Eugene planners back microvillage and SRO code changes in unanimous straw poll

Planning commissioners gave staff unanimous support in a straw poll July 14 to advance a package of code amendments that would add a Microvillage housing type to Eugene’s land use code and align local rules for single‑room occupancies with recent state requirements.

Leah Rausch, senior planner, told the commission microvillages would allow very small dwelling units (under 400 square feet) clustered on a shared lot with community amenities such as kitchens, laundry and storage. Microvillage developments would be envisioned as larger projects — staff recommended a minimum of eight dwelling units and at least one community building — and could be organized as community land trusts to enable shared ownership models. Single‑room occupancies, Rausch said, are defined under state law as independently rented rooms that share cooking or sanitary facilities; the draft code would treat every four SRO or microvillage units as one dwelling for density calculations outside R‑1 zones, consistent with staff’s density approach.

Rausch also addressed public testimony on whether the draft aligns with changes in state law that require municipalities to allow SROs wherever single‑unit housing is allowed. Staff said the proposed language complies and explained an existing South Hills PUD limitation that caps development over 901 feet except on lots that existed as of Aug. 1, 2001; under the amendments, SROs of up to six units would be allowed on the same qualifying lots.

Commissioners pressed staff on specific design details. Several members argued that the proposed 15‑foot minimum dimension for indoor common open space is more restrictive than the state’s 10‑foot model and could limit flexibility; staff said the commission could recommend reducing the minimum dimension to 10 feet while retaining the proposed total minimum area (225 square feet), which offers more flexibility in shapes and design. Commissioners Beeson, Ramey and Edwards spoke in favor of aligning the minimum dimension with the state model for added flexibility.

Staff also proposed two targeted edits in response to testimony: explicitly allow SROs and microvillages in the Whitaker Special Area Zone (which the draft had inadvertently omitted), and clarify that the university‑area bedroom count limit does not apply to SROs to ensure the city’s code reflects state law. Rausch summarized the three proposed changes and the commission indicated unanimous support by show of hands in the straw poll. Staff said the items will return with refined code language and the commission’s recommendations for the formal record.

The commission’s straw poll is advisory; a formal recommendation to city council will be taken after further deliberations, with some related middle‑housing issues to be discussed at a July 28 meeting.