Planning Commission Meeting
Work & Regular Session
Pending
∙ Agenda item 1 of 2
Housing + Design Initiative Code and Plan Update
The Housing + Design Initiative Code and Plan Update is continuing the ongoing work of Springfield’s Housing Strategy by helping the City come into compliance with State housing-related statutes and rules. This project aligns with the City’s goals for facilitating housing production, affordability, and choice by reducing regulatory barriers. Particular attention is focused on amending the City’s Development Code to include clear and objective standards for Mixed-Use Districts as expressed in Springfield City Council Resolution No. 2023-28.
Files
Agenda Item Summary Housing and Design Code Amendments
( 0.13 MB )
Attachment 1 - Planning Commission Briefing Memo Housing and Design Code and Plan Amendments
( 0.24 MB )
Attachment 2 - Chapters 1 and 3 Legislative Version
( 0.89 MB )
Attachment 3 - Chapter 4 Legislative Version
( 0.82 MB )
Attachment 4 - Chapter 5 Legislative Version
( 0.38 MB )
Attachment 5 - Chapter 6 Legislative Version
( 0.27 MB )
Attachment 6 - Downtown Refinement Plan Legislative Version
( 0.87 MB )
Attachment 7 - East Main Refinement Plan Legislative Version
( 0.25 MB )
Attachment 8 - Gateway Refinement Plan Legislative Version
( 1.16 MB )
Attachment 9 - Presentation Slides PC Meeting Updated 4-30-26
( 1.75 MB )
Staff's Recommendation
In 2024, the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) contracted with Cascadia Partners to work with city staff on the Housing + Design Initiative. The first phase of the project was the code and plan audit, followed by the code and plan concepts, and finally the code and plan amendments. On May 20, 2025, the Planning Commission reviewed the draft code and plan audit for the Housing + Design Initiative. On September 16, 2025 the Planning Commission reviewed the draft code and plan concepts, which articulated the conceptual proposals for updating the development code to address the barriers and issues identified in the code audit.
The code and plan amendments are divided into two phases – Phase 1, includes code amendments to the Climate-Friendly Areas Overlay District, the Mixed-Use Districts, and the Commercial Districts. Phase 2 includes amendments to Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the code for state law compliance, general cleanup/simplification, and to remove barriers to housing production, affordability, and choice. The Plan Amendments to the Downtown, East-Main, and Gateway, Refinement Plans are also part of Phase 1 and will be shared at this work session. Note that this work session item will only cover the Phase 2 amendments and the Refinement Plans – The Phase 1 amendments were shared with the Planning Commission on February 18, 2026.
Decision Criteria
Each decision maker will follow the criteria below when voting on this item.
The proposed amendments will be reviewed as a Type 4 Legislative Amendment to the Development Code. To promote and enhance meaningful discussion and feedback, staff will provide an overview of the code and neighborhood refinement plan amendments and be available for questions. The Planning Commission will review the proposal at a public hearing this summer of 2026 and provide a recommendation to the City Council.
Public Comments
Commenting on this item has ended.
Online comments closed at 5:00 PM PDT 5/5/26.
No comments were received.
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