Hearings Official Decision - Laserfiche WebLink

and was recently acquired by the City. It is developed with an abandoned steam plant and warehouse. It is zoned for commercial and residential development. C. Description of Request The applicant has submitted a Master Plan for the 77.4 acres that comprise the UO North Campus and S-RP Riverfront Park Special Area Zone. Under the city’s code, development within the S-RP zone must be in accordance with an approved Master Plan, and that Master Plan must be approved through a conditional use process, with criteria specifically defined for the S- RP zone. The proposed Master Plan commits the UO to specific conservation areas, types of development that may occur, and areas where development may potentially occur on the property. However, the requested Master Plan does not seek approval for any specific development. Rather, as required under the prescribed process, the Master Plan establishes an overarching conceptual plan for the area, including uses that the applicant anticipates seeking to develop over time. At the time each use is proposed, that proposed development would be subject to applicable development standards then in effect. Because of the conceptual nature of the Master Plan, the applicant has requested that the Master Plan be in effect for 30 years. As noted above, the Union Pacific Railroad runs through the property and effectively divides the property into two areas. Of the 77.4 acres within the North Campus, approximately 42 acres are north of the railroad and border the Willamette River to the north; and approximately 35 acres are south of the railroad, bordering Franklin Blvd to the south. The requested Master Plan commits the area north of the railroad tracks primarily to conservation and open space, and concentrates most of the potential building development to the area south of the railroad tracks. The application narrative explains that prior to the UO’s ownership of the subject property, the area adjacent to the Willamette River was used for industrial purposes. This area contains up to 20-feet of fill, causing a steep river bank. As depicted on Exhibit A of the application (Plan Set, Sheets S01-C-03), the Master Plan includes enhancement of the Willamette River bank with restoration of the riparian area adjacent to the river, including filling and grading the bank for a more natural slope, and providing riparian restoration area and a 200-foot setback from the top of bank. The Plan also identifies two bike path options along the Willamette River; one would retain the existing pathway and the other would shift the path further from the riverbank to allow for a larger riparian area enhancement. Of the 42 acres between the railroad tracks and the Willamette River, the Master Plan commits 80% of the area for conservation and other open space, up to 15% for recreational fields, and the remaining 4% for buildings. The proposed Master Plan concentrates most of the building development to the area south of the railroad tracks, and restricts vehicle circulation and parking primarily to that area. Building development identified in that area includes a parking structure near the Riverfront Parkway. That parking structure would provide parking for the adjacent Knight Campus, which is located outside the S-RP zone. In addition, the Plan identifies two additional pedestrian and bicycle bridge crossings over the Millrace and the railroad tracks to facilitate accessibility to and from the site. D. Procedural Challenges Hearings Official Decision (CU 18-1; WG 18-2) 4