Springfield Development Code Updates
The Springfield Development Code is the principal document that implements local, state, and federal land use, transportation, and environmental laws applicable in the City of Springfield. The City regularly updates the Code to comply with new requirements and to better respond to community needs.
Stormwater Post-Construction Requirements Update – Underway
Background
In accordance with the 1972 Federal Clean Water Act, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a permit to the City of Springfield called a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. The permit regulates pollution from stormwater released to surface water, including the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. The current MS4 permit characterizes Springfield’s stormwater drainage system, establishes goals, policy and implementation actions; and measures, reports, and adaptively manages the City’s water resources and stormwater runoff. The permit implements and enforces post-construction site runoff controls within the Springfield Urban Growth Boundary, including unannexed areas through an intergovernmental agreement with Lane County. The post-construction site runoff control program reduces discharge of pollutants and addresses stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment. For general information on the City of Springfield’s approach to protecting clean water and managing the stormwater system, see https://springfieldstreams.org.
Regulations for post-construction stormwater runoff are contained in the Springfield Development Code and the Engineering Design Standards and Procedures Manual (EDSPM).
Project Purpose
The purpose of the Post-Construction Requirements Update Project is to amend the Springfield Development Code to comply with Oregon DEQ’s requirements of the City, including requirements to regulate post-construction site runoff and minimize barriers to low impact development and green infrastructure under the City’s MS4 Permit. These amendments would allow and encourage the use of stormwater treatment facilities including swales, rain gardens, and pervious pavements and strengthen requirements that address stormwater quality issues and improve the quality of water in the City’s drinking water protection areas.
The project objectives are to:
- Review and update enforceable post-construction stormwater management requirements in ordinance or other regulatory mechanism that includes a site performance standard.
- Review and update post-construction requirements for development and redevelopment, especially for project sites that create or replace 5,000 square feet or more of impervious area.
- Review development code and remove barriers to low impact development and green infrastructure.
FAQ – Stormwater Permits
It meets the State and Federal water quality requirement and local water resource management objectives by establishing goals, policies, and implementation actions, and establishes a means for measuring, reporting, and adaptively managing the City’s water resources and stormwater runoff.
Public stormwater refers to runoff from urban areas that flow to storm drains, gutters, ditches, swales, or a system of pipes that is managed by the City and eventually ends up in the McKenzie or Willamette Rivers.
The code amendments will apply to development applications that disturb one or more acres of land, or development that adds or replaces 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surfaces (I.e. hardscaped or paved areas).
Onsite stormwater controls will need to either retain the first one-inch of rainfall on site, or propose a combination of on-site retention and water quality treatment to meet city standards. Privately-owned and maintained stormwater facilities will also be required to implement ongoing operations and maintenance requirements after construction and occupancy.
Project Timeline & Updates
Click here to view a high-level timeline that shows the project’s intended phasing from June 2023 through February 2024. It represents the process and estimated timeline for review, feedback, and ultimate adoption of the MS4 Permit Development Code update.
Meeting Recordings, Materials & Testimony
The project scope and schedule provide opportunities for engagement that range from one-on-one communications with project staff, to public comment on our Springfield Oregon Speaks page (https://springfieldoregonspeaks.org) to formal public hearings.
Project Contact Information
City staff welcome all questions about the project. We are here to help you. Thank you!
Project Manager
Haley Campbell, Senior Planner
541.726.3647
hcampbell@springfield-or.gov
Parking Regulation under Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities –Underway
Background
In March 2020, Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20-04 directing state agencies to take actions to reduce and regulate greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change while also centering the needs of Oregon’s most vulnerable communities. In response, the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission directed the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to draft updates to Oregon’s transportation and land use planning rules. The Commission adopted the Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) permanent rules on July 21, 2022.
Project Purpose
This project is implementing the parking component of a state mandate consisting of prescriptive rules with little room for flexibility. The Springfield City Council directed staff to proceed with the option that makes providing on-site parking voluntary for new developments as this is the most viable approach to complying with the rules. The code amendments will generally maintain existing parking standards that will continue to apply to provided parking, making some amendments to those standards as required by the CFEC rules.
For more project information and opportunities to comment and ask questions, visit the project’s Springfield Oregon Speaks page (https://springfieldoregonspeaks.org/projects/CFECParking).
The project objectives are to
- Comply with the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities requirements
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and housing
- Encourage alternative transportation methods other than single-occupancy vehicle trips
- Provide more climate-friendly transportation and housing options
FAQ – Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities Rulemaking Parking Requirements
This is about updating the rules for on-site parking in Springfield to comply with state requirements for Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC). These rules aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote transportation options while reducing reliance on the automobile.
The State’s goal for updating the parking requirements is to encourage alternative modes of transportation like walking, biking, and public transit. This helps reduce pollution and creates more environmentally friendly communities.
