PC Agenda Packet 3.14.2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Attachment 1 scenic, and environmental qualities of the Willamette River as required by Goal 15 and Metro Plan Policy D.5. These include Greenway Setback requirements, native landscape buffer requirements, tree preservation standards, and limitations on walls and fencing that will apply if an applicant chooses to follow the clear and objective review track. Taken together with the tree preservation requirements added to the City's existing discretionary track approval criteria, these Code Amendments are consistent with Metro Plan Policy D.5. D.6 New industrial development that locates along the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers shall enhance natural, scenic, and environmental qualities. The Willamette River Greenway Code Amendments do not relate the above policy concerning industrial development along the Willamette River. Therefore, Metro Plan Policy D.6 does not apply. D.7 Potential public access points in rural agricultural areas shall be carefully reviewed to ensure preservation of the Willamette River Greenway environment, with special emphasis on problems of vandalism and trespass. The Willamette River Greenway Code Amendments do not relate the above policy concerning rural agricultural areas which only exist outside of Eugene's Urban Growth Boundary. Therefore, Metro Plan Policy D.7 does not apply. D.8 Within the framework of mandatory statewide planning goals, local Willamette River Greenway plans shall allow a variety of means for public enjoyment of the river, including public acquisition areas, residential areas, and commercial areas. The Willamette River Greenway Code Amendments are consistent with this policy as demonstrated in previous findings of compliance with applicable Statewide Planning Goals (see findings of compliance according to the approval criterion for these Code Amendments at EC 9.8065(1) above). The Code Amendments include provisions that balance the allowance for uses according to existing zoning and plan designations (including residential and commercial areas as noted in the policy), with protections afforded under the Greenway compatibility review requirements of Goal 15. Applicants for Willamette River Greenway Permits will be able to utilize the new clear and objective Greenway standards for proposed housing development if they so choose, whereas commercial development will require review according to the discretionary track approval standards. In addition to allowing these uses (subject to Willamette River Greenway Permit approval) as a means for public enjoyment of the river, the Code Amendments also include standards for access to the river and adjacent public lands within the Greenway consistent with Metro Plan Policy D.8. D.9 Local and state governments shall continue to provide adequate public access to the Willamette River Greenway. As addressed above regarding the public access requirements of Goal 15, Eugene has cooperated with Springfield and Lane County over the years in the development of a bicycle-pedestrian trail system that extends along the Greenway from south of Springfield to north of Eugene and into the River Road area. This system includes five bike bridges across the river. The City Council finds that the many public access points to the Willamette River and the portion of the Willamette River Greenway located within the City of Eugene are shown on the map titled Willamette Greenway Public Access Points, which is adopted and incorporated in support of these findings as noted previously (see Attachment B). The Willamette River Greenway Code Amendments include access standards in the new clear and objective standards for the review of proposed housing development, to ensure compliance with the requirements of Goal 15 as well as Metro Plan Policy D.9 above, by requiring pedestrian pathways within development sites toward the river, and in some instances public accessways that will connect beyond the development site to existing public ways that provide access to and Page 29 of 125 24