plans serve different functions and do not appear to conflict. A statement was added to the Neighborhood <br />Plan that should the two plans be found to conflict, the new Neighborhood Plan controls. <br />The second part of our deliberations was focused on the Neighborhood -Specific Code Amendments. Instead of <br />the originally envisioned Special Area Zone, the code amendments bring forward a limited set of changes that <br />reflect the highest priority pieces of the draft Special Area Zone: reducing building height in the C-2 <br />Community Commercial zone from 120 to 65 feet; prohibiting the establishment of certain new auto -oriented <br />land uses in the C-2 zone; and adding building design standards in the C-2 zone to improve the pedestrian <br />experience in the corridor. The proposed code also allows for the small-scale display and sale of agricultural <br />products grown offsite in the R-1 Low Density Residential zone. <br />The Commission had lengthy conversations and delved deep into several issues while deliberating on the <br />proposed C-2 and R-1 land use code changes. On the one hand, these amendments carry forward important <br />aspects of the input gathered at design workshops and community events over the life of the project. <br />Pedestrian scale buildings and a shift to fewer auto -oriented land uses and toward more neighborhood serving <br />retail uses were repeatedly expressed as high community priorities. <br />On the other hand, Commissioners discussed the worsening housing crisis, and shift toward citywide <br />implementation tools as reasons not to support the neighborhood -specific C-2 code amendments. In response <br />to concerns from property owners and businesses about the code amendments limiting auto -oriented uses, <br />especially from existing businesses along River Avenue, the Commission recommended carving that area out of <br />the code amendments that would limit certain uses. The carve -out was suggested by staff as a way to <br />recognize the industrial -commercial nature of the River Avenue area, while still shifting the character of the <br />River Road corridor and other C-2 zoned areas toward more walkable mixed use development. Ultimately the <br />Commission voted 4-3 to recommend the C-2 and R-1 code amendments to City Council. <br />It is our honor to provide such a meaningful service to our community and it is our hope that our commitment <br />to the Neighborhood Plan goals along with the City's overall goals, and diligent approach to our review, show <br />in the Plan and Code amendments we formally recommend you approve. We trust that the new Neighborhood <br />Plan and proposed code amendments will serve the City well and will be integrated into citywide planning <br />work that is set to launch early in 2024. <br />