Springfield advisory committee advances Phase 2 code amendments to boost mixed‑use housing

Springfield planning staff told the Housing Design Technical Advisory Committee on March that Phase 2 of zoning amendments aims to increase housing opportunities by reducing regulatory barriers and expanding where mixed‑use development is allowed. "We're providing more opportunities for housing by allowing housing and mixed use development in more locations," the staff presenter said, recounting work already done in Phase 1 and the contract with consultant Cascadia Partners.

The package would apply minimum density requirements (15 units per net acre for mixed use; 20 units per net acre for 100% multifamily) and shorten the height step‑down setback from 50 feet to 25 feet so buildings can be taller closer to low‑density residential zones. Staff also proposed rezoning the former Booth Kelly mixed‑use area to a single "mixed use employment" district to simplify overlapping categories.

Staff warned the group of a state deadline tied to Climate Friendly Areas (CFA) rulemaking and said Glenwood was designated the primary CFA with two secondary areas downtown and in Mohawk. "The Glenwood CFA amendments must be co‑adopted by Lane County," staff said, and joint hearings with the county planning commission are already scheduled.

The TAC generally favored the changes as written, with members asking for clarification about where minimum densities would apply and how downtown exceptions would work. One member noted that applying minimum height requirements everywhere could undercut local character; staff replied that downtown CFA overlay exceptions would retain a two‑story minimum there but not elsewhere.

Next steps: staff said they plan one more TAC meeting in April to finalize the draft before forwarding an adoption packet to the planning commission and then city council for final action.