October 2020 – Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) Updates
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.
What’s new this month?
- Dark Skies final report accepted by City Council; this will be the final update.
Useful resources
- Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC)
- View tentative PSC agendas and upcoming meeting schedules.
- PSC meetings are temporarily being held online. Meetings are streamed live and tape delayed on Channel 30.
- Check individual project pages or the PSC calendar for details on testifying via video conference.
- City Council
- View upcoming City Council agenda items
- City Council meetings are temporarily being held online and are broadcast live.
- Map App
You can look at interactive maps, submit testimony during testimony periods, and read submitted testimony through the BPS Map App.
- 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.
COVID-19 IMPACTS: Please be aware that public meetings are being cancelled or rescheduled for public health and safety, so be sure to check the calendars on specific project pages for meeting updates and the latest information.
Anti-Displacement Action Plan www.portland.gov/bps/adap
What: The Anti-Displacement Action Plan (ADAP) aims to increase the resiliency of the city and our communities to deal with racial and economic disparities that contribute to displacement.
As part of ADAP, an Anti-Displacement Task Force (ADTF) is forming to provide community-led, citywide leadership, policy development, coordination and collaboration that centers racial equity in the City’s anti-displacement and equitable development policies.
Status: Recruitment for the Anti-Displacement Task Force is ongoing. Interested individuals and organizations should contact project staff for presentations and outreach materials. When the official application process opens, the application will be found on the Civic Life webpage.
The Task Force will be composed of 12 to 15 community members and cross-bureau City leadership, working together to recommend actions for City Council to address housing and commercial displacement. The group will start meeting in the fall.
Next opportunity to engage: The Task Force work is expected to start in January 2021. Community members interested in learning more about the project can sign up for project updates. Please also see PAALF’s website for more information on the community Anti-Displacement Coalition.
Contact: Kathryn Hartinger, 503-823-9714, Kathryn.Hartinger@portlandoregon.gov
Shelter to Housing Continuum (S2HC) www.portland.gov/bps/s2hc
What: Reducing code barriers in order to provide more opportunities to transition from temporary shelter to permanent housing. The S2HC project will make recommendations to provide additional siting opportunities for temporary and transitional shelters and to allow more affordable forms of housing. Title 33 (Zoning Code) and several other titles of the City Code will be amended. No plan or zone maps will be amended. Major changes include adding a new Outdoor Shelter use under the Community Service category and expanding opportunities for Group Living.
Status: A draft report and proposed code changes are now available for review. A PSC briefing is scheduled for November 10 and a PSC hearing is scheduled for December 8. PSC work sessions are scheduled for January 12 and 26, 2021, with a possible PSC recommendation on January 26.
Next opportunity to engage: Public comment on the report is now open through the MapApp. Those interested can also sign up for S2HC email updates.
Contact: Al Burns, 503-823-7832, A.Burns@portlandoregon.gov
Fossil Fuel Terminal Zoning Project www.portland.gov/bps/fossil-fuel-zoning
What: Restricts the development and expansion of bulk fossil fuel terminals. Zoning Code amendments were adopted by the Portland City Council on Dec. 14, 2016. That ordinance was appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court and went back to City Council.
Status: City Council voted to adopt the ordinance on Dec. 18, 2019. The ordinance was appealed to LUBA by the Western States Petroleum Association, Portland Business Alliance, Oregon Business and Industry, and Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council. The LUBA hearing took place on July 14. A decision is expected by late October.
Next opportunity to engage: None currently.
Contact: Tom Armstrong, 503-823-3527, Tom.Armstrong@portlandoregon.gov
Dark Skies Project www.portland.gov/bps/dark-skies
What: Reducing negative impacts on human and ecosystem health and safety as well as energy waste, and increasing our ability to see the night sky.
The project will make recommendations to reduce the amount of poorly aimed, poorly shielded, and overly bright lights in Portland. The project will focus on light pollution associated with new and existing development on private or publicly owned property, signs and City-owned buildings and facilities, including streetlights. Staff will also address light pollution through public awareness, outreach and education.
Status: The final report was accepted by City Council on September 17.
Next opportunity to engage: Project completed. This will be the final update.
Contact: Shannon Buono, 503-823-7662, shannon.buono@portlandoregon.gov
Design Overlay Zone Amendments Project (DOZA) www.portland.gov/bps/doza
What: Updating and improving both the process and tools used within the design overlay zone. The project includes changes to the zoning code, zoning map, and the citywide design guidelines.
Status: The DOZA Project received unanimous approvals from the PSC on July 14 and the Design Commission on June 18. Both the PSC and the Design Commission are charged with making a recommendation to the Portland City Council. Staff is working to incorporate their decisions into the Recommended Draft, which will be published in late 2020.
Next opportunity to engage: BPS staff is now incorporating the PSC and Design Commission recommendations into a Recommended Draft and drafting an ordinance to present to City Council. The City Council hearing dates will likely take place in 2021.
Contact: Phil Nameny, 503-823-7709, Phil.Nameny@portlandoregon.gov
Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Code Project www.portland.gov/bps/ev-ready
What: The project seeks to expand zero-emission transportation options for individuals and households beyond what the market is doing today, specifically in multi-dwelling housing. The project will explore Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements for multi-dwelling and other residential development. The EV Ready Code Project will help implement policy direction from the EV Strategy through changes to the zoning code.
Status: The Urban Sustainability Directors Network grant-funded Electric Vehicle Access to Renters effort has concluded. More information and to view materials from the Electric Vehicle Access to Renters effort are available online.
Next opportunity to engage: Code concepts and impact analysis work will begin this fall. Community members interested in learning more about the project can sign up for project updates.
