TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Norman Wright, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
title
2021 Unified Development Code Update
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Good Governance; Natural Environment Stewardship; Welcoming and Livable Community
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SUMMARY:
summary
Engrossed Ordinance Bill No. 13-21 updates the Unified Development Code (UDC) and other identified chapters of the Salem Revised Code to address issues that have arisen since the last major update to the UDC in 2019. Engrossed Ordinance Bill No. 13-21 amends Salem Revised Code Title X (Unified Development Code) and other identified code chapters to comply with recent changes in State law. The ordinance also changes the zoning of properties within the downtown in the General Retail/Office overlay zone that are currently zoned RH (Multiple Family High-Residential), CO (Commercial Office), and CR (Retail Commercial) to CB (Central Business District).
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council pass Engrossed Ordinance Bill No. 13-21?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Pass Engrossed Ordinance Bill No. 13-21.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Engrossed Ordinance Bill No. 13-21 (Attachment 1) amends the Unified Development Code and other identified chapters of the Salem Revised Code and changes the zoning of those properties within the downtown in the General Retail/Office overlay zone that are currently zoned RH (Multiple Family High-Residential), CO (Commercial Office), and CR (Retail Commercial) to CB (Central Business District). Engrossed Ordinance Bill No. 13-21 includes minor housekeeping amendments as well as policy-related changes that respond to recent changes in State law - including State House Bill 2001 concerning the allowance of middle housing in single family residential zones; concerns from the community; and issues identified by staff to improve the application and administration of the UDC.
The engrossed ordinance includes the original proposed amendments identified during the December 6, 2021, City Council public hearing and the recommended further revisions identified in the January 24, 2022, City Council staff report.
The amendments, with engrossments, are included in Exhibit A to the engrossed ordinance. Those properties whose zoning will change to Central Business District (CB) are identified in Exhibit B to the engrossed ordinance. Findings demonstrating conformance with the applicable approval criteria of SRC 110.085(b) and SRC 265.010(d) are included in Exhibit C to the engrossed ordinance.
BACKGROUND:
In 2014, the Unified Development Code was completed and adopted as part of the Salem Revised Code (SRC Title X). The UDC was a complete reorganization and update of Salem’s development codes. The UDC was adopted with the expectation that it would be regularly updated to ensure that any unanticipated issues or concerns were routinely reviewed, and its provisions were kept current.
With the proposed amendments to the code, a legislative zone change is also proposed to change the zoning of specific properties located within the downtown in the General Retail/Office overlay zone that are currently zoned RH (Multiple Family High-Residential), CO (Commercial Office), and CR (Retail Commercial) to CB (Central Business District) in order to align the zoning of the properties with their existing Central Business District comprehensive plan designation and to be consistent with the CB zoning pattern of surrounding downtown properties.
Bryce Bishop,
Planner III
Attachments:
1. Engrossed Ordinance Bill No. 13-21