East Campus University of Oregon (CA 25-02, RA 25-01, Z 25-03) <br />Findings Page 22 of 36February 2026 <br /> <br /> <br />(e) A change of circumstances in a substantial manner that was not <br />anticipated at the time the refinement plan was adopted. <br />The Council finds that the Refinement Plan Amendment is appropriate under several of the <br />criteria in EC 9.8424(2) as described below. <br />1. EC 9.8424(2)(c) community policies <br />In 2023, the University of Oregon began the process of updating its internal development <br />policies for the East Campus area in response to observation of an immediate need to build <br />additional student housing based on current demand. The University found that its future <br />student housing development needs could not be met without amending the policies that <br />define allowed uses and development standards applicable to University-owned lands, <br />including both City requirements and the University’s internal development guidance. This <br />process resulted in the University’s adoption of the East Campus Area Plan in December, 2024. <br />The term “community policy” is not defined in Eugene Code Section 9.0500, Definitions, nor is <br />the term referenced in any other section of the Land Use Code. For purposes of the Refinement <br />Plan Amendment, the City Council finds that the University’s internal East Campus Area Plan <br />constitutes a community policy. The unique confluence between the Fairmount/University of <br />Oregon Special Area Study and the East Campus Area Plan is alluded to in the “The University of <br />Oregon Lands: Description and Statement of the Problem” section of the Fairmount/University <br />of Oregon Special Area Study, as amended by Ordinance No. 20312: <br />“In September 2003, the University submitted an application to <br />amend the 1982 Fairmount/University of Oregon Special Area <br />Study for the purpose of incorporating changes in the plan made <br />necessary by the University’s adoption of the 2003 East Campus <br />Development Policy. Commenting on the application, the <br />Fairmount Neighborhood Association expressed concerns about <br />the effectiveness of the proposed East Campus Development Policy <br />in mitigating the impacts of University development on the <br />surrounding neighborhood. The association subsequently <br />commissioned the Fairmount Neighborhood Association East <br />Campus Committee (Committee) to represent the neighborhood <br />interests in the public hearing process. The Committee submitted <br />testimony commenting on each of the University’s individual <br />proposals. While the Committee expressed support for many of <br />the ideas and proposals put forth in the application, they also <br />suggested modifications to certain policies or plan text and <br />replacements or additions to other policies and text. <br />“Following the public hearing, the City engaged University staff <br />and Committee representatives in a mediation process to seek <br />agreement and resolve differences on the proposed policy and text <br />amendments. Agreement between the University and Committee