HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 19852ORDINANCE NO.19852
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE EUGENE
COMMERCIAL LANDS STUDY.
The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that:
A. The Eugene, Springfield and Lane County elected officials approved the start
of a comprehensive update of the Metropolitan Area General Plan Metro Plan in Jul ,
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1987. The update was to include a review of the local economy and needed char es to
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the supply of commercial and industrial land.
B. Work an the update was stopped in January, 1989 when Springfield and
Lane County pulled out of the process due to fiscal constraints. ~n response, the Eu ene
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Planning Commission began work an the Eugene Commercial Lands Study Stud in
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February, 1989.
C. The Study is an examination of cammercial land issues for the City of
Eugene and the Eugene portion of the Urban Growth Boundary. The Study was primaril
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initiated to address the fallowing:
~a) Statewide Goal 9 Economy Administrative Rule requires cities to
evaluate whether the supply of commercial land meets local community
economic objectives;
fib) With lowered unemployment rates din 1989} and a growing
population base, Eugene was viewed as a strong market for new and
expanding commercial activities;
~c~ The absorption rate of commercial land appeared high based on
the number of requests for rezoning land to commercial use and
development of vacant sites;
~d3 Trends in commercial development appeared to be changing; and
fie} The quality of commercial development varied, in some cases
creating major community concerns.
The main goal of the Study was to decide if there is a need to make any changes to the
supply of commercial land and/or to existing City policies or regulations based on local
community objectives.
D. The Eugene Planning Commission served as the main citizen adviso ou
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for the Study. The Planning Commission sponsored a major public forum on Janua 3~,
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1990 to generate comments concerning the draft Study findings and ke communi
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discussion points. Excluding commissioners and staff, about 65 people participated at the
Study forum,
E. The Eugene Planning Commission considered public comments from the
forum as it proceeded with preparing the draft Study policies and implementation
strategies. In addition to the forum, numerous presentations were made during the
preparation of the Study to interested groups and organizations. The commission also
considered suggestions made during the presentations.
F. In March, 1991, the initial draft of the Study was distributed for public
review. Information sessions were held regarding the Study and citizens were provided an
opportunity to share comments with staff and complete a survey regarding commercial
land issues. Comments generated were forwarded to the Eugene Planning Commission.
G. The Eugene Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the draft
Study on April 30,1991. The commission then received approval from the Eugene Citizen
Involvement Committee to create the Commercial Lands Study Task Force to assist with
the resolution of specified issues. The nine-member task force included local developers,
business owners, neighborhood representatives, members of the Eugene Area Chamber of
Commerce, the League of Women Voters, and two planning commissioners.
H. The Commercial Lands Study Task Force recommendations were presented
to the Eugene Planning Commission on September 23, 1991. Following discussion by the
Planning Commission, a series of changes to the draft Study were considered along with
other potential changes based on public comments.
I. 0n December 10, 1991 the Eugene Planning Commission held a public
hearing on a revised draft of the Study dated December 1991. The commission again
made changes to the draft Study and forwarded a revised document dated January, 1992
to the City Council.
J. Notice was provided to the Land Conservation and Development Commission
on January 7, 1992 concerning the draft Study. Notice was also provided to the Planning
Directors of the City of Springfield and Lane County.
K. The Lane County Planning Commission conducted a work session on the
draft Study on February 4, 1992 and a public hearing thereon on February 18, 1992.
Following the close of the public hearing the Lane County Planning Commission
recommended approval of the Draft January 1992 Eugene Commercial Lands Study.
L. work sessions on the draft Study were held by the Eugene City Council on
March 2, 1992 and the Lane County $oard of Commissioners on March 17, 1992. Dn
March 18, 1992, the Lane County Board of County Commissioners had first reading
thereon.
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M. The Eugene City Council and the Lane County Board of Commissioners
conducted a joint public hearing on the draft Study on April S, 192.
N. The Eugene Commercial Lands Study is a refinement of the Eugene-
Spring~ield Metropolitan Area General Plan for the Eugene portion of the Urban Growth
Boundary. The Study is consistent with the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General
Plan, as acknowledged by LCDC, and consequently this Study conforms to applicable
statewide planning goals. The Study carries out the policy directives in the Metro Plan ta:
(a} "Conduct a Commercial Lands Study prior to the next major plan
update." Refer to Policy 27, page III-B-6.}
fib} "Review local ordinances and revise them tv promote greater
flexibility for promoting appropriate commercial development in residential
neighborhoods," Refer to Policy 1$, page III-B-6.}
~c} "Increase the amount of undeveloped land zoned far light
industrial and commercial uses correlating the effective supply in terms of
suitability and availability with the projections of demand." (Policy 6, page
III-B-S, }
0. Adoption of the Eugene Commercial Lands Study will provide greater policy
direction concerning commercial development in the Eugene portion of the Urban Growth
Boundary, The policies will guide future land use decisions and potential changes to
regulatory measures affecting commercial land.
NGW, THEREFCIRE,
THE CITY OF EUGENE DGES GRDAIN AS FGLLGWS:
Section 1. Based on the above findings, which are adopted herein, and subject to
the limitations hereinafter set forth in Sections 3 and 4, the Eugene Commercial Lands
Study attached as Exhibit A hereto and incorporated herein by reference, including the
Policies set forth therein, is hereby adapted as a refinement of the Eugene-Springfield
Metropolitan Area General Plan for the Eugene portion of the Urban Growth Boundary.
Section 2. The City Council adopts as additional findings, the supporting text,
maps, graphs, and tables contained in the attached Eugene Commercial Lands Study, and
the appendix to the Study.
Section 3, The implementation strategies set forth in the Study are recognized as
potential ideas on how to address the policies.
Section 4. The list of Planning Commission Implementation Priorities set forth in
the Study is recognized as providing direction for implementation activities, though it is
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recognized that project complexity and budget constraints may affect the City's ability to
implement specific projects.
Passed by the City Council this
11th day of May, 1992
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City Record r
Approved by the Mayor this
11th day of May, 1992
ayor
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DRAFT copy of January,1992 "Eugene Commercial Lands Study" not incXuded in f~1e; it
is on fide and available by written request to the City Recorder's 4ff~ce.