for the higher income sector." In July, l9$9, for example, a description of recently
proposed rental projects in Eugene projected the lowest rent for atwo-bedroom apartment at
$5~5 a rrtonth.
Approximately 2$,00o Lane County households are considered low-income, meaning those
having incomes of less than half the median ~$14,750~ family incame far a family of four.
The national, state and local trends described in the Task Force Report "~~ave drastica]ly affected
the ability of these Lane County residents to find and retain housing."
"t]sing the federal definition of affordable lousing as 30 percer~t of I~ouseho]d income for rent
and utilities, ...there are very few re~~tal or for-sale units affordable to County residents; who
fall into these income categories. "
Land intended to meet the need for affordable ~~ousi~~g, namely land designated for multiple
family use, has proven not to be actually and meaningfully available for-such housing.
one main reason that such ]ands are not in fact available for affordable housing has been that
affordable housing has been unable to compete ~~~ith other uses permitted on such Iands.
A principal competing use ishigher-income j~~ultiple family housing, which has driven the price
of land available for multiple-family housing out of reach, as evidenced by tl~e increasing market
values of such lands and by the dearth of affordable mu]ti-family housing construction in the last
ten years.
"For every $1,040 of housing cost reduced, the proportion of families who can afford housing
dramatically increases due to the shape of the income distribution cur~~e." Bergman,
Development Controls and Housi~~g Costs: A Policy wide to research, in Volume 1~1`,
Management. and Co~Ztrol of Gr•o~~~tl~ ~ULI 1975} 531.
"Per unit differentials which are due to zoning-induced imbalances of supply currently exact a
premium or 'hidden tax' on sma]]er lot, lo~~fer cast housing:" Bergman, Development Controls
and Housing Costs: A Policy Gttide to Research, in Volume II1, Ma~~agement and Control
of Gro~~~th ~ULZ 1975} 531.
Goal 1 ~ -Public Facilities and Services. This goal requires the provision of a timely, orderly
and efficient arrangement of public facilities and services. All urban services needed far the
proposed development are available in this fully-developed and well-served central urban area,
including fire and police protection, parks, sanitary and storm sewers, mass transit, schools, and
urban arterial streets.
Sanitary Se~~~er: The site is ser~~ed by a system of gravity pipes ranging in size from
8" to 42" in diameter. See Figure 6.3F in the EDA Study. The existing 42" pipe
carrying flows west from the northern end of the site has ample capacity to handle the
proposed project, and the applicant proposes to tie a]1 development on the site into that
pipe. There are capacity problems with the sewer along Main Street upstream easterly}
from the south end of the property. Tl~e City's 1989 Sanitary Sewer Master Plan coils
fir. replacing the 27" pipe reach along Main from 32nd Street east with 3~" pipe. The ~~-~
project's use of the 42" main at the north end of the property .would have no effect upon
this problem or the proposed solution.
9
Storm Se~4fer: Figure fi.3F in tl~e EDA Study shows the existing storm drainage system
in and around the site. The c~lrrent s}stem incudes both closed and open drainage ways.
Pipe sizes range from lo" to bb" in diameter. The ditch through the center of the
Burkland site carries water from alo~~g I~~ain Street to the Q-Street ditch, which flows
west to east past the northern border of the site. Surface runoff from the residential area
to the east is directed into ditches that flow west onto swales on the Burkland site. The
EDA study states that the Burkland site could be served for industrial development by
replacing the open ditch with "a fib" pipe through the middle of~Mthe Burkland site and
utilization of the existing system ~~rithin the McKenzie Highway." As the applicant's
engineers have determined, the same solution would fully serve the proposed mixture of
residential and commercial uses embodied in the applicant's proposal for the site. As
they say, .
"The proposed development would cause less impact on the storm
sewer system than was originally anticipated for heavy and. light
industrial development. Residential developments have a smaller
percentage of impermeable surface areas than industrial sites that
typically have requirements for large structures and paved
sur acing."
Modif cations to the existing drainage system shall be approved upon site review and
shall be such as will, on balance, protect and enhance its amenity and resource values,
maintain or slow runoff rates, and preserve or enhance its carrying capacity, consistent
with applicable plan policies and wetlands regulations.
foal 12 ~ Transport.atxon. This goal requires the provision of a safe, convenient, and economic
transportation system to move people and goods between geographic and jurisdictional areas.
The site plan proposes anorth-south through street that runs from Main Street on the south along
the west side of the centerline drainage ditch and will exit from the north-east corner of the
property, just south of the wetlandlwoodland preserve, onto an access leading ~0 32nd Street.
This will provide two points of access to Main Street both for residents of the new developments
and for residents of the existing residential area to the east, who have expressed a desire for
improved circulation and access. The roadway will also provide bus access to all parts of the
development. A bus stop and shelter facility will be designed in cooperation with the Lane
Transit District to allow residents access to mass transit without having to cross Main Street.
Current traffic volumes on Main Street near the site are at acceptable levels, varying between
Level of Service B and Level of Service C. These levels of service reflect urban traffic volumes
but also ~ reflect smooth and unobstructed flows of traff c at urban speeds. The City of _.
S rin f eld's Trans ortation De artment has advised the ro'ect en ineers that the De artment
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does not foresee problems with the traffic volumes associated with the proposed project. If an
impact study reveals a need for a traffic signal, refuge lane, or other improvements, such
improvements shall be provided for at tl~e time of site review.
