The City of Springfield is proposing updates to the Springfield Development Code as part of its Development Code Update Project. The proposed updates for Phase 1 – Housing and Phase 2 – Employment Lands of the Development Code Update Project are to help ensure that the Springfield Development Code is easy to understand, more streamlined, and supports development.
Additionally, the proposed changes will help the City implement changes that fit Springfield in response to the new state required middle housing laws (HB 2001) as well as other new state laws and will incorporate the new laws into the City’s code language. Middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters, and townhouses. These housing types are proposed to be allowed throughout the City’s residential areas including in traditional single unit home neighborhoods.
The City is seeking input from community members and invites them to provide feedback on the proposed changes. A joint public hearing will be held with Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of County Commissioners at 7 p.m., Monday, April 25, 2022, in-person at Springfield City Hall and an online meeting via Zoom.
Go to https://bit.ly/DevCodeUpdate to review the proposed changes and provide written comments prior to the joint public hearing. Complete meeting information and materials will be posted at least 7 days in advance of a meeting at https://springfield-or.gov/city/city-council-meetings/. If community members wish to make oral statements or provide verbal testimony it must be given at the joint public hearing.
Who: Residents, Springfield business and property owners
What: Joint Public Hearing regarding updates to the Springfield Development Code
When: 7 p.m., Monday, April 25, 2022
Where: https://springfield-or.gov/city/city-council-meetings/
Additional Information: Contact Mark Rust, Senior Planner, at 541.726.3654 or email at mrust@springfield-or.gov or the project page at https://bit.ly/DevCodeUpdate
Proposed Development Code updates include:
- Permitted Uses – Most residential housing types (duplex, triplex, fourplex, cottage cluster housing, and townhomes) would be allowed in all residential zones, however development of new single-unit homes would not be allowed in medium or high-density zones (MDR and HDR, proposed R-2 and R-3)
- Additionally, employment land uses will be revised to focus on broad categories of uses rather than detailed lists of specific uses.
- Bed & Breakfast, Boarding House Facilities will be replaced with Short Term Rental to include various categories of residential rental facilities
- Development Standards – Height limits, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, etc.
- Lot size – Proposed to be reduced to achieve planned density
- Remove Solar Setback Standards
Proposed Development Code updates do not include:
- Application/Permit fees
- System Development Charges (SDCs)
- Building Code requirements
- Fire Code requirements
- Infrastructure Improvement standards
- Storm water requirements; and
- Wetland and Floodplain standards.
View Frequently Asked Questions and additional information at https://bit.ly/DevCodeUpdate
Project Purpose and Background
The purpose of the Development Code Update project is 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 Development Code Update Project Technical Advisory Committee is charged with providing input, advice and recommendations for the project.