The Planning Commission and the City Council will each hold meetings where people can provide input as the city considers how to implement state-required CFAs
By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news
A pair of hearings will be held to gather public feedback on legislation that could update the city’s zoning map and designate Climate Friendly Area overlay zones, according to a notice from the city.
“During these public hearings, the city’s project team will explain the details of the proposal and those in attendance will have the opportunity to provide testimony,” the notice said.
A state program
Eight Oregon metropolitan areas will develop climate-friendly areas under the state’s Climate Friendly & Equitable Community program. One goal is to encourage residents to walk and decrease reliance on automobiles.
CFAs introduce a number of requirements increasing density. Those requirements may include at least 15 dwelling units per acre for single-family developments and no maximum-density caps, according to the meeting notice. The new rules will encourage a mixture of use, such as requiring cities to allow townhomes, allowing maximum building heights of at least 50 feet, and multifamily residential buildings with ground-floor mixed use of commercial, office or civic uses.
The city of Ashland’s zoning map and land use regulations could be updated to create CFAs in potentially two locations. Additional changes are being considered for a “downtown zone.” Possible changes include allowing multifamily dwellings without a mixed-use requirement, requiring a minimum density of 30 dwelling units per acre, and increasing maximum building height to 50 feet, according to the notice.
The Planning Commission will hold a hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 in the council chambers at 1175 E. Main St. The City Council’s hearing will be at 6 p.m. May 6 in the council chambers. Each meeting will accept public comment, in person and online, according to the notice.
How to offer testimony
Those wishing to offer public testimony at a hearing should email PC-public-testimony@ashlandoregon.gov for the Planning Commission or recorder@ashland.or.us for the City Council. Send the email prior to 10 a.m. the Monday before the hearing and use the subject line “CFA Hearing Testimony,” the notice said. The email should include the name of the person offering testimony. It should also specify if the testimony is intended to be submitted in writing, via Zoom or in person.
To join via Zoom, a link was provided for the Planning Commission meeting. A Zoom link for the City Council meeting is available on request. Email Alissa Kolodzinski in the city recorder’s office at recorder@ashland.or.us.
All meeting materials will be available online at least 20 days prior to the hearing. For questions or assistance, contact Planning Manager Derek Severson, at 541-552-2040 or via email to derek.severson@ashlandoregon.gov.
Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.
