Eugene Planning Commission <br />December 16, 2015 <br />Page 8 <br />For purposes of applying this statute, the question is whether the 19 Lot Rule is susceptible to <br />alternative interpretations, including one that would approve the use and one that would deny <br />the use. The issue under the statute is not about the right interpretation. <br />As discussed in the first assignment, we have that situation here. One interpretation is the "get <br />out" interpretation, and the other is the "go around" interpretation. We think the "get out" <br />meaning is right, but both are plausible. Both being plausible, however, is fatal to applying the <br />standard at all, because it is not clear and objective. <br />The Group B decision from Corvallis is the most recent example of how this works. It is <br />discussed more fully in the Final Argument, at pages 8-9, 11, 13. The essentials, however, are <br />that a relevant standard there was ambiguous and could be interpreted to either allow or <br />disallow the project. LUBA held, therefore, that it could not be applied at all. LUBA said: <br />However, because the proposal is needed housing located on inventoried <br />buildable lands, ORS 197.307(4) prohibits the city from applying any unclear or <br />subjective standards or conditions to approve or deny the proposed needed <br />housing. [Group B at 15] <br />A condition that requires such interpretation, to determine whether proposed <br />needed housing is allowed at all, is not a "clear and objective" standard or <br />condition within the meaning of ORS 197.307(4)." [Group B at 11 line 10] <br />The city council found that Condition 12 is an approval standard for the <br />proposed development, and that the applicant must either satisfy Condition 12 or <br />demonstrate that a modification of Condition 12 is warranted under the <br />compatibility standards at LDC 2.5.40.04. [Group B at 9 line 9] <br />Petitioner argues that Condition 12 is not a "clear and objective" standard or <br />condition within the meaning of ORS 197.307(4). [Group B at 9 line 19] <br />We agree with petitioner that Condition 12 is ambiguous and requires <br />interpretation as applied to the proposed development. Condition 12 <br />unambiguously prohibits the location of The Regent building within 135 feet of <br />the south property line of what is now Tract B. However, Condition 12 is <br />ambiguous regarding whether other development is similarly precluded within <br />the area that is now Tract B. [Group B at 10-11] <br />