Development Code Update Project

Welcome to the project page for the City of Lowell’s Development Code Update Project.  The project is to amend the development code in order to implement the Downtown Master Plan.  The goals of the project are to increase walkability, encourage housing diversity, encourage downtown development and improve connectivity to parks, schools and other community assets.  We will post all relevant information about the project on this page to keep the public informed and engaged.  Please visit the website periodically for the latest information.  You can also receive updates by subscribing to our email list at https://www.ci.lowell.or.us/subscribe.

The documents listed below are same documents that the Planning Commission received in their packets for the January 4, 2023, Planning Commission public hearing. After receiving the staff report and public testimony, the Planning Commission passed a motion to continue the hearing until February 15, 2023.

The meeting agenda and packet for the February 15, 2023 Planning Commission meeting are now online: 

https://www.ci.lowell.or.us/bc-planning/page/planning-commission-regular...

The meeting agenda and packet for the March 21, 2023 City Council meeting are now online. The packet for this meeting and information on this page contains the most up-to-date version of the development code and comprehensive plan updates:

https://www.ci.lowell.or.us/administration/page/city-council-regular-mee...

Here's an explanation of each of the documents listed below under "Supporting Documents":

• Adopted Downtown Master Plan 
  • The main goal of the code update project is to implement and codify the recommendations of the Downtown Master Plan and accompanying Regulating Plan. The Downtown Master Plan was adopted by City Council in 2019.
• Exhibit A: Findings for code adoption
  • The drafting findings provide the factual and statutory basis for processing and approving the amendments.
• Exhibit B: Draft ordinance for text amendments to development code and comprehensive plan
  • If the amendments are approved, they must be formally adopted by ordinance. This ordinance will officially amend the text of the development code and the comprehensive plan.
• Exhibit C: Draft ordinance for rezoning to implement new zoning map
  • If the amendments are approved, there are other maps and rezones that must also occur as a result of the amended development code. This ordinance will approve the rezones for properties within the boundaries of the Regulating Plan and adopt a new zoning map due to those changes.
• Exhibit D: Marked up version of proposed code amendments
  • This is a version of the development code showing all proposed changes.  
• Exhibit E: Proposed amendments to comprehensive plan
  • This is a version of the comprehensive plan showing all proposed changes. The amendments to the comprehensive plan are minor and only intended to insert the new zoning districts and remove old ones.  
• Exhibit F: Proposed new zoning map
  • This is a draft of what the new zoning districts map will look like once adopted.
• Exhibit G: Proposed new downtown regulating plan
  • This is a version of the revised Regulating Plan. This version is not substantially different from the version adopted and included in the Downtown Master Plan. Because of minor changes to the Regulating Plan, the newest version should be adopted and old version replaced.
• Exhibit H: Written comments received
  • These are the written public comments received. We will add comments to this file as they are received.
• January 4, 2023 Planning Commission power point presentation
  • This is a copy of the power point slides that staff presented to the public and planning commission on January 4 at the public hearing.
• January 25, 2023 memo to Planning Commission on minimum lot sizes 
  • This is a memo from the city's planning consultants that provides an background on the proposed amendments to minimum lot sizes in the City of Lowell's R-1 and R-3 zoning districts.
• February 15, 2023 presentation to Planning Commission.
  • This is the staff presentation to Planning Commission at the February 15, 2023 meeting.
•  February 15, 2023 recommendation to City Council
  • This is hte Planning Commission's final recommendation to City Council.