<br /> <br /> <br />RRSC Plan & Code Changes Page 3 of 4 <br />Bishow Testimony November 28, 2023 <br />standards related to building walls and window coverage will apply to all new buildings <br />and all building additions on properties zoned C-2. <br /> <br />The staff report for the Eugene Planning Commission’s November 14 meeting included <br />Rowell Brokaw’s evaluation of draft code standards to require a minimum of 80% of the <br />street facing ground floor building façade to be built within the maximum front yard <br />setback and new Building Articulation standards. Rowell Brokaw stated , “The 80 <br />percent frontage requirement precludes street-facing courtyard spaces that have proven <br />successful in other commercial districts and would meet the overall goals of activated, <br />pedestrian-oriented commercial development. . .It is our experience that Building <br />Articulation standards . . . add complexity to development but do not prevent bad desi gn. <br />They often work against the stated goal of the code to promote “cohesive architecture <br />that is visually appealing.” We recommend eliminating this section.” The revisions to <br />the draft code standards did not address these concerns. <br /> <br />Draft Code Amendments are Not Consistent with Envision Eugene <br /> <br />According to EC 9.8065, a code amendment shall be consistent with applicable statewide <br />planning goals, comprehensive plan, and adopted refinement plan. <br /> <br />In testimony dated October 3, 2023, I outlined why the draft code amendments are NOT <br />consistent with Statewide Planning Goal s and the draft RRSC Plan. In addition, the draft code <br />amendments are NOT consistent with Envision Eugene Comprehensive Plan. The Plan states, <br />“New land use plans and changes to the City’s land use code and land use plans must be <br />consistent with the policies in the Envision Eugene Comprehensive Plan.” (page I-3) <br /> <br />The draft code amendments are not consistent with the policies below on page ED-4. <br /> <br />Policy 3.5 Business retention and expansion. Facilitate the retention and growth of <br />existing businesses in the community. <br /> <br />Policy 3.6 Responsible economic development. Support economic development <br />initiatives that reflect long -term priorities, improve community resilience to climate <br />change and natural hazards, improve energy efficiency or reduce greenhouse gas <br />emissions, and enhance opportunities to borrow, rent, or otherwise make better use of <br />underutilized public and private assets. <br /> <br />Policy 3.7 Home-based and microenterprises. Promote the development of small, <br />locally-owned businesses that have minimal adverse impacts on their surrounding <br />neighborhoods. <br /> <br />The draft code amendments will substantially increase the cost of commercial development and <br />do not support business retention and expansion. The draft code amendments impose building <br />43