Jefferson area Metro Plan redesignatation (continued)
(back to page 1)
At the September 12, 2006 General Meeting, JWN members unanimously approved
amending the plans and City code to designate this area Low Density. (See Motion B.)
The JWN co-chairs sent the former Interim Planning Director specific proposed text
changes for the amendments on September 16. Again we were fortunate in that these
recommendations were handled by another new Planning Division staff person -- Terri
Harding, and the changes she recommended to the Planning Commission reflected the
co-chairs' recommendations. (The co-chairs met with Terri on November 7, and she
visited the redesignated area.)
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on December 5. A large number of
residents testified in support of the amendments. Only one person testified in opposition.
The JWN co-chairs submitted a letter and testimony prior to the hearing and submitted
additional comments in response to other testimony and questions that came up at the
hearing.
On January 8, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend City Council
adopt these amendments.
The City Council held a public hearing on the amendments on February 20 at which a
number of residents testified.
On March 12, City Council unanimously (8-0) approve the amendments with an immediate
effective date, thus providing solid protection to this area to prevent up-zonings to R-2 and
the destructive development the R-2 zone would have allowed.
= = = =
As a "stop-gap" measure until the amendments were adopted, Council had also directed
the City Manager to initiate a "land use decision" that would provide an official
interpretation of the Jefferson/Far West Refinement Plan policy that covers this area. The
JWN co-chairs submitted "Findings and Recommendations" to the Planning Director on
October 3.
On November 15, the Principal Planner, Steve Nystrom, issued the code interpretation. In
another extreme action, this decision totally voided all the refinement plan's requirements
for limited density and maintaining the character of this area.
On November 21, the JWN board voted unanimously to appeal this decision. The appeal
was filed November 28. There will be a public hearing in January. For a more detailed
explanation, read the appeal statement and the attached "Findings and
Recommendations".
The appeal hearing was held January 11, 2007. Read the Appeal Testimony.
The Hearings Official issued a decision on January 30 in which she ruled the Principal
Planner had erred in stating the policy places no limits on the nature of development
allowed under R-2. However, she also ruled the "Low-Medium Density" designation
allows the same maximum density as the Metro Plan "Medium Density" category, or 28
dwelling units per net acre.
Although the Hearings Official decision did not directly support the JWN's position
regarding the number of dwelling units allowed on a lot, the decision provides a legal
basis to require that any zone change to R-2 maintain the character of the neighborhood.
This in turn provides a basis to limit the intensity of development to levels that are
compatible with the surrounding area.
If you have any questions or comments, contact the JWN Chair to learn how you can help.
(back to page 1)
At the September 12, 2006 General Meeting, JWN members unanimously approved
amending the plans and City code to designate this area Low Density. (See Motion B.)
The JWN co-chairs sent the former Interim Planning Director specific proposed text
changes for the amendments on September 16. Again we were fortunate in that these
recommendations were handled by another new Planning Division staff person -- Terri
Harding, and the changes she recommended to the Planning Commission reflected the
co-chairs' recommendations. (The co-chairs met with Terri on November 7, and she
visited the redesignated area.)
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on December 5. A large number of
residents testified in support of the amendments. Only one person testified in opposition.
The JWN co-chairs submitted a letter and testimony prior to the hearing and submitted
additional comments in response to other testimony and questions that came up at the
hearing.
On January 8, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend City Council
adopt these amendments.
The City Council held a public hearing on the amendments on February 20 at which a
number of residents testified.
On March 12, City Council unanimously (8-0) approve the amendments with an immediate
effective date, thus providing solid protection to this area to prevent up-zonings to R-2 and
the destructive development the R-2 zone would have allowed.
= = = =
As a "stop-gap" measure until the amendments were adopted, Council had also directed
the City Manager to initiate a "land use decision" that would provide an official
interpretation of the Jefferson/Far West Refinement Plan policy that covers this area. The
JWN co-chairs submitted "Findings and Recommendations" to the Planning Director on
October 3.
On November 15, the Principal Planner, Steve Nystrom, issued the code interpretation. In
another extreme action, this decision totally voided all the refinement plan's requirements
for limited density and maintaining the character of this area.
On November 21, the JWN board voted unanimously to appeal this decision. The appeal
was filed November 28. There will be a public hearing in January. For a more detailed
explanation, read the appeal statement and the attached "Findings and
Recommendations".
The appeal hearing was held January 11, 2007. Read the Appeal Testimony.
The Hearings Official issued a decision on January 30 in which she ruled the Principal
Planner had erred in stating the policy places no limits on the nature of development
allowed under R-2. However, she also ruled the "Low-Medium Density" designation
allows the same maximum density as the Metro Plan "Medium Density" category, or 28
dwelling units per net acre.
Although the Hearings Official decision did not directly support the JWN's position
regarding the number of dwelling units allowed on a lot, the decision provides a legal
basis to require that any zone change to R-2 maintain the character of the neighborhood.
This in turn provides a basis to limit the intensity of development to levels that are
compatible with the surrounding area.
If you have any questions or comments, contact the JWN Chair to learn how you can help.
(back to page 1)
Letters to City Council
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Jefferson Westside Neighbors