Designating Climate-Friendly Areas: A Look Into the Process

Climate-Friendly Areas are higher-density areas of the city where people can live, work, and play without relying on a car. Learn more about Climate-Friendly Areas here.

Climate-Friendly Areas Designation Process

Step 1: Study

In 2023, Eugene will identify potential and study the most promising locations for Climate-Friendly Areas across the city. This study is primarily a technical analysis, considering certain state requirements and where in Eugene can meet those criteria.

An important part of selecting Climate-Friendly Areas will be engaging historically marginalized communities to identify any areas where people might be at risk of being displaced from increased development and propose strategies to prevent or mitigate displacement.

Step 2: Select and Adopt

In 2024, we’ll begin the process to select Eugene’s Climate-Friendly Areas. Selection will include community engagement, a recommendation from Planning Commission, and a decision from Council to adopt the final Climate-Friendly Areas.

Adoption will require revisions to the Eugene Land Use Code, as well as revisions to the Envision Eugene Comprehensive Plan – which staff expect will include two new chapters for Housing and Compact Development, as well as revisions to the Eugene Transportation System Plan.

City staff intend to adopt these plan and code amendments alongside Eugene’s next Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) analysis, which is scheduled to be adopted in 2026.

Step 3: Evaluate and Increase

Climate-Friendly Area designation will not be static. The City will monitor and potentially increase areas under this designation during future UGB analyses. Climate-Friendly Areas will function as an important land use efficiency measure, which is a strategy for more compact development within the current UGB.

Stay involved with the Climate-Friendly Areas designation process by signing up for the EUG Planning Newsletter or following the project on Engage Eugene. There will be opportunities for community members to weigh in on the most promising areas when the study is available in Summer 2023.