Planning Commission

AGENDA EUGENE PLANNING COMMISSION McNutt Room, City Hall Phone: 541‐682‐5481 777 Peal Street www.eugene‐or.gov/pc Eugene, OR 97401 The Eugene Planning Commission welcomes your interest in these agenda items. Feel free to come and go as you please at any of the meetings. This meeting location is wheelchair‐accessible. For the hearing impaired, FM assistive‐listening devices are available or an interpreter can be provided with 48 hours notice prior to the meeting. Spanish‐language interpretation will also be provided with 48 hours notice. To arrange for these services, contact the receptionist at 541‐682‐5481. Telecommu nications devices for deaf assistance are available at 541‐682‐5119. MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2011 – REGULAR MEETING (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) 11:30 a.m. I. PUBLIC COMMENT The Planning Commission reserves 10 minutes at the beginning of this meeting for public comment. The public may comment on any matter, except for items scheduled for public hearing or public hearing items for which the record has already closed. Generally, the time limit for p ublic comment is three minutes; however, the Planning Commission reserves the option to reduce the time allowed each speaker based on the number of people requesting to speak. 11:40 a.m. II. MULTIPLE UNIT PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION (MUPTE) Staff: Nan Laurence, 541‐682‐5340 12:25 p.m. III. ENVISION EUGENE: SOUTH WILLAMETTE Staff: Patricia Thomas, 541‐682‐5561 1:15 p.m. IV. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF A. Other Items from Staff B. Other Items from Commission Commissioners: Heidi Beierle; Jonathan Belcher; Rick Duncan; Randy Hledik, Vice Chair; Jeffery Mills, Chair; William Randall; Lisa Warnes PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 2  AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY October 10, 2011 To: Eugene Planning Commission From: Lisa Gardner and Carolyn Weiss, City of Eugene Planning Division Nan Laurence, City of Eugene Community Development Division Subject: Envision Eugene and MUPTE ACTION REQUESTED This work session provides the Planning Commission with an update and opportunity to comment on a proposed strategy for determining priority areas for the Multi‐Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) program in the context of Envision Eugene, for property outside of the Downtown Plan area. BRIEFING STATEMENT The MUPTE program is enabled by state legislation and designed to encourage higher density housing and redevelopment in the core area and along transit corridors. The program provides a ten‐year property tax exemption on qualified improvements; the land remains taxed during the exemption period. Currently the MUPTE program applies to downtown and adjacent areas to the south and west, and in the Trainsong neighborhood. Attachment A shows the current map and indicates where MUPTE has been used. The ordinance enabling the MUPTE program for this area has a sunset date of 2012. This fall, council took action to extend only the Downtown Plan area past the ordinance sunset date of 1/1/12, extending the program to 1/1/22 (See Attachment B, Downtown Plan area). Council also directed staff to discuss a process for consideration of other priority areas for MUPTE as part of Envision Eugene implementation. The Envision Eugene Draft Proposal identifies several strategies calling for more compact urban development and multi‐family housing, and specifically focusing new development and redevelopment on key transit corridors and in core commercial areas. The insights gleaned from the intensive visioning phase of Envision Eugene have highlighted the need for incentives to help attract development to the targeted areas, to overcome market challenges, and to provide for adaptable, flexible, and collaborative implementation. Council’s recent action to continue the MUPTE program for the Downtown Plan area implements an Envision Eugene pillar by promoting compact urban development. For areas outside of downtown, MUPTE similarly represents a potentially effective and flexible incentive to encourage housing and residential mixed use development in desired locations. Corridor Concept The six primary transit corridors identified through Envision Eugene as well as property within one‐ quarter mile of a fixed route transit service along the corridor could be eligible for MUPTE under state eligibility rules (see Attachment C for a map of the six corridors.) The corridor concept provides 1 PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 3 a broad spectrum of possibilities for application of the MUPTE program. With the most limited application, MUPTE could apply only along certain corridors or limited property along that corridor, such as only commercially zoned property facing a major street. With the most inclusive application, MUPTE could apply along all corridors and appropriately zoned property within the quarter mile. Another option would include property only after an area plan has been completed or where development potential is evident. Proposed Strategy Based on insights from the analysis completed as part of Envision Eugene and from City Council discussion, staff considered each corridor in terms of development potential and the need for financial incentives. Staff also considered any recent area planning as a way to address compatibility issues and other areas of neighborhood concern. Staff proposes that three corridors be considered for MUPTE this fall, as indicated below. Staff will present this proposal to City Council at a work session scheduled for October 12, 2011. Feedback from Planning Commission on this proposal will be included in the presentation to council. • South Willamette/Midtown South Willamette is in the process of public engagement for an area plan to pilot the Envision Eugene area planning strategy, including identification of opportunities for dense housing. On October 3, a South Willamette design workshop was held, a significant first step toward