Springfield staff is preparing draft amendments to the Development Code. The Planning Commissions of Springfield and Lane County will hold public hearings on the proposed amendments and make a recommendation to the elected officials. The Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners will also hold a public hearing prior to adopting amendments that comply with the state rules. There will be opportunities throughout to provide input and be participate in the decision-making process.
There are several ways you can participate. You can visit the project page on Springfield Oregon Speaks to find information and updates. You can sign up for e-updates to receive project news. We also encourage you to provide feedback through comment forms, ask questions of staff, and testify during public hearings.
The proposed changes eliminate on-site parking requirements for new developments. This means developers will have the option to provide on-site parking but won’t be required to do so.
The rules for parking requirements are considered prescriptive because they come from state mandates that the City of Springfield must follow. These rules have specific standards that Springfield must include in its Development Code.
If you live or work in Springfield, you may see future developments choosing to provide less or no on-site parking which may increase the reliance and use of existing on-street parking. In some situations, an increased reliance on on-street parking may cause parking concerns around the Springfield community. In situations where parking becomes an issue, the City has the option of increasing enforcement and/or creating parking management plans to alleviate parking issues.
Absolutely! The City of Springfield is committed to involving the community in the decision-making process. There will be public hearings where you can share your thoughts and opinions. Additionally, you can provide feedback through comment forms and stay updated through project communications.
The timeline for implementing the changes will depend on the approval process. The goal is to have the new parking requirements in place by January 2024, but specific dates will be determined as the project progresses.
For more information, you can visit the project page at SpringfieldOregonSpeaks.org. You can sign up for e-updates to receive regular updates on the project. Additionally, you can reach out to Andrew Larson at ALarson@Springfield-or.gov for any specific questions you may have.
Project Timeline & Updates
Phase 1
Feb. – May 2023: Assemble internal Springfield CFEC code amendments project team, obtain approval of the Community Involvement Strategy from the Committee for Citizen Involvement, and draft code amendments.
Phase 2
June – Aug. 2023: Conduct community involvement and Planning Commission public hearing.
Sept. – Nov. 2023: City Council and Board of County Commissioners meeting to read a proposed adopting ordinance, hold a public hearing, and conduct deliberations.
December 2023: Notice of Adoption
Phase 3
January 2024: Implementation of new parking requirements.
Project Documents & Resources
Springfield Oregon Speaks – https://springfieldoregonspeaks.org/projects/CFECParking
Project Manager – City staff welcome all questions regarding the project. We are here to help!
Drew Larson, Planner II – Transportation
541-726-3661
alarson@springfield-or.gov
Springfield Development Code Update Project – Phases 1 and 2 Completed
Background
The Springfield City Council recognized that the Springfield Development Code was difficult to use, understand, and implement. The City undertook a project to resolve the complexities and outdated nature of the code to help achieve the economic and housing goals for our community. The City completed Phases 1 (Housing) and 2 (Employment) of the Update Project but has delayed the third Phase in order to focus on code revisions mandated by state rules and regulations.
Purpose of the Development Code Update Project
The Purpose of the Development Code Update Project was to change the Springfield Development Code to support efficient, timely, and clear development review. The updated Development Code will support Springfield’s economic development priorities and will honor Springfield’s hometown feel now and in the future.
The Project objectives were to:
- Enable quick review of development applications.
- Provide easy to understand code language presented in a clear and user-friendly format.
- Provide a straight-forward processing path to development decisions.
- Support/further economic development in all sectors.
- Protect and enhance the beauty of our city to boost or stabilize property values, encourage investment, and improve the image of the community.
- Comply with mandatory regulatory requirements including implementation of HB 2001.
- Implement the City’s adopted policies.
Phase 1 – Housing
This phase included code amendments focused on residential land uses. It included allowing Middle Housing on residentially zoned lots that allow single-unit dwellings as required by Oregon House Bill 2001 passed, in 2019. Middle Housing is defined as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and cottage clusters.
Phase 2 – Employment Lands:
Along with completing Phase 1 for housing , the City completed Phase 2 of the project to update the code related to employment lands (commercial/industrial). These amendments included revised code sections for Site Plan Review, Minimum Development Standards, Infrastructure Standards, and Development Standards.
Adoption of Phases 1 and 2
The Springfield City Council and Board of County Commissioners held a joint public hearing on the proposed code amendments for Phases 1 and 2 on April 25, 2022. The Council adopted the amendments on May 16, 2022, and the Board of County Commissioners adopted them on June 7, 2022. The adopted ordinance for the amendments (Ordinance No. 6443) can be found at the following link: http://laserfiche.springfield-or.gov/weblink/0/doc/4158497/Page1.aspx
Phase 3 – Other Sections of the Code
The last phase of the development code update would amend sections such as Annexations and Land Divisions. Implementation of this phase will occur as staff resources allow.
