In the spring of 2008, the City of Salem initiated a planning project to implement the adopted West Salem Neighborhood Plan recommendation for a new Neighborhood Center Mixed-Use (NCMU) Zone for a site located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Doaks Ferry Road NW and Orchard Heights Road NW, in the vicinity of West Salem High School.  Click here for a map of this area.

The NCMU zone is intended to encourage the development of appropriately scaled and pedestrian friendly neighborhood center developments. The NCMU zone supports existing and future residential development by allowing a variety of neighborhood-scaled retail, service, office, civic or recreational uses.

Although planned for initial implementation in West Salem, the proposed zone could possibly be used elsewhere in the City.

The initial phase of the implementation project included the development of Code Concepts which were developed based on key elements of mixed-use centers as envisioned in the adopted West Salem Neighborhood Plan and community and technical input received from West Salem residents, several West Salem community groups, and the Project Management Team.

 
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Martin

In order to ensure full participation in the planning process, a series of community forums and work sessions were conducted during the spring of 2010.  After significant public engagement, on July 20, 2010, the Planning Commission voted to forward the Neighborhood Center Mixed-Use (NCMU) Zone with modifications to the City Council for their review and adoption.

Unified Development Code (UDC) Format:

Prior to forwarding the proposed new NCMU Zone to City Council, city staff revised the proposed zone to reflect the UDC format. This revision resulted in two separated chapters for the NCMU Zone (SRC Chapter 532) and NCMU Master Plans (SRC Chapter 215).  On May 3, 2011, the Planning Commission reviewed the revisions and voted to forward NCMU Zone (SRC Chapter 532) and NCMU Master Plans (SRC Chapter 215) to the City Council for their review and adoption.

Interested in Learning More:

For additional information please contact the City of Salem Community Development Department’s Project Manager, Lisa Anderson-Ogilvie: (503) 588-6173 x7511 or lmanderson@cityofsalem.net.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

  September 26, 2011:
  Second Reading of Ordinance Bill
  City Council Chambers
  555 Liberty Street
  Salem, Oregon  97301
  6:30 p.m.
  Click here for the Supplemental Staff
  Report and Ordinance Bill No. 20-11
  Watch the September 12th public hearing

  For information on past meetings
  click here.