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.

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 was 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 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 include:

• 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.

Adoption of Amendments

The Springfield City Council and Board of County Commissioners held a joint public hearing on the proposed code amendments on November 6, 2022. The Council adopted the amendments on November 20, 2022 and the Board of County Commissioners adopted them on December 12, 2022. The adopted ordinance for the amendments (Ordinance No. 6464) and additional project information can be found at the following link: https://springfieldoregonspeaks.org/projects/stormwater-requirements-update

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 – Adopted and Effective January 1, 2024

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, with clarifying amendments on Nov. 2, 2023.

Project Purpose

The project implemented the parking component of a state mandate consisting of prescriptive rules with little room for flexibility. The Springfield City Council directed staff to remove off-street vehicle parking requirements from the Springfield Development Code, however, this does not preclude property owners from providing on-site parking voluntary for new developments. The code amendments generally maintain existing parking development standards, e.g., landscaping, property access from the right of way, stormwater treatment, paving requirements, etc., when parking is voluntarily provided while amending those standards as required by the CFEC rules.

For more project information including frequently asked questions and the final ordinance with adopted code amendments, visit the project’s Springfield Oregon Speaks page:  (https://springfieldoregonspeaks.org/projects/CFECParking).

The project objectives include:

• 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.

Parking Reform Effective Date – January 1, 2024

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

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

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.