Have you ever wondered how one of the housing types from our meet the housing types series got built, what a flag lot is, or even how to testify at a public hearing? This informational series hopes to answer some of these questions.

This series will focus more on what is being built today and will set you up to have fun conversations with friends about what can be built next to where they live, how zoning works, and what a Planned Unit Development is. Or, perhaps those are just the conversations we have with our friends. Our seventh article in the series is below.

In Eugene we have five application review types that determine the process used to review a given land use application. For example, subdivisions are reviewed using a Type II process, while zone changes require a Type III process. Some of the differences between the types include the area that public notice is sent to, how long the public comment period is, and relevant to this article – who reviews the application.

Most land-use decisions are made by either the Eugene Planning Director or the Eugene Hearings Official. The decisions made by the Planning Director are typically those related to Type II applications which include subdivisions, adjustment reviews, and site reviews to name a few of the specific applications in that category. The Planning Director’s decision consider public input that relates to approval criteria that is submitted in writing during a 14-day comment period. 

The Eugene Hearings Official typically makes decisions about Type III applications, which include zone changes, planned unit developments, and conditional use permits to name a few. Unlike the review done by the Planning Director, the Hearings Official holds a hearing during which people can provide spoken comments related to approval criteria. Of course, written comments are still accepted, and public notice of hearings is typically provided to allow for a 30-day public comment period ahead of the hearing. The Hearings Official is also responsible for holding a hearing and making a decision when an appeal of a Planning Director decision is filed.

Both the Eugene Planning Commission and Eugene City Council also play a role in making decisions about land use applications. In our next article, we will discuss their role in reviewing land use applications. 

In the meantime, if you are interested in getting emails when the City receives Land Use Applications, you can sign up to receive our Land Use Activity email. If you are curious about standards and regulations for a particular zone, you can visit Chapter 9 of the Eugene Code. For more questions about zoning, you can contact Althea Sullivan.

Several Eugene Planning projects are now in the Adoption Phase! That means that staff is hard at work preparing adoption packages, developing findings, and coordinating upcoming public meetings. Due to the nature of Adoption Phase work (and that it's summer), this Newsletter may be a little quieter than usual.

The Planning team is continuing to implement our Community Vision and these projects are part of that work. Stay tuned for big announcements about when and how to get involved in the public hearings processes for the projects below:

For more information, visit the RRSC Engage Eugene page for updates and opportunities to provide input in the coming months. You can also sign up for our RRSC Neighborhood Plan Interested Parties Mailing List and find more information on the project webpage. If you have questions, please contact project manager Chelsea Hartman.

For more information, visit the project webpage and stay tuned to this newsletter for monthly project updates, and sign up for our Interested Parties Mailing List to be notified in advance of public meetings. Feel free to contact City Project Manager Rebecca Gershow or Lane County Principal Planner Lindsey Eichner with questions, or use the Q&A feature on the Urban Reserves Engage Eugene page.

For more information, visit the project webpage, Engage Eugene, Facebook, Instagram, and by signing up for our Interested Parties List. If you have any questions about the project, contact Public Engagement Lead Sophie McGinley.

It’s important to us that community members know when someone has applied to develop their property through the land use application process. City staff are always happy to discuss a project before the formal review, and can provide information about what the formal review process will be to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to review and comment on a project. Sign up to start receiving emails that list recently submitted projects.

You can decide which email lists to be a part of by clicking update profile below. This will allow you to unsubscribe from this email list while remaining on other City of Eugene Planning and Development email lists. If you would like to unsubscribe from all City of Eugene Planning and Development emails, please click unsubscribe. Thanks!