Springfield is continuing to see the energy of ideas come to life in a special part of the city that is testament to Springfield’s motto: Proud History, Bright Future. City staff and the community have developed tools—including plans and policies— that will promote and sustain a vibrant downtown with:
- Inviting pedestrian-friendly streets.
- Successful retail blocks.
- Various housing options.
- Enhanced public spaces and civic center.
- Unique cultural destinations, and
- Convenient connections to Island Park and surrounding neighborhoods.
Downtown Development Resources
Planning & Development Requirements
- Downtown Refinement Plan (updated 2024)
- Zoning and Map Resources
- Springfield Development Code
- Springfield Municipal Code (Downtown Sign District standards are in Section 8.250)
- Current Development web page
Other Downtown Planning Documents
Recent Project: Downtown Design Standards
On June 17, 2019, Council adopted changes to the standards in the Downtown Sign District, which are part of the Municipal Code. A result of this effort was a set of sign standards that are now simplified and flexible in order to provide options for achieving desired outcomes. Adoption of the remaining draft design standards may be considered by Council in the future and may require further revisions. At this time, there is no timeline determined for when this project will continue. Click here for previous news and e-updates.
Project Documents
- Adopted:Â Updated Sign Code, Ordinance 6403Â (6/17/2019)
- Draft: Proposed Design Standards – Development Code 3.4-400
- Supporting Components
- Draft:Â Development Code Amendments SDC 3.2-600, 3.4-100, 4.7-100, 6.1-110
- Draft:Â Proposed Downtown Zoning Map
- To help inform the design standards in the Development Code, graduate students at the University of Oregon tested the draft standards with real-world development projects as part of Springfield’s continued partnership with the Sustainable Cities Institute. This report assessed whether the draft standards were easy to use and examined their effectiveness in implementing visions for downtown. Click here to read the report.
- Supporting Components
Downtown Citizen Advisory Committee
See below for the dates and details of the most recent CAC meetings. Click here for additional dates and details for older CAC meetings.
| Meeting | Agenda, Minutes, Documents |
|---|---|
| June 28, 2018 | Agenda, Meeting Audio |
| April 11, 2018 | Agenda, Meeting Audio |
| March 22, 2018 | Agenda, Presentation |
| March 1, 2018 | Agenda, Presentation, Meeting Audio |
| November 9, 2017 | Agenda, Draft Downtown Sign Code Amendments, Meeting Audio |
| June 22, 2017 | Agenda, Meeting Audio |
| May 25, 2017 | Agenda, Existing Sign Code, Meeting Audio |
| April 27, 2017 | Agenda, Memo to CAC, Meeting Audio |
| April 28, 2016 | Agenda, Meeting Audio, Draft 2 Streetscape Standards, Draft 2 Development Standards |
| October 22, 2015 | Agenda, Cover Memo, Draft Streetscape Standards, Draft Development Standards, Meeting Audio |
| August 27, 2015 | Agenda, Meeting Audio |
| June 25, 2015 | Agenda, Meeting Audio |
| October 1, 2014 | Agenda, Meeting Audio |
| December 11, 2014 | Agenda |
Get Involved
We need your input to ensure that our planning efforts meet the community’s expectations and aspirations. You can make your voice heard in one or more ways:
- Join the email list
- Submit comments to City staff
- Attend public meetings and hearings; keep track of public meetings and hearings by viewing City Council Meetings and Online Public Documents.
