Action by Eugene, Ore., city council will enable University of Oregon to build more student housing
Key Highlights
- The Eugene City Council approved land-use changes that clear the way for the University of Oregon's East Campus expansion.
- Height limits for buildings in the area will increase from 45 to 85 feet.
- The university can now move forward with the construction of a five-story residence hall.
The Eugene, Oregon, City Council has approved a package of land-use changes proposed by the University of Oregon so it can build student housing on its East Campus.
Lookout Eugene-Springfield reports that councilors voted 5-3 to approve the proposal, which the university submitted more than a year ago. The ordinance includes a refinement plan amendment, code amendment and zone change for parts of the Fairmount neighborhood, an area known as East Campus.
The university can now move forward with the construction of a five-story residence hall, set for completion in 2028.
Specifically, the approval means:
- Height limits on buildings in the area will rise from the current 45-foot cap to 85 feet.
- More land will be rezoned as “institutional,” and the university can build residence halls without a separate conditional-use review.
City Councilor Alan Zelenka, who opposed the changes, argued that adding a pair of 800-bed residence halls will fundamentally change the neighborhood.
University officials, who have planned for eastward campus expansion since the 1960s, estimate East Campus can accommodate more than 3,600 new student beds.
University stakeholders argue the development is necessary to accommodate its future growth.