This month's EUG Planning Newsletter includes the Annual Growth Monitoring Report, Urban Growth Strategies Update, Grand Opening of Williams Place, the Climate Action Plan 2.0, Opening on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee, and How to Report Right-of-Way Issues.

We hope you'll find this information useful and reach out if you have questions. As always, you can find more information on all of our work by visiting our website.

The City of Eugene’s Growth Monitoring Program, which includes developing a system to collect growth-related information, was established by policies in the Envision Eugene Comprehensive Plan with the goal of having growth-related data that is complete and relevant to the community’s future needs. Identifying growth trends, such as knowing how fast Eugene is growing and monitoring the rate of development, will help inform whether additional strategies are needed to grow more compact or to grow the land supply by expanding Eugene's urban growth boundary.

The Growth Monitoring Program is excited to share the second Annual Growth Monitoring Report for 2023 and the Report’s attachment, Updated Data Details - 2023 (for a deeper dive into the data). There are two types of growth monitoring reports which are intended to provide monitoring snapshots that compare current data to previously adopted assumptions about Eugene’s future growth:



• The comprehensive report is required every five years and includes more data, trend information, comparisons to other cities, analysis, and detailed data appendices (see the 2021 Comprehensive Growth Monitoring Report).
• The annual report is intended to keep tabs on the key data needed for urban growth boundary planning, look for potential trends of concern, and keep data collection up to date for the next comprehensive report. The annual report is shorter, focusing on the key data for growth monitoring and has much less analysis, trends, and comparisons.

For an even more high-level snapshot, check out the newly launched Growth Monitoring Data Dashboard! The dashboard includes charts highlighting a subset of key data related to Eugene’s growth and development in a more easily accessible and digestible format and allows users to download datasets. The dashboard also includes maps showing building permit locations for new housing and new employment buildings and additions. This is the first phase of the dashboard, with more monitoring data to come as the dashboard continues to develop.

For more program information visit the Growth Monitoring Program website.

The City of Eugene Planning Division is looking for ways to make it easier for people to access goods and services closer to home. To better understand the community's needs and meet citywide sustainability goals, the Planning Division has a survey and a mapping activity open to community members. This survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

Survey responses will help inform the strategies to promote a livable city that meets the needs of everyone who lives here. As a bonus, survey participants can choose to be entered into a free drawing for one of eight $25 gift cards to the Lane County Farmer’s Market.



The information provided in the survey and mapping activity will inform policy outcomes of Urban Growth Strategies. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation!

Centers: Places to Live, Work, Shop, & Play

The City of Eugene wants to focus future growth and investment in and near mixed-use Centers to increase access to essential goods and services for all residents. Mixed-use Centers provide convenient access to daily needs, such as housing, jobs, groceries, parks, schools, and services. They also range in size and activity level, from downtown Eugene to smaller neighborhood centers.

Climate-Friendly Areas are a type of Center, directed by state administrative rule, that will play a crucial role in reducing dependence on cars, lowering household transportation costs, and decreasing pollution by keeping goods and services close together and near housing. By strategically focusing on these Centers, Eugene can become an even more thriving, lively, and inclusive city that meets the needs of all its residents.

Urban Growth Strategies will evaluate the tools, actions, and strategies to help Eugene support existing Centers and create new ones. Learn more about Centers here(en español).

Urban Growth Strategies in the Community

The City of Eugene is excited to announce its active participation in a series of community engagement events throughout the summer! The goal is to connect with residents, listen to your thoughts, and gather valuable input that will inform future planning decisions.

As part of the Urban Growth Strategies community engagement plan, engagement activities this summer focus on collecting feedback on the community’s needs and priorities for housing, jobs, and community resources. In June, the City of Eugene’s Planning Division participated in events hosted by Bethel and Harlow neighbors, HIV Alliance, and AARP.

In June 2024, St. Vincent De Paul of Lane County (SVDP) completed Williams Place, a new affordable housing development that includes 10 one-bedroom transitional housing units for veterans experiencing homelessness.

The development is a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Grant and Per Diem Program (GPD) which provides on-site case management services to support Veterans in successfully transitioning to permanent, stable housing. SVDP also helps participants access benefits, build job skills and identify employment opportunities. The development was named in honor of Anne Williams, a housing advocate who led housing programs at SVDP for many years. Williams Place was awarded $450,000 in City of Eugene Affordable Housing Trust Funds (AHTF) in 2022 and up to $150,000 in City Fee Assistance for Affordable Housing.

