condominiums in mixed-use buildings (above commercial uses) along River Road. Residents will <br />be able to choose from a range of innovative housing types and affordability options, including <br />car-free housing and live/work units. <br />Buildings will be designed to rim and face the public streets and parks, to create an attractive <br />and safe interface. Commercial and residential buildings will be designed to create inter- <br />connected and well-shaped public and social spaces between and beside them, including paths <br />to the river parks. Area residents will enjoy socializing at a keystone public gathering place and <br />services such as a library, community center, neighborhood-scale farmer's market and small <br />grocery will contribute to neighborhood function, an active public realm and street life. <br />Buildings and uses will be appropriate in scale and intensity so as not to overwhelm the natural <br />values of the river setting or adversely impact adjacent residential neighborhoods. Residents <br />and business and property owners will work collaboratively to plan for the area, and to review <br />and discuss specific development proposals. <br />Willamette Greenway and Parks: <br />Healthy, Ecologically Functional Natural Areas: Public park lands within the Greenway and <br />adjacent to the river will be healthy and actively managed natural areas. Many large trees will <br />provide shade and fulfill other important ecological roles (carbon sequestration, air and water <br />filtration, etc.) Native trees, shrubs, tall grasses, and wildflowers will provide the habitat <br />needed to support a healthy population and diversity of native species (birds, butterflies, etc.) <br />that rely on the riparian and associated upland corridor. <br />Buffer, Refuge and People Space: Greenway parks will serve as a buffer and screen between <br />higher density development and the River, and as relatively undeveloped zones to mitigate the <br />impacts of the higher density development nearby. They will also serve as a refuge for <br />residents from the bustle and noise of the street and commercial areas, and as a place for <br />walking and quiet contemplation. A few simple, rustic "amenities" will help people enjoy the <br />parks for passive recreation and appreciation of nature and river habitat. The parks will provide <br />children with a place for unstructured exploration and play, and a rare place to experience <br />nature in the urban environment. People will continue to enjoy the West Bank bike trail for <br />active recreation, and will also enjoy participating in restoration activities in the Greenway <br />parks. <br />Public Access: Pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to get to the West Bank bike trail from <br />River Road at multiple convenient and inviting entry points. Commercial areas along lower <br />River Road will be easily accessible from the river parks and trail system. <br />Development Adjacent to Greenway Parks: The natural character and ecological values of the <br />river corridor will be visually and functionally extended throughout the Willamette Greenway <br />via conservation easements and native and naturalistic landscaping on commercial and <br />residential property and public rights-of-way. Trees and landscaping will provide habitat <br />corridors and reinforce the visual sense of this area as a special place adjacent to the river. <br />