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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 03 19 AIS WS 2030 PlanAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: March 19, 2013 Meeting Type: Work Session Staff Contact/Dept.: Linda Pauly/DPW Staff Phone No: 541-726-4608 PLANNING COMMISSION Estimated Time: 30 Minutes ITEM TITLE: SPRINGFIELD 2030 REFINEMENT PLAN PROJECT UPDATE (LRP 2009-00014) ACTION REQUESTED: Staff will provide the Planning Commission with an update on the Springfield 2030 Refinement Plan (SRP) project, including the most recent refinements to the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) study. Staff requests the Planning Commission’s input on Draft Local Comparative Criteria Factors (Attachment 1) to inform policy development for the SRP Urbanization Element goals and policies and Springfield’s UGB expansion proposal. ISSUE STATEMENT: Staff is currently conducting a series of work sessions with the City Council to prepare proposed amendments to the Metro Plan that will adopt the Economic and Urbanization policy elements of the SRP, expand Springfield’s Urban Growth Boundary to add suitable employment land, and amend the Springfield Development Code to implement SRP plan policies. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Growing Springfield: Local Criteria for Comparing Equally Suitable Sites for UGB Expansion 2. Maps: UGB Study Areas DISCUSSION: The Planning Commission and the Lane County Planning Commission conducted a joint public hearing on the proposed Metro Plan Amendments as part of a larger SRP policy package in 2010 and forwarded mixed recommendations to their respective elected officials. The SRP Economic and Urbanization Element policies, and the UGB expansion proposal are now being refined in response to issues and concerns identified by the Planning Commissions, stakeholders and members of the public and a more in- depth parcel-level analysis by staff. In 2011, Springfield and Lane County adopted the Springfield Urban Growth Boundary and the SRP Residential Land and Housing Element. Since then, DPW staff have been conducting a focused effort to complete the UGB Alternatives Analysis to determine where Springfield will propose to expand the UGB to designate suitable “Employment Opportunity” sites. This requires the application of a precise, step-by-step method dictated by Oregon’s statewide planning goals, administrative rules and statutes for considering all lands surrounding Springfield’s UGB. The five study areas identified in Attachment 2 are the result of a more in-depth analysis of the preliminary growth concepts previously identified and subject to public review in 2009-2010 and at other sites that meet the statutory criteria equally well (Attachment 2). DPW staff are also preparing amendments to the Springfield Development Code to establish the interim zoning and permitted uses that will be applicable to land brought into the UGB prior to its annexation and development for employment purposes. The Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners will be conducting a joint public hearing on the proposals later this year. Growing Springfield Local Criteria for Comparing Equally Suitable Sites for UGB Expansion [Goal 14 Locational Factor 3: ESEE Analysis] Alignment with City Council Goals Provide financially responsible and innovative government services Supports the most efficient utilization of a scarce land supply. Provides the most suitable acres per total area of expansion. Provides the lowest cost per acre of suitable land added to UGB. Contiguous with City Limits and wastewater system. Location has greatest potential to increase local tax base while minimizing public cost of infrastructure construction and maintenance. Minimizes length of service extensions/distance to service centers. Encourage economic development and revitalization through community partnerships Provides the most competitive development sites for industries. (Business Oregon/Metro study data) Supports TEAM Springfield shared mission and goals. Land owner has expressed interested in developing or selling within 1-3 yrs, or within the next 20 years. Development could help create better public access to local amenities, highlight natural beauty of the area and provide nearby park/recreation/open space amenities for workforce and public. Location is serviceable from an existing or planned transit system. Expands existing employment center(s) vs. creating new center(s). Location provides an opportunity to locate adjacent to an existing industry cluster. Strengthen public safety by leveraging partnerships and resources Supports resilience to natural hazards and emergencies (e.g. flood abatement by limiting amount or type of new development in the flood plain). Location is serviceable from existing or planned emergency response facilities. Maintain and improve infrastructure and facilities Supports improvement of services to existing neighborhoods by enabling future improvement/connections of public facilities and infrastructure to serve land already inside the UGB. Strengthens City’s ability to protect and ensure the stability of its drinking water supply to meet current and future needs. Supports/ Strengthens City’s ability to resolve an identified infrastructure/public facilities problem (e.g. public drainage system connection, street connectivity, septic system failures). Supports City’s adopted “Key Outcomes for Stormwater” (2004, 2008): Protect citizens and property from flooding Ensure compliance with State and federal requirements to reduce risks of third party lawsuits or enforcement actions Improve surface and subsurface waters for aquatic life and other beneficial uses Preserve and maintain surface waters, wetlands, and riparian areas as functional and attractive for people, fish, and wildlife Citizens, businesses, and industries understand the need to protect water quality Provide regulatory certainty for the development community while ensuring that growth is not constrained by lack of planning or facilities Urban drainageways become community amenities Promote and enhance our hometown feel while focusing on livability and environmental quality Maintains and reinforces community’s identity and sense of connectedness. Supports community and visitor access to local and regional rivers, parks, recreation and open space amenities and destinations through an integrated greenway network weaving nature into the city as Springfield grows. Supports protection and restoration of natural resources and environmental services. Maintains, supports and encourages growth of local agricultural/horticultural production, innovation and food processing industries and retains land zoned for farming on the urban fringe as a community benefit with cultural and spiritual values and value for tourism. Location supports transportation and land use planning goals for VMT and GHG reduction. Location is walkable/bikeable from residential areas, from an existing or planned transit station or route, or potential future transit route extension. Closest to I-5/I-105/OR126B. Increase in traffic congestion is acceptable/manageable without costly improvements to freeway interchange(s). Site surroundings have positive aesthetics. Site surroundings have negative aesthetics– could use quality future development to repair, improve and enhance. Site surroundings are at risk to resource development that has potential to detract from City’s physical setting/aesthetics/natural assets and ability to attract new employers.