October 2019 – Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) Update
A monthly snapshot of land use planning work going on in your neighborhoods. Please visit the project website and contact project staff with any questions.
Useful resources
• Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC)
o View tentative upcoming PSC agendas and meeting schedule at: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/312882
o PSC meetings are usually held at the 1900 SW 4th Building, 2nd floor. Meetings are streamed live on youtube.com/c/portlandbps and tape delayed on Channel 30.
• City Council
o View upcoming City Council agenda items at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/article/378315
o City Council meetings are usually held in Council Chambers at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue and are broadcast live at: www.portlandoregon.gov/article/230361<http://www.portlandoregon.gov/article/230361
• Map App
You can look at interactive maps, submit testimony during testimony periods, and read submitted testimony through the BPS Map App at: https://www.portlandmaps.com/bps/mapapp/
• Portland Maps – Explorer
You can look at existing zoning, building permit, transportation and natural resource information and more on the interactive Portlandmaps.com Explorer map at: https://www.portlandmaps.com/bps/explorer/#/map/
Residential Infill Project (RIP) | www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/infill
What: Updating the rules that shape Portland’s residential neighborhoods, so more people can live in them, while limiting the construction of very large new houses
Status: The Residential Infill Project Recommended Draft is now available online for review (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/67730). This draft serves as the Planning and Sustainability Commission’s recommendation to City Council, which will hold a public hearing on this draft in the fall, followed by council deliberations, amendments, and decision. You can view the zoning proposals for individual properties by using the project Map App (www.portlandmaps.com/bps/mapapp).
The Residential Infill Project is being presented to City Council as part of a broader Housing Opportunities Initiative (HOI), which includes the Better Housing by Design project and a new Anti-Displacement Action Plan effort. In preparation for subsequent public hearings, staff briefed City Council on all three projects on September 3. Watch the briefing here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/video/player/index.html?v=1#
Residential Infill Project staff have analyzed two recently passed state bills to determine their effect on the PSC’s recommendation and ensure that RIP is in alignment:
HB2001 requires cities to allow for certain types of middle housing (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and cottage clusters) in single-dwelling zones by June 2022. While the project meets many of the bill’s requirements, it does not include proposals for middle housing in R10 and R20 zones. These zones, along with new standards for cottage clusters will be addressed in a follow up project ahead of the bill’s June 2022 effective date.
SB534 requires cities to allow houses on historically platted lots, including lots that are smaller than the minimum lot size for the zone. Development allowances are subject to certain limits relating to infrastructure, natural resources, and land hazards. This bill is effective on March 1, 2020.
Next opportunity to engage: City Council public hearings are anticipated for December, and the specific dates will be announced once they are scheduled.
Contact: Morgan Tracy, 503-823-6879, Morgan.Tracy@portlandoregon.gov
Better Housing by Design (BHD) | www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/betterhousing
What: Updating rules to expand housing options in Portland’s multi-dwelling zones and to improve the design and livability of new development.
Status: The initial City Council public hearing on the Better Housing by Design Recommended Draft was held on October 2. But not everyone was able to testify before the hearing closed, so the hearing is being continued to November 6 (see below).
The Better Housing by Design Recommended Draft is available online for review (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/79578). This draft serves as the Planning and Sustainability Commission’s recommendation to City Council. You can view the multi-dwelling zoning proposed for individual properties using the project Map App (www.portlandmaps.com/bps/mapapp).
Next opportunity to engage: City Council will hold a continuation of the public hearing on the Recommended Draft on Wednesday, November 6 at 2 p.m. at City Hall. You can provide verbal testimony at this hearing or submit written testimony through November 6 using the online Map App (www.portlandmaps.com/bps/mapapp). Check the Council Agenda to confirm hearing dates and times: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/article/730646
Contact: Bill Cunningham, 503-823-4203, betterhousing@portlandoregon.gov
River Plan / South Reach | www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/42548
What: Developing an updated vision and implementing maps, code and action items for the southern part of the Willamette River as well as Natural Resources and Scenic Resources protection plans
Status: Project staff are working with other City staff to develop the draft plan. A Discussion Draft for public review is being released in mid-October.
