Hearings Official Decision - Laserfiche WebLink

zone have been determined to be consistent with the RP Study and, accordingly, the Metro Plan. Others argue that recreational fields are incompatible with Metro Plan Policy D.6 because they could be developed with artificial turf, which they argue would necessarily be incompatible with the river’s environmental qualities and inconsistent with the purpose of the S-RP zone. Others argued that if the recreational fields are developed with lighting, that lighting would compromise the river’s natural and scenic qualities. As stated above, the applicant has not proposed to develop any recreational fields at this time, and has not identified the type of turf that may be proposed if and when the UO proposes to develop those fields. The requested Master Plan depicts that the applicant has identified the area between the 200-foot setback and the railroad tracks as the location for replacement and additional recreational fields. At such time as those fields are proposed for development, the applicant would be required to establish compliance with all applicable development standards. If lighting is proposed for the fields, the applicant would be required to comply with the city’s outdoor lighting permit standards. Regardless of the materials used on the fields, the development would be required to comply with stormwater site development standards. However, as a use that is allowed in the S-RP zone, and that implements the SR Study refinement plan, the recreational fields identified in the Master Plan are compatible with Metro Plan Policy D.6. Environmental Design Element E.2. Natural vegetation, natural water features, and drainage-ways shall be protected and retained to the maximum extent practical. Landscaping shall be utilized to enhance those natural features. This policy does not preclude increasing their conveyance capacity in an environmentally responsible manner. E.4. Public and private facilities shall be designed and located in a manner that preserves and enhances desirable features of local and neighborhood areas and promotes their sense of identity. E.5. Carefully develop sites that provide visual diversity to the urban area and optimize their visual and personal accessibility to residents. As noted above, the requested Master Plan includes a 200-foot setback from the river to any future development within the North Campus. This setback greatly exceeds the 100-foot setback required in the city’s code. This setback ensures 23 acres of conservation along the river to protect and retain the river’s natural vegetation. The Master Plan also provides an additional seven acres for expanded riparian restoration adjacent to the river through removal of up to 20- feet of existing fill and grading the bank to a more natural slope. It also includes a similar 200- foot setback around the Millrace outfall to protect that area as a significant water feature in the southern portion of the property. As further described above, the Master Plan commits the area between the railroad tracks and Willamette River primarily to conservation and open space opportunities and concentrates most of the potential building development south of the railroad tracks. Two bike path options are Hearings Official Decision (CU 18-1; WG 18-2) 8