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Land Use <br />This section describes existing land uses, zoning regulations, and development standards for the <br />study area and both of the alternative sites. In addition, applicable city land use planning policies <br />are discussed. Although the law does not require GSA to comply with local land use <br />requirements, GSA does consider local land use policies and regulations that do not interfere <br />with the agency's mission and regulations. <br />The land use plans for Springfield, Eugene, and Lane County show a consistent emphasis on <br />concentrating commercial development in downtown areas to ensure that the city centers provide <br />healthy, vibrant business districts for the economy of the cities and county. The benefits of <br />providing such downtown cores include limiting urban sprawl, reducing dependence on the <br />automobile, and encouraging mass transit, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation uses. <br />Affected Environment <br />Land Use Policies and Regulations <br />The Lane Council of Governments is an advisory organization without regulatory authority that <br />provides planning and research services regarding land use, transportation, public safety, <br />economic analysis, public infrastructure funding, and geographic data system management (Lane <br />Council of Governments 1999b). The organization also administers multi jurisdictional <br />programs, with a focus toward seniors and persons with disabilities. <br />The Eugene-Sprin~eld Metropolitan General Plan (called the Metro plan) provides broad <br />public policy direction for the entire metropolitan area and covers many of the same topics <br />addressed in the Eugene growth management study, including land use, housing, the economy, <br />the environment, transportation, urban design, and parks and open space. The neighboring cities <br />of Eugene and Springfield issued a consolidated plan in 1995 that describes a 5-year strategy to <br />specifically address housing and community development needs and priorities. <br />The primary tool for guiding development in the city of Springfield is the land use code in <br />conjunction with a number of refinement plans, including the Downtown Refinement Plan, <br />Q Street Refinement Plan, East Main Refinement Plan, Gateway Refinement Plan, East Kelly <br />Butte Refinement Plan, Mid-Sprin~eld Refinement Plan, and Glenwood Refinement Plan. <br />These plans define along-range vision for specific areas and offer the opportunity to examine the <br />area's future public facilities and transportation needs, as well as resolve potential conflicts <br />i. - between adjoining land uses. The mission statement of the Springfield Development Services <br />Department is "to foster lasting community livability, involving and reflecting Springfield's <br />values, interests, and concerns." <br />i; <br />The primary tool for guiding development within Eugene is the city land use code, the purpose <br />of which is to "protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the public and to <br />,__ <br />New Federal Courthouse l 19 Final EIS <br />r_ <br />.' <br />