Next opportunity to engage: Public comments are sought on the River Plan/South Reach Discussion Draft in late November 2019. An open house on the Discussion Draft is scheduled for November 2 at the Center for Equity and Inclusion, 5757 SW Macadam Avenue, 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Contact: Jeff Caudill, 503-823-4572, Jeff.Caudill@portlandoregon.gov
Environmental Overlay Zone Map Correction Project | www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/e-zone
What: Correcting the location of environmental overlay zones to better align with rivers, streams, wetlands, floodplains, forests, steep slopes and wildlife habitat
Status: Draft ezones for all of Portland are now available for public review on the Ezone Map App (www.portlandmaps.com/bps/ezones/#/map/). The Discussion Draft project report will be available in November, and letters will be sent to affected property owners.
Next opportunity to engage: See project calendar for times and locations of open house events this fall. PSC to hold public hearings in 2020.
Contact: ezone@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-4225
Expanding Opportunities for Affordable Housing | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/78009
What: Identifying and supporting organizations interested in using their property to develop affordable housing, supported by a Community Planning grant from Metro
Status: The Discussion Draft for a small set of zoning code changes and Comprehensive Plan map and zoning map changes will be released by early November. Additionally, three community organizations have received consulting services to develop concepts for affordable housing development on their properties. A public forum to present those concepts will be held in the next few months.
Next opportunity to engage: Public comment on the Discussion Draft will start when it is released. Public hearings will be in Winter/Spring 2020.
Contact: Nan Stark, 503-823-3986, Nan.Stark@portlandoregon.gov
Historic Resources Code Project | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/58976
What: Updating the zoning code to change how the City identifies, designates and protects historic resources
Status: A Discussion Draft was released in January. Proposed changes establish new inventory and designation procedures as well as increased demolition protections and opportunities for adaptive reuse.
Next opportunity to engage: A revised Proposed Draft will be released in January 2019.
Contact: Brandon Spencer-Hartle, 503-823-4641, Brandon.Spencer@portlandoregon.gov
Design Overlay Zone Amendments Project (DOZA) | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/doza
What: Updating and improving both the process and tools used for design review
Status: Staff released the Proposed Draft on September 16, 2019.
Next opportunity to engage: A joint public hearing on the Proposed Draft is scheduled for October 22 at 12:30 p.m. with the Planning and Sustainability Commission and the Design Commission. You can provide verbal testimony at this hearing or written testimony through November 15 using the online Map App (www.portlandmaps.com/bps/mapapp)
Contact: Phil Nameny, 503-823-7709, Phil.Nameny@portlandoregon.gov
West Portland Town Center Plan | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/78949
What: Creating a vision and identifying actions to transition “the Crossroads” area into a healthy, inclusive and complete community. Work will cover housing and displacement, improved health and prosperity for low-income residents, transportation and stormwater improvements, economic development, zoning changes and urban design.
Status: A set of existing conditions memos covering health equity, urban form and demographics are now available online (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/79167). Staff continues to gather information and reach out to community members to hear their ideas, insights and concerns. The Community Advisory Group (CAG) continues to meet.
Next opportunity to engage: A Town Center Design Workshop is planned for Saturday, November 9, 2 - 5 p.m. at Markham Elementary School. All are invited! Next CAG meeting is Monday, December 2. CAG meeting materials are available online. Look out for staff holding office hours or tabling at community venues this fall.
Contact: Joan Frederiksen, 503-823-3111, Joan.Frederiksen@portlandoregon.gov
Naito-Ross Island Bridge Refinement Plan | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/78530
What: Refining land use, circulation and urban design along SW Naito and around the Ross Island Bridgehead in South Portland
Status: Information to come about opportunities to learn more and get involved.
Contact: Julia Gisler, 503-823-7624, Julia.Gisler@portlandoregon.gov
South Portland Historic District Design Guidelines | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/739159
What: New approval criteria for alterations, additions and new construction in the South Portland Historic District
Status: A Community Advisory Group (CAG) is meeting monthly to guide development of the draft approval criteria.
Next opportunity to engage: CAG meetings are open to the public, with time reserved for public comments at every meeting.