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Go1l 13 - E~~ergy Co~~ser~ralior~. This goal requires that land uses ~l~axin~ize conser~~ation of
ill forms of e~~ergy based on so~~nd eco~~omic principles. The proposed site is part of the
existing urban fabric of 5prit~bf field, bet~~~een two lame residential areas ti~fl~icl~ are fully served
by existing streets and transit facilities. Tl~e site is more centrally located tha~~ any other
currently-designated medium-density residential site of more than half its size anywhere within
the Metropolitan Area Urban Growth Boundary. It is on an existing main Lane Transit District
Bus Route. lts internal street and sidewalk system, together with nearby Tyson Park, the
proposed commercial node at Main Street, ~~~ill allow residents to meet many of their daily needs
by walking or bicycling. The neighborhood loop system will result in pedestrian-friendly
neighborhood streets. The income levels of the population will result in below-average
automobile ownership and usage, trip generation, and fuel consumption. .
Goal. X4 - Ut•bax~ization. This goal req«ires that urban growth boundaries ~UGB's} be
established to assure cocl~ act a~~d eff cie~~t urban gro~~~tll within UGB's while protecting rural
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resource lands outside UGB's. Use of the subject site for affordable, medium-density housing
promotes this objective ire many ways, so~1~e of wllicl~ have been described in the discussion of
the energy, transportation, and facilities boats, above.
~n those instances where an under allocation of needed supply exists, it is necessary to then
convert another inventory source or Zook towards an expansion in the boundary. Conversion of
surplus inventory is far more preferable than a boundary expansioil~.
The discussion under the Economy and Housing Goals, above, demonstrates that the Metro Area
has been quite liberal in its allocation of industrial lands but quite conser~tative in its allocation
of land far medium density residential, and that past residential development has not included
affordable low-income housing. These needs must be met somewhere, and a reasonable exercise
is to evaluate the attributes of sites which are included in a surplus inventory. The subject site
is such a tract. The proposed redesignation will allow it to be tailored for an optimum use as
buffer, commercial, and residential ~~se.
I~. IlZETR4 PLAN AI17E~TD1I~ZENTS 11~UST~~ 1\aT MAKE THE n~ETR~ PLAN
INTER11rALLY ~~Ca1~~51STEI~T
The proposed plan amendment does not render the Metro Plan internally inconsistent. It seeks
to reallocate most of a single parcel of land from the Metro Area's industrial land base to the
area's medium density residential land base. As the discussion of the Economy and Housing
Goals makes clear, the reallocation does not impair the area's industrial land base, nor does it
reduces :art or tan -term inventor below rojected demand. It will add 35 acres to the area's - ~ .
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limited base of medium density land at a site that is fully ser~~iced a~~d centrally located.
At the same time, the site continues to meet tl~e need for a transitional zone, providing a buffer
between existinb heavy industrial uses and low density residential development. This is
consistent with lannin~ ractice elsewhere in tl~e Metro Plan and Springfield Ref nement Plans.
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This amendment presents no issue of inconsistency with the area's refi~~ement plan. The Metro
Plan clearly provides that refinement plans are local, interpretative refinements of the Metro
Plan. The do not amend the Metro Plan itself. In cases of conflict, the Metro Plan controls.
The Plan provides at page. X-5. that, "Should inconsistencies occur, the Metro Plan; is the
revailin olio. document." The Plan clearly contemplates both that the Plan itself will be
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amended and that inconsistencies between the Plan and ref nen~ent plans will occur. When the
Plan is amended, those elements of a ref nement plan that are not consistent ~~~ith the Plan as
amended are ineffective to the extent of the conflict.
III. THE A~~ZEI\rDMENT IS I1~T A PLAN UP-DATE AMEhrD117ENT
In determining the classifcation of a Plan amendment, the Director of the home jurisdiction must
take action within five da s of acceptance of a complete application. an Ianuary 1~, 1991, the
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following f ndings for classification as a Major Plan Amendment were made:
A major plan amendment is defined as..."A change to the Metropolitan Plan which ~1} amends
the text of the Plan; ~2} is a substantial diagram amendment; ~3} requires an ESEE analysis
under statewide planning Goal 5; ~4} requires another concurrent Plan amendment to maintain
plan .consistency; or ~5} substantively affects the City of Eugene, the City of Springfield and
Lane County. " .
A substantial diagram amendment is defined as..."A change to the Metropolitan Plan diagram
whicfi is a change to or from medium or high density residential or commercial designations for
more than 15 acres of land or which is any other change affecting more than 3~ acres of land."
The proposed amendment would change the Metro Plan diagram from Light-Medium and Heavy
Industrial to Medium Density Residential for 52 acres of land within the city limits ~ of
Springfield.
Although this proposed amendment is substantive, it does not rise to the level of a plan update
amendment which is def ned as:
Any change to the Metropolitan Plan which ~1}changes the urban growth baundary or
the jurisdictional boundary of the Plan; ~2} requires a goal exception to be taken under
statewide planning goal 2; ~3} .amends a fundamental principle, metropolitan goal ar
policy set out in Chapter II of the Plan; or ~~} requires a substantial diversion of
budgeted planning resources from the approved work programs . of affected city
departments.
12
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The sub'ect roperty is ulithin the city limits and designated for urban use therefore no
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ad'ustment to either boundary is required nor are there any resource protection issues v~rhich
~ ~' ' o amendment seeks no
require an exception pursuant to state~~ 3de plann~n~ goal 2. This proposed
than e to plan policy or text and, beca~~se this proposal ~~~as privately jn~tlated consistent with
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the new amendn~ent proced~~res, no di~lersion of b~idgeted resources ~s required far processing.
13
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