The Housing Implementation Pipeline (HIP) is an internal, cross-departmental, five-year work plan for the City organization. This plan coordinates current and future City resources, goals, and priorities with a systems-thinking approach to housing across the full continuum, from people experiencing homelessness to overall housing supply.

The AHTF development awards align with the objectives outlined in the City’s HIP, which aim to support the creation of 835 new affordable homes by 2027. The awards also support the City’s strategic plan to address urgent community needs by stabilizing the cost of housing. To date, the AHTF has invested a total of $3.3 million to help develop $68 million worth of housing, adding 266 new affordable homes in Eugene.

The City of Eugene Sustainability program has released the Climate Action Plan 2.0 2023 annual report, which indicates the plan is 61% implemented just four years after being created. The annual report shares highlights in five different areas: transportation, buildings, waste, consumption and resilience.

A decade ago, Eugene was one of the first cities in the nation to establish goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the passage of the Climate Recovery Ordinance. In 2020, Eugene continued to lead the way on climate through the development of the Climate Action Plan 2.0.

“This report highlights the tremendous amount of work being done by the City and our partners to address climate change,” said Danielle Klinkebiel, a climate policy analyst in the Sustainability program. “While there is still much work to do, it is both promising and hopeful to recognize the crucial steps we’ve already taken as a community.”

Several big indicators of progress include construction of a digester at the wastewater treatment facility that transforms methane from solid waste into renewable natural gas; the completion of protected bikeways on 13^th Avenue and High Street; and an electric vehicle carshare pilot program at an affordable housing complex.

Eugene’s leadership on climate action is strengthened by groundbreaking investments offered through the federal Inflation Reduction Act and Oregon’s Climate Resilience Package. The City has succeeded in receiving multiple grants to accelerate climate work and is poised to take advantage of many more funding streams. 

The City also partners with many local organizations when addressing climate work, and their assistance is appreciated.

Help Create More Affordable Housing in Eugene – Apply to join the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee

Applications open through August 4, 2024

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee is seeking a member for Planning and Housing Development position.

The objective of the committee is to advise City of Eugene staff on:

• Development of goals, resource allocation, and programs related to the use of monies in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF).
• Specific project proposals to be supported by Affordable Housing Trust Fund resources.

Overall committee membership consists of nine members, representing a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds. Three members are at-large representatives; three members represent planning, housing development, or other related experience (such as mortgage lender, home builder, realtor); and three members represent housing and population advocates (such as a housing consumer, Human Rights Commission member, or housing advocate). Some members may represent multiple perspectives, depending on their backgrounds.

The committee meets four times a year (twice in the spring, twice in the fall) with additional meetings scheduled as needed.

Below is information about the AHTF, the advisory committee, and the application:

• Affordable Housing Trust Fund Informational Flyer
• Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee - Information Sheet
• Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee - Application

Applications are being accepted July 2, 2024 – August 4, 2024. For questions, please contact Laura Hammond (541-682-5502).

The City of Eugene is over 40 square miles, which includes a lot of right-of-way and public space. To report issues in Eugene's right-of-way, community assistance is crucial. City staff rely on residents to identify hazards they may not otherwise notice. Here are common issues and how to report them:

1. Overgrown Vegetation: Property owners are responsible for keeping vegetation clear from sidewalks and bike lanes. Confidentially report violations via the City's Code Compliance Form. Users can upload photos. In most cases people just get a friendly reminder from a code compliance officer and only face potential fines for repeat offences. 
2. Broken or Hazardous Sidewalks: Use the Maintenance Request Form to report broken sidewalks. If you have a broken or hazardous sidewalk in front of your property, you can also reach out the City of Eugene Maintenance Team to discuss options for fixing it.   
3. Faulty Traffic Control: Sometimes traffic signals and bicycle signals aren’t working properly and signs may also occasionally fall down or get stolen. Report malfunctioning traffic signals or signs via the Maintenance Request Form or by calling 541-682-4800.
4. Bike Lane Issues: Debris like glass or leaves in bike lanes should be reported using the Maintenance Request Form or by calling 541-682-4800. Save the contact for easy access while biking.
5. Other Concerns: For any other issues, call 541-682-4800 between 9am-4pm on weekdays. City staff will direct your concern to the appropriate team for prompt resolution.

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.

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