[NLC] Envision Eugene Update from City Manager

[KINNISON Michael J]

The following message is posted on behalf of City Manager Jon Ruiz:


Dear Neighborhood Leaders,

Many of you have provided valuable information that has helped influence the attached draft proposal entitled Envision Eugene: A Legacy of Livability. This proposal has been informed by a wide range of community members, and reflects a broad base of community values.  One of the overarching values strongly reflected in this draft is the protection and enhancement of neighborhood livability.

In addition to the draft, I've also included the email I sent earlier to the Mayor, City Council and Planning Commission. As you will see in that email, I have recommended a revised timeline to allow for additional review and feedback from the public.  I hope you will share this draft with your neighborhood associations and community networks.

Thanks,

Jon
_____________________________________________
From: RUIZ Jon R
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 5:10 PM
To: *Eugene Mayor, City Council, and City Manager; *Eugene Planning Commissioners
Cc: *Eugene Exec Managers and Assistants; GARDNER Lisa A
Subject: Envision Eugene


Mayor and Councilors,

Yesterday marked the final full meeting of the Community Resource Group and their collective work on Envision Eugene.  As you know, this was a significant investment of time for all of the members who spent many meetings discussing the future of our community.

The work of the CRG is impressive.  They engaged in tough discussions about this community, how and where it should grow, what it should look like in the future, and what opportunities our community's residents and visitors should have.  They experienced the true challenge of balancing the triple bottom line on issues of affordability, economic prosperity, livability and our natural environment.  Most importantly, they demonstrated that people with strongly held but very divergent points of view can come together, listen to and learn from each other, and develop alternatives that are strongly supported by most of the participants.  The CRG's discussions have played a major role in shaping the package of recommendations that I and staff are bringing to you as part of the Envision Eugene project.

As part of yesterday's activities, the CRG reviewed a draft package of pillars, strategies and tactics for Envision Eugene.  In response to comments from the CRG about the draft, we have produced a revised draft, which is attached to this email.  There was significant agreement among the CRG on the attached package.  Three items that were not resolved in time to include in this draft are: an agreed upon housing mix (the amount of future single-family and multi-family housing); the amount of economic development lands; and the strategies and tactics for the seventh pillar, Provide for flexible, adaptable and collaborative implementation.  Various groups are working on these three items, and my intent is to include these as part of the package council considers.

You and the Planning Commission will meet on February 9 and 16 to discuss the  pillars, strategies and tactics.  You are scheduled to take action on this package of pillars, strategies and tactics on February 28.   That date coincides with the United Front trip, which means that at least the Mayor will not be present at the February 28 meeting.  Because of that, and the significance of the Envision Eugene project, I am rescheduling that action for March 14.

Based on feedback from CRG and community members, I propose  that you adopt a package on March 14 as a final proposal to be sent out for a 45 day public review and comment.  This will help ensure that community members have time to review the pillars, strategies and tactics and have a meaningful opportunity to provide comments to you.  So, in addition to the February 22 public hearing before Council, we are scheduling a second public hearing in April/May, with your final action at a meeting after that public hearing.

Following the Council's action in March, many of the planning staff who have been working on Envision Eugene will be able to start working on the technical documents needed for the formal action.  Thus, allowing time for additional public comment will not delay the ultimate formal adoption of the Metro Plan changes, land use code changes, and establishment of a new UGB.

If you have concerns about scheduling the second public hearing and the alternative timeline, please let us know at your February 9 council meeting.

This is an important milestone in this project and I look forward to sharing it with you.

Jon





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