The JWN Executive Board has unanimously approved the pilot project to house 3 to 6 residents in the Conestoga huts at the Lane Events Center and it now goes to the Lane County Commissioners. The Executive Board based its decision on the overwhelming support of neighbors, the record of Community Supported Shelters (CSS) managing these sites, evidence of their efficacy, and a record that demonstrates such a facility does not result in a rise in illegal activity proximate to the site. The Executive Board feels that this project will, in a small way, help address the challenges of homelessness without negatively impacting the neighborhood.

Process

177 neighbors participated in our online survey, with 85% in favor across the neighborhood and 60% in favor who live the area directly adjacent to the proposed site. Seven neighbors submitted emails, in which four were in favor of the project.

The survey came at the end of a public process that included mailed notification of all JWN addresses via the Summer Newsletter, notifications via our monthly eNews, several special eNews Editions, and postings on our social media and website. A public meeting on the project took place in September at the Lane Events Center and a discussion was held at the JWN October General Meeting. In addition, flyers were distributed in are areas directly adjacent to the proposed site notifying neighbors of the survey and providing a url.

Some neighbors expressed some specific concerns. While we cannot address each individual comment, we would make the following points:

• The pilot site is not a homeless camp and is limited to those in the Community Supported Shelters program. There will be no tents, just 3 very neat and self-contained Conestoga huts actively monitored by Community Supported Shelters (CSS), who provide sanitation and garbage collection.
• Residents are carefully selected and have at least 10 months successfully participating in the CSS program.
• CSS managed site have not resulted in a rise in crime or illegal camping proximate to these sites. In fact, the experience with Conestoga hut sites like this is a reduction in illegal activity.
• Three to six new people in the neighborhood will not constitute a parking problem, as they generally do not have cars.
• The proposed site is on the fairgrounds property and residents will have to abide by fairground management rules, which are quite strict.
• The Conestoga huts will be moved for 3 weeks around and during the annual county fair.

One neighbor has offered to do laundry for our new neighbors.

This is a pilot project to get, at least, a few people in shelters.  If there are any concerns, you are invited to contact us at jwneugene@gmail.com.  More people in sanctioned organized shelter means fewer people camping on our streets.

The November JWN General Meeting

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 6:45-9PM

First United Methodist

Church, 1376 Olive St.

Bring a snack to share!

Agenda

• How Parking Control Works. Travis Hargitt CPM, Operations Manager/ Parksmart Advisor, City of Eugene Parking Services (see article).

Travis Hargitt CPM, Operations Manager/ Parksmart Advisor, City of Eugene Parking Services will speak and answers questions about how parking control works at the JWN November general meeting. You can get more information on the Eugene Parking Permit website.

• Presentations and discussion on HB 2001 impacts and potential JWN responses.

The member-initiated motion put forward on HB 2001 for the October JWN General Meeting was voluntarily withdrawn as the request of the JWN Chair to allow for more discussion on the matter. In all likelihood, a vote on that motion or a revised version will take place in early 2020.

There will be two short presentations on HB 2001 (Eliza Kashinsky) and its potential impacts on the JWN (Paul Conte) followed by a facilitated discussion and Q&A at the November 12 General meeting. Q&A is limited to JWN members. No vote will take place at this meeting. For more information:

Concise description of the zoning provisions in House Bill 2001

HB 2001 requires that by June 30, 2022, Eugene must amend its zoning regulations to allow the development of all “middle” housing types in areas zoned for residential use that allow for the development of detached single-family dwellings, and must allow a duplex on every one of the lots in those areas. “Middle” housing types include: duplex, triplex, quadplex, cottage cluster, and townhouse (actually defined as “row house”).

The JWN has the following four base zones that are encompassed by HB 2001: R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4, as well as two special area zones: S-C Chambers SAZ and S-JW Jefferson-Westside SAZ. All of these zones allow all of the “middle” housing types; however, the R-1 zone limits most lots in the JWN to a single primary dwelling and a single accessory dwelling unit (ADU). There are existing examples of all “middle” housing types in the JWN.

HB 2001 allows Eugene to regulate siting and design of “middle” housing, provided that the regulations do not discourage the development of all “middle” housing types permitted in the area through unreasonable costs or delay. Eugene can also regulate “middle” housing to comply with protective measures adopted pursuant to statewide land use planning goals. Neither of these provisions has yet been clarified as to their specific scope (e.g., what constitutes a “siting” regulation).

As of January 1, 2020, HB 2001 dictates that Eugene’s lot and development regulations for ADUs cannot require that an owner occupy the primary or accessory dwelling and cannot require additional off-street parking for an ADU. Currently all of the JWN’s zones allow either an “ADU” (R-1) or a second dwelling. Only the R-1 zone currently requires owner-occupancy.

As of its adoption, HB 2001 prohibits Eugene from adopting new or newly amended zoning regulations that would prohibit or unreasonably restrict the development of housing that is otherwise allowable under the maximum density of the zoning for the land. Existing regulations are not affected by the provision, and “unreasonably restrict” has not yet been clarified.

The JWN’s zones limit density in two ways: explicitly as the “maximum density” and implicitly by the “minimum lot size.” Currently, the R-1 zone has a maximum density of 14 dwelling units per acre and minimum lot sizes of 4,500 square feet for one dwelling and 6,100 square feet for a primary dwelling and an ADU. All the other zones have higher maximum densities and generally minimum lot sizes of 4,500 square feet (there are a number of exceptions to these criteria).

The full text of HB 2001 is available at:

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2019R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB2001/Enrolled

Eugene’s zoning map is available at:

https://pdd.eugene-or.gov/Maps/ZoningMap

Eugene’s land use code is available at:

https://www.eugene-or.gov/2128/Land-Use-Code