Envision Eugene -- Capacity map for JWN now posted!
| For additional information, see the June 2011 JWN Newsletter Listen to the informative JWN Envision Eugene Panel |
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Jefferson Westside Neighbors
INTRODUCTION
The Envision Eugene process will determine a new Eugene-only Urban Growth Boundary
(UGB). It will define the nature of residential, industrial and commercial development inside
this new boundary. Indirectly, Envision Eugene decisions are likely to also affect development,
particularly housing, in such communities as Junction City, Veneta and Creswell.
Envision Eugene was preceded by the "Eugene Comprehensive Lands Assessment" (ECLA)
which ran from summer 2008 until April 2010. ECLA produced an analysis of current land
capacity and projected land needs based on the unrealistic assumption that none of the
historical rates of development would change. The final ECLA report also never resolved
critical flaws in the data and analytic methods used.
To date -- a year and a half after the final ECLA report was submitted -- these issues remain
unresolved in Envision Eugene. Without sound data, analysis and reports (including maps),
neither the public nor City Council can make informed decisions about whether we need to
expand the UGB or how we should approach development within the UGB.
Here are some examples of questions directly relevant to the JWN area:
So far, the Envision Eugene has produced no public information that helps answer such
questions.
Status update
City Council accepted the City Manager's draft recommendation on March 9, 2011. (Council
rejected the City Manager's suggestion that Council "adopt" the recommendations, and chose
instead to only "accept" his report.)
Read the March 2 City Manager draft proposal.
Read the JWN Chair's testimony at City Council public hearing, February 22, 2011.
Read the "Neighborhood Livability" letter signed by over 60 neighborhood leaders.
City "Envision Eugene" Web site.
The "Community Resource Group" met from June 2, 2010 through February 1, 2011. The
group produced no recommendations or agreements on any of the significant issues. The
group never produced or reviewed a "Draft Growth Scenario" as staff had indicated was the
purpose of the CRG.
The CRG "Housing Mix" subgroup met several times, but has failed to reach any agreement
on the appropriate assumptions for the future mix of single-family and multiple-family housing
types. The last meeting for which meeting notes are posted was on February 16, 2011; and
it's not clear whether this group is still active.
The CRG "Technical Resource Group" (TRG) has met numerous times since the CRG ended
its work. The group remains active, but as yet, the TRG has not completed its review and
recommendations regarding all the key technical issues.
It's not clear whether the "Economic Development" group remains active, since no meeting
notes are posted.
View CRG-related documents. (Includes meeting notes for the "Housing Mix" group and TRG).
Upcoming schedule:
View the City's November 2011 to February 2012 Calendar.
Here are key December and January dates (as of November 29):
On November 4, City staff posted the first map showing information about assumed
residential capacity for JWN and other neighborhoods. View JWN capacity map.
Here are some things to know about the map ...
* It doesn't include single-family infill and redevelopment. The assumption for these is about
600 dwellings over twenty years for the entire city. It's hard to estimate the JWN's share of that,
but a WAG would be maybe 20 dwellings plus or minus.
* The bigger "missing pieces" are for multiple-family dwellings. These maps do not include
multiple-family assumptions from either redevelopment (replace an older house or smaller
apartment with a large apartment) or multiple-family development on commercially-zoned
land. The latter assumption might or might not be significant for the south side of W. 7th Ave.
on the northern edge of the JWN.
Here are some documents that provide more details on the assumptions and methodology:
And here's a "work-in-progress" spreadsheet that shows how everything flows. Warning -- this
is for folks comfortable with navigating a spreadsheet.
The latest Envision Eugene calendar shows February 15 as the date for City Council to
consider, and potentially vote on, the "City Manager's Recommendation."
Staff has scheduled "on-line open houses" on "Housing & Public Land", "Industrial Land" and
"Commercial and Multi-Family Development Strategies" to run through December 14.
Capacity assumptions for single-family and multiple-family housing are critical to
understanding the impacts on the JWN that Envision Eugene may lead to. The data and
analysis that underly these assumptions is extensive and complex and may require
substantial time for the JWN Executive Board and JWN members to fully understand, discuss
and then formulate a community-based position and/or recommendations to present to City
Council. There will be limited time between the release of complete residential capacity
information and the City Council public hearing on January 17. There will be only one JWN
general meeting in that time frame.
What's the plan for delivering Envision Eugene results?
on how the Envision Eugene decision process will progress from the point today where
there's essentially very little useful information available to the public to consider, both in
terms of a new UGB and as to the potential impacts on neighborhoods from future residential
and commercial development.
It appears that to understand the "vision" part of Envision Eugene a citizen must rely on his or
her own a crystal ball. Or, as captured in this well-known cartoon ...
The Envision Eugene process will determine a new Eugene-only Urban Growth Boundary
(UGB). It will define the nature of residential, industrial and commercial development inside
this new boundary. Indirectly, Envision Eugene decisions are likely to also affect development,
particularly housing, in such communities as Junction City, Veneta and Creswell.
