Welcome to “E-UPDATE” – a news brief to keep you informed of the work of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and to invite your participation. Please forward this “E-UPDATE” to members of your participating organization and to other interested individuals. |
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MIXED-USE: Coming to a neighborhood near you? Event to feature benefits, challenges, examples |
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What is mixed-use, and what are its benefits and challenges? You’re invited to find out at a special program on Tuesday, September 14, sponsored by the Coalition’s Land Use Action Team and the League of Women Voters of Corvallis. The program begins at 7:00 pm and can be accessed online at https://lwv.corvallis.or.us/events/. |
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Following a brief presentation about mixed-use in Corvallis, audience members will be invited to pose questions to panelists representing different interests related to mixed-use. This type of development is expected to become more prevalent in Corvallis in the coming years, so it’s important for us to understand both the benefits and challenges of mixed-use and to voice our views. Mixed-use neighborhoods blend residential, commercial, and retail uses, and dining and entertainment options. They hold the promise of creating a more compact, walkable community requiring less driving and, therefore, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Mixed-use neighborhoods also facilitate interactions among neighbors. There are already mixed-use zones in Corvallis and a few projects exist, but the real promise has yet to be realized. For the last two years, a Departmental Advisory Committee (DAC) composed of Corvallis community members has been providing feedback to the Corvallis Community Development Department as it updates the mixed-use zoning requirements to make them less complex and more user friendly. The DAC’s discussions involve identifying appropriate locations, building heights and types, dwelling density, nonresidential uses, green space and common areas, parking, and associated land uses. At the September 14th event, the proposed mixed-use requirements will be presented by Corvallis Senior Planner Rian Amiton. A panel comprised of Rian, local builder Alan Ayres, and Corvallis commercial real estate broker Alan Wells will discuss examples of successful mixed-use in Oregon and the benefits and challenges of this type of development. They will also address the community’s concerns. This event provides a chance for community members to ask questions and give feedback to the City and developers. In addition, the City will be offering an opportunity for public comment on Land Development Code amendments to mixed-use zones in the very near future, so stay tuned! |
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