urban design planning of one of the areas to see how it can accommodate the growth over the next 20 years. • Franklin Boulevard Franklin Boulevard was the focus of recent area planning culminating in the Walnut Station Area Plan. This plan involved property owners, residents, business owners, and representatives from the University and was adopted by council in 2010. The plan addresses desired form and density through a Special Area Zone and form‐based code. • Trainsong/6th/7th Trainsong and the 6th/7th corridor have not been part of a recent area planning process. Development potential in this area is less evident. However, this is an area that was eligible for MUPTE previously, and was identified during council discussion as one that could benefit from MUPTE in the future. Area planning could occur in the future as staff resources allow. Each of these areas, shown on Attachment D, requires additional analysis and public involvement to determine which properties should be covered by the MUPTE program. The decision needs to include measures for enhancing and protecting community livability while increasing the desired multi‐family housing and mixed use projects for each area. West University may also be included for consideration based on council direction from the upcoming work session. 2 PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 4 NEXT STEPS On October 12th, staff will discuss the proposal for MUPTE outside of the Downtown Plan area at a council work session. Any feedback from Planning Commission on this issue will be presented at that time. Based on direction from council at the meeting on October 12, staff will continue the analysis and public engagement process as part of Envision Eugene and provide updates to the Planning Commission on this topic. FOR MORE INFORMATION Lisa Gardner, Planning Director, 541‐682‐5208 or lisa.a.gardner@ci.eugene.or.us Carolyn Weiss, Long Range Planning Manager, 541‐682‐8816 or carolyn.j.weiss@ci.eugene.or.us Nan Laurence, Senior Planner, 541‐682‐5340 or nan.laurence@ci.eugene.or.us ATTACHMENTS A. MUPTE boundaries and projects B. Downtown Plan boundary C. Envision Eugene Key Transit Corridors D. Proposed Priority Corridor for Analysis 3 PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 5 PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 6  At tac hmentA PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 7  Attachment B Map 2.945(2) W 2nd Ave ge Z Day Island Rd E 2nd Ave id Skinners Butte Lp Br et St re W 3rd Ave E 3rd Ave Mill St ry Shelto Fe r n M c mu rphey Blvd W 4th Ave High St E 4th Ave Pearl St Charnelton St Willamette St W 5th Ave E 5th Ave Oak St W 6th Ave W 7th Ave Olive St Ferry St W Park St W 8th Ave E 8th Ave E 8th Ave E 8th Ave e E Park St Av Lincoln St h 8t E S Park St W Broadway E Broadway E Broadway Ferry Ln Willamette St W 10th Ave E 10th Ave Oak St Pearl St High St W 11th Ave E 11th Ave Mill St Hilyard St W 12th Ave E 12th Ave Patterson St W 13th Ave E 13th Ave Ferry St E 13th Ave Willamette St Alder St Lincoln St W 14th Ave E 14th Ave Feet 0 500 City of Eugene - August 4, 2011 Planning and Development Department - Community Development Division PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 8 Caution: This map is based on imprecise source data, subject to change and for general reference only.  At tac hmentC PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 9  At tac hmentD PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 10  AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY October 10, 2011 To: Eugene Planning Commission From: Patricia Thomas, City of Eugene Planning Division Subject: South Willamette Pilot Update ACTION REQUESTED This work session is informational only, and no action is requested at this time. BRIEFING STATEMENT The Planning Commission’s last update on the South Willamette Pilot was on June 27, 2011, as part of an update on Opportunity Siting (OS). Work on the South Willamette pilot began as a process to locate good sites for dense housing, and has expanded to respond to Envision Eugene and to the broad planning interests of the participants – business people, property owners, residents and patrons of the area. The pilot is planning for a more vibrant, walkable and successful business and living district that offers attractive and safe options for traveling into and through the area. The pilot project will result in a district “Area Plan”, or a physical design for the area showing a desired, future condition using illustrations, diagrams and images to convey the vision. Area planning is one of the strategies proposed through Envision Eugene to facilitate the transformation of key transit corridors and core commercial areas to accommodate more of the city’s commercial and multi‐family housing needs. Current Activities On October 3, 2011, an interactive design workshop was held with approximately 40 property owners, business people, residents, staff and other interested people to formulate ideas for the future of this area. Photos and summary information from the workshop will be shared at the work session. Staff are beginning to formulate a draft Area Plan based on workshop products and other information for review by the community. In July, the City was awarded approximately $150,000 from the Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) program to develop a “concept street design” for Willamette Street from 24th to 32nd Avenues. The work will include pre‐engineering design and a robust public outreach process. The Area Plan will provide a basis for designing Willamette Street to meet the needs of the changing neighborhood. A web site is devoted to updates on South Willamette. Recent newsletters as well as a display of UO Architecture student ideas for South Willamette, a video and a survey of opinions about development are located at the following link: www.eugene-or.gov/oppsiting FOR MORE INFORMATION Patricia Thomas, 541‐682‐5561 or patricia.thomas@ci.eugene.or.us. 1 PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 11 PC AIS October 10, 2011 - Page 12