Envision Eugene was preceded by the "Eugene Comprehensive Lands Assessment" (ECLA)
which ran from summer 2008 until April 2010. ECLA produced an analysis of current land
capacity and projected land needs based on the unrealistic assumption that none of the
historical rates of development would change. The final ECLA report also never resolved
critical flaws in the data and analytic methods used.
To date -- a year and a half after the final ECLA report was submitted -- these issues remain
unresolved in Envision Eugene. Without sound data, analysis and reports (including maps),
neither the public nor City Council can make informed decisions about whether we need to
expand the UGB or how we should approach development within the UGB.
Here are some examples of questions directly relevant to the JWN area:
- What specific area would the "Core Commercial Area" on W. 6th/7th Ave. encompass
and what kinds of use and density changes are envisioned? - What is the assumed housing capacity for the various subareas within the JWN?
- What "area-specific plans" are anticipated for the area between the S-JW zone and
downtown (Lincoln St.)? (This area has a hodge-podge of zones, and there are some
significant code deficiencies that would allow seriously incompatible development in
some locations.) - How does the plan address the Lane Events Center (Fairgrounds)?
- How does the plan address transportation-related issues, including use of and
changes to streets and parking?
So far, the Envision Eugene has produced no public information that helps answer such
questions.
Status update
City Council accepted the City Manager's draft recommendation on March 9, 2011. (Council
rejected the City Manager's suggestion that Council "adopt" the recommendations, and chose
instead to only "accept" his report.)
Read the March 2 City Manager draft proposal.
Read the JWN Chair's testimony at City Council public hearing, February 22, 2011.
Read the "Neighborhood Livability" letter signed by over 60 neighborhood leaders.
City "Envision Eugene" Web site.
The "Community Resource Group" met from June 2, 2010 through February 1, 2011. The
group produced no recommendations or agreements on any of the significant issues. The
group never produced or reviewed a "Draft Growth Scenario" as staff had indicated was the
purpose of the CRG.
The CRG "Housing Mix" subgroup met several times, but has failed to reach any agreement
on the appropriate assumptions for the future mix of single-family and multiple-family housing
types. The last meeting for which meeting notes are posted was on February 16, 2011; and
it's not clear whether this group is still active.
The CRG "Technical Resource Group" (TRG) has met numerous times since the CRG ended
its work. The group remains active, but as yet, the TRG has not completed its review and
recommendations regarding all the key technical issues.
It's not clear whether the "Economic Development" group remains active, since no meeting
notes are posted.
View CRG-related documents. (Includes meeting notes for the "Housing Mix" group and TRG).
Upcoming schedule:
View the City's November 2011 to February 2012 Calendar.
Here are key December and January dates (as of November 29):
- Through December 14, On-line Open Houses:
- Single Family Housing & Public Lands
- Industrial Lands
- Commercial and Multi-family Strategies
- December 6, 33:30 to 5:30 p.m., Drop-in open house on Commercial, Multi-family &
Industrial lands (Atrium Building) - January 17, 7:30 pm, City Council Public Hearing on City Manager's Draft
Recommendation, Council Chamber
On November 4, City staff posted the first map showing information about assumed
residential capacity for JWN and other neighborhoods. View JWN capacity map.
Here are some things to know about the map ...
* It doesn't include single-family infill and redevelopment. The assumption for these is about
600 dwellings over twenty years for the entire city. It's hard to estimate the JWN's share of that,
but a WAG would be maybe 20 dwellings plus or minus.
* The bigger "missing pieces" are for multiple-family dwellings. These maps do not include
multiple-family assumptions from either redevelopment (replace an older house or smaller
apartment with a large apartment) or multiple-family development on commercially-zoned
land. The latter assumption might or might not be significant for the south side of W. 7th Ave.
on the northern edge of the JWN.
Here are some documents that provide more details on the assumptions and methodology:
And here's a "work-in-progress" spreadsheet that shows how everything flows. Warning -- this
is for folks comfortable with navigating a spreadsheet.
The latest Envision Eugene calendar shows February 15 as the date for City Council to
consider, and potentially vote on, the "City Manager's Recommendation."
Staff has scheduled "on-line open houses" on "Housing & Public Land", "Industrial Land" and
"Commercial and Multi-Family Development Strategies" to run through December 14.
Capacity assumptions for single-family and multiple-family housing are critical to
understanding the impacts on the JWN that Envision Eugene may lead to. The data and
analysis that underly these assumptions is extensive and complex and may require
substantial time for the JWN Executive Board and JWN members to fully understand, discuss
and then formulate a community-based position and/or recommendations to present to City
Council. There will be limited time between the release of complete residential capacity
information and the City Council public hearing on January 17. There will be only one JWN
general meeting in that time frame.
What's the plan for delivering Envision Eugene results?
on how the Envision Eugene decision process will progress from the point today where
there's essentially very little useful information available to the public to consider, both in
terms of a new UGB and as to the potential impacts on neighborhoods from future residential
and commercial development.
It appears that to understand the "vision" part of Envision Eugene a citizen must rely on his or
her own a crystal ball. Or, as captured in this well-known cartoon ...
