1. INTRODUCTION <br />The Lower River Road Concept Plan is the final report for the conceptual planning phase of the <br />City of Eugene's Rasor Mixed Use Center planning process. This phase of planning began in <br />2007 thanks to a Transportation Growth Management grant from the Oregon Department of <br />Transportation. <br />Planning for higher density mixed-use centers, and also for improved transit, are key strategies <br />adopted by Eugene to implement its growth management and transportation planning policies. <br />The mixed-use center approach aims to create compact, livable, walkable neighborhoods with <br />convenient access to services and transit. When combined with improved transit, mixed-use <br />centers will slow sprawl and reduce reliance on automobile travel. <br />Lower River Road was identified in the regional transportation master plan, TransPlan (2001), <br />as one of dozens of potential areas for mixed-use redevelopment. In 2002, with the support of <br />the River Road Community Organization (RRCO) board, this area was made a priority for more <br />detailed planning. River Road Community Organization leaders noted the challenges of this <br />planning process, but also the opportunities presented by this area, and the desirability and <br />importance of area-specific planning for this zone. <br />Initially, this phase of planning referred to the study area as the Rasor Park Mixed Use Center. <br />After subsequent public process, the study area was expanded to include commercial and <br />residential zones on both sides of the lower River Road corridor between the Northwest <br />Expressway and E. Hillcrest Dr. Reference the project area map on page 5. <br />To guide this phase of planning, a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was established in <br />2007, and expanded in 2008. After extensive rounds of committee meetings and public <br />workshops (see section 1.2 for more details of the public involvement and committee process), <br />a majority of the committee in attendance (6 of 8) voted at the final May 28, 2009 committee <br />meeting to approve the following statement: <br />"The CAC supports the overall vision, Willamette Greenway natural resource planning, <br />sustainability concepts, transportation improvements, concept code and development <br />standards; objectives, and implementation strategies outlined within the Lower River <br />Road Concept Plan." <br />Certainly the committee had vigorous debate about some elements, and divergence of opinion <br />on various aspects. Within the community and among other stakeholders, too, there are <br />varying viewpoints and philosophies about the overall planning process, and elements of the <br />Concept Plan. There are disputes about growth projections or the desirability of planning at all. <br />Many are concerned about the natural values of the Greenway, and how these can be <br />protected and enhanced if higher density redevelopment occurs on adjacent parcels. Some <br />believe that this planning process affords an important opportunity to adopt additional <br />requirements that are necessary to protect the Greenway. Others see this planning as inviting <br />