Contact: Brandon Spencer-Hartle, 503-823-4641, Brandon.Spencer@portlandoregon.gov
Parkrose-Argay Development Study | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/77843
What: Exploring opportunities to create a complete and connected neighborhood on the 30-acre site at NE 122nd Avenue and NE Shaver Street
Status: The project team is finalizing a summary report that will be presented to City Council later this year. The project also conducted a preliminary transportation impact analysis.
Next opportunity to engage: An informational briefing with the PSC was held on August 13, 2019. A briefing with City Council, including a final report and resolution, is expected December 11, 2019.
Contact: Barry Manning, 503-823-7965, Barry.Manning@portlandoregon.gov
Building Healthy Connected Communities Along the Division Transit Corridor | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/64377
What: Identifying and illustrating opportunities and actions to develop more complete communities along the Division Transit Corridor and throughout East Portland
Status: The final report was released on August 15 (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/739960). It focuses on three areas along the project alignment between SE 76th and the Gresham city limits near SE 174th: the Jade District, Division Midway and 162nd Avenue.
Next opportunity to engage: A City Council public hearing is anticipated in December 2019, and the date will be announced once it is scheduled.
Contact: Marty Stockton, 503-823-2041, Marty.Stockton@portlandoregon.gov
Bicycle Parking Project | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/70439
What: Updating the regulations for bicycle parking in new development
Status: PBOT staff, in conjunction with BPS, released the Recommended Draft in October 2019.
Next opportunity to engage: City Council hearing scheduled for November 13, 2019. You can provide verbal testimony at the hearing or written testimony using the online Map App (www.portlandmaps.com/bps/mapapp)
Contact: Sarah Figliozzi (PBOT), 503-823-0805 or Phil Nameny (BPS), 503-823-7709;
bicyclecodeupdate@portlandoregon.gov
Portland Off-Road Cycling Master Plan (ORCMP) | http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/70151
What: Developing a connected, citywide system of trails and bicycle parks to guide the City’s investments in off-road cycling facilities over the next 15 to 20 years
Status: The Parks Board has commented on the draft plan; BPS will make revisions before the plan goes to City Council for adoption in 2019.
Next opportunity to engage: City Council to hold a public hearing in 2019.
Contact: Tom Armstrong, 503-823-3527, Tom.Armstrong@portlandoregon.gov
Deconstruction Ordinance Amendments | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/68520
What: Proposing amendments to the existing deconstruction ordinance (Portland City Code Chapter 17.106)
Status: A draft of the proposed code language was released for public comment on July 25 (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/738080), which includes expanding the deconstruction ordinance to cover houses and duplexes built in or before 1940. The current ordinance requires deconstruction permits to demolish houses and duplexes built in or before 1916. Expanding the ordinance at this time is based on the goal of expanding the time period to 1940 by 2019, as well as input from the Deconstruction Advisory Group (DAG).
Next opportunity to engage: A City Council public hearing is scheduled for November 6, 2019.
Contact: Shawn Wood, 503-823-5468, Shawn.Wood@portlandoregon.gov
Neighborhood Contact Code Update | https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/74046
What: Improving how developers inform the public about new development
Status: Changes to the Neighborhood Contact requirements were adopted in May 2019, and the new policy goes into effect on December 2, 2019. All permits and land use reviews that are submitted to the Bureau of Development Services after this date will have to meet the new neighborhood contact requirements.
Montgomery Park to Hollywood Transit and Land Use Development Strategy https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/
What: Exploring options for a successful land use and transit system, including potential streetcar, linking Montgomery Park in NW Portland to the Hollywood Town Center. The project is a joint effort between the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) and the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT).
Status: The city received a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant to undertake this project, which is now in start-up phase. The project will assess land use and transportation issues and options, including affordable housing, economic development and business stabilization opportunities associated with potential transit investments. A consultant team will be selected later this fall to assist with land use and transportation planning elements. A Phase 1 study, Northwest Portland Streetcar Extension & Land Use Alternatives Analysis (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/743804), explored preliminary issues and options for the NW Portland component of the project in 2018-19.
Next opportunity to engage: A public engagement plan is being drafted to engage the community, including neighborhood and business associations, as well as many other community stakeholders. The engagement plan will be completed by the end of 2019.
Contact: Barry Manning (BPS), 503-823-7965, barry.manning@portlandoregon.gov or Kate Drennan (PBOT), 503-823-4599, kate.drennan@portlandoregon.gov