Attachment C <br />A ft, <br />= <br />\ <br />Planning <br />Memorandum <br />Date: July 27, 2015 <br />To: Eugene Planning Commission <br />From: Heather O'Donnell, Planning Division <br />Subject: Staff Response to Testimony/Planning Commission - <br />Rest-Haven Memorial Park Metro Plan Amendment & Zone Change applications <br />(City files MA 15-1, Z 15-1) <br />This memo addresses major themes that have been raised by the Planning Commission or in public <br />testimony at the July 14, 2015 public hearing. The issues are identified in bold below, followed by staff <br />responses. <br />1. Open Space/ Park Availability <br />The Planning Commission asked several questions regarding the availability of parks in the area in light of <br />the proposed re-designation. As the Planning Commission deliberates on this matter, it's important to <br />keep the following factors in mind: <br />• The objective of Goal 8 (Recreational Needs) is "to satisfy the recreational needs of the citizens of <br />the state and visitors..." As noted in the draft findings, the primary objective is to provide <br />recreational facilities in the non-urban areas of the state. Further, the state does not require cities <br />to establish an inventory of recreational land/facilities, as is required for residential and <br />employment lands. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that Goal 8 speaks at a very broad <br />level. <br />• The PROS plan has two distinct pieces; the Comprehensive Plan and the Project and Priority Plan. <br />Only the Project and Priority Plan is adopted, however, it was adopted essentially as a financial <br />tool related to Park System Development Charges (SDC's). While this plan does show a need in <br />the vicinity of the subject property, staff agrees with the applicant that this plan was not adopted <br />as a land use plan, and therefore, cannot be relied upon in making findings of compliance for this <br />land use application. Staff would recommend the findings under Goal 8 be revised as follows to <br />make this clear (new text in italic): <br />Goal 8 - Recreational Needs. To satisfy the recreational needs of the citizens of the state and <br />visitors, and where appropriate, to provide for the siting of necessary recreational facilities <br />including destination resorts. <br />Goal 8 ensures the provision of recreational facilities to Oregon citizens and is primarily <br />concerned with the provision of those facilities in non-urban areas of the state. Goal 8 also <br />allows, but does not require, the City to create an inventory of recreational needs. To the <br />extent that Goal 8 is applicable, the City has two documents related to long-range parks <br />planning: the Parks, Recreational and Open Space Comprehensive Plan (PROS) and its list of <br />implementing projects in the PROS Project and Priority Plan. Only the Project and Priority <br />Plan has been adopted however, it was not adopted as a land use plan. Therefore it cannot be <br />used as a basisfor determining compliance with the applicable criteria in this case. <br />Acknowledging this limitation, the City has consulted these documents and determined the <br />following: <br />City of Eugene • 99 W. 10th Ave. • Eugene, OR 97401 • 541-682-5481 • 541-682-5572 Fax <br />www.eugene-or.gov/planning <br />PC Agenda - Page 19 <br />