<br />The proposed code amendments create a new special area zone, the South Willamette Special Area <br />Zone (S-SW), and are therefore subject to the following additional approval criteria at EC 9.3020: <br /> <br />EC 9.3020: Criteria for Establishment of an S Special Area Zone. Before adopting an <br />ordinance establishing an S Special Area Zone, the city council shall find that the proposal is <br />in compliance with following criteria: <br />(1) The area to which the S Special Area Zone is being applied meets at least one of the <br />following criteria: <br />(a) Is identified in the Metro Planor a refinement plan as appropriate for nodal <br />development or for a special range of uses or development that can best be <br />achieved with the use of a special area zone; or <br />(b)Possesses distinctive buildings or natural features that require special <br />consideration to ensure appropriate development, preservation, or <br />rehabilitation. In order to be considered distinctive, it must be demonstrated <br />that: <br />1. The area is characterized by buildings that merit preservation in order <br />to protect their special features; or <br />2. The area contains natural features that have been identified by the <br />city as worthy of special treatment or preservation. <br /> <br />As a newly designated Multi-Modal Mixed-Use Area as part of the proposed plan and code <br />amendments, the area will be identified as being appropriate for a special range of uses and <br />development that is best achieved through adoption of the S-SW zone. The concurrent amendments <br />therefore comply with the requirement of EC 9.3020(1)(a), above. <br /> <br />(2) An analysis of the area demonstrates how the uses and development standards of <br />the S Special Area zone ordinance will facilitate implementation of the planned use <br />of the property or the preservation or rehabilitation of distinctive buildings or natural <br />features of benefit to the community. <br /> <br />The proposed amendments comply with this requirement as evidenced by the extensive land use <br />planning analysis and various supporting reports and recommendations developed as part of the <br />South Willamette Concept Plan, which in turn, led to development of the formal plan and code <br />amendments concurrently proposed as part of this adoption package. Approval of the proposed <br />adoption package will facilitate implementation of the planned mix of uses within the S-SW zone. <br /> <br />(3) Except for areas zoned S-H Historic Special Area zone, the area to be classified S <br />Special Area includes at least ½ acre in area. <br /> <br />The area affected by these amendments is roughly 122 acres, well above the minimum threshold of ½ <br />acre noted above. <br /> <br />(4) The application of the zone to the properties proposed for inclusion in the S Special <br />Area zone and the required provisions of a special area zone ordinance are consistent <br />Findings - 19 <br />