Contact: Ingrid Fish, 503-823-4326, Ingrid.Fish@portlandoregon.gov; and
Marty Stockton, 503-823-2041, Marty.Stockton@portlandoregon.gov
Environmental Overlay Zone Map Correction Project www.portland.gov/bps/ezones
What: Correcting the location of environmental overlay zones (ezones) to better align with rivers, streams, wetlands, floodplains, forests, steep slopes and wildlife habitat.
Status: The Planning and Sustainability Commission held a public hearing on July 28 and received a briefing on September 8. The public hearing is continued to February 23, 2021. Site visits are continuing through the fall with new COVID-19 safety protocols in place.
Next opportunity to engage: The public can provide written testimony on the Proposed Draft via the MapApp starting in January 2021. The next public hearing will be on February 23.
Contact: ezone@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-4225
Historic Resources Code Project www.portland.gov/bps/hrcp
What: Updating the City’s zoning regulations pertaining to the identification, designation, protection, and reuse of historic resources. Proposed changes include:
- refining the historic resource review exemptions, procedures, and criteria;
- expanding demolition review to City-designated Historic and Conservation Landmarks and Districts that are currently subject to demolition delay;
- amending demolition review approval criteria;
- expanding regulatory incentives to allow for the adaptive reuse of designated resources; and
- increasing emphasis on the importance of cultural and social history when new resources are determined eligible for designation.
Status: The Proposed Draft was released mid-September for public review and testimony before the Planning and Sustainability Commission. Testimony is accepted through October 27.
Next opportunity to engage: A public hearing before the Planning and Sustainability Commission is scheduled for October 27. Testifiers must sign up by 5:00 p.m. on October 26 to provide virtual testimony. Testimony can be submitted on the MapApp.
Contact: Brandon Spencer-Hartle, 503-823-4641, Brandon.Spencer@portlandoregon.gov
Montgomery Park to Hollywood Transit and Land Use Development Strategy (MP2H) www.portland.gov/bps/mp2h
What: Exploring options for a successful land use and transit system, including potential streetcar linking Montgomery Park in Northwest Portland to the Hollywood Town Center in Northeast Portland. The project is a joint effort between BPS and PBOT.
Status: 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, including possible extension of the Portland Streetcar. A consultant team is assisting with land use and transportation planning elements. The project has concluded the Urban Design Concepts phase, during which the community was asked to consider possible alternative land use development scenarios for the Northwest study area, and possible streetcar/transit alignment alternatives for the Northeast study area. The project team will be working on a Preferred Alternative for the fall.
Next opportunity to engage: The project held virtual open houses on the urban design concepts for Northwest and Northeast Portland. The concepts provide information on possible land use development scenarios for the Northwest study area, as well as possible streetcar/transit alignment alternatives for the Northeast study area.
With input from the public, the project working group, and other stakeholders, the project team is developing a Discussion Draft Preferred Alternative for further public review this fall.
Contact: Barry Manning (BPS), 503-823-7965, barry.manning@portlandoregon.gov; or
Kate Drennan (PBOT), 503-823-4599, kate.drennan@portlandoregon.gov
Residential Infill Project (RIP) www.portland.gov/bps/rip
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: On August 12, City Council voted to adopt the Residential Infill Project (RIP), including the deeper affordability bonus and the historic resource demolition disincentive amendments. A limited number of changes will go into effect on September 11. These changes relate to confirming platted lots and implement last year’s State Senate Bill 534. The bulk of the changes, including rezones, new overlay zones, increased options for housing, and limits on building scale are slated to go into effect on August 1, 2021.
Notice of Adoption of a Post Acknowledgement Plan Amendment for the project was filed with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development on August 13.
Next opportunity to engage: The record for testimony has closed. The adopted ordinance and supporting documents are available on the project web site.
Contact: Morgan Tracy, 503-823-6879, Morgan.Tracy@portlandoregon.gov
River Plan / South Reach www.portland.gov/bps/river-plan/south-reach
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: On June 23, the Planning and Sustainability Commission voted to forward the River Plan/South Reach Proposed Draft, as amended, to City Council for adoption. On July 23, the Design Commission voted to forward the Macadam area design recommendations to City Council as part of River Plan / South Reach.
Along with the River Plan / South Reach, the PSC recommended amendments to the Willamette River Greenway Inventory, originally reviewed and amended in March of 2019, and will next be considered by City Council. After the PSC amended the inventory, BPS staff decided to wait on moving it to City Council until the River Plan / South Reach was also ready for City Council consideration. Given the relationship between these two documents, addressing them through a shared process was appropriate.
Next opportunity to engage: The City Council public hearing on the River Plan / South Reach will be held virtually on November 4 at 2 p.m. Please register in advance to testify during the City Council hearing. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the virtual hearing. The deadline to sign up for the November 4 Council hearing is Tuesday, November 3 at 4 p.m. The River Plan / South Reach Recommended Draft and the PSC-Recommended Willamette River Greenway Inventory will be available on their respective project webpages and included in the public hearing.
Contact: Jeff Caudill, 503-823-4572, Jeff.Caudill@portlandoregon.gov
Shelter to Housing Continuum (S2HC) www.portland.gov/bps/s2hc
What: Reducing code barriers in order to provide more opportunities to transition from temporary shelter to permanent housing. The S2HC project will make recommendations to provide additional siting opportunities for temporary and transitional shelters and to allow more affordable forms of housing. Title 33 (Zoning Code) and several other titles of the City Code will be amended. No plan or zone maps will be amended. Major changes include adding a new Outdoor Shelter use under the Community Service category and expanding opportunities for Group Living.
Status: A draft report and proposed code changes are now available for review. A PSC briefing is scheduled for November 10 and a PSC hearing is scheduled for December 8. PSC work sessions are scheduled for January 12 and 26, 2021, with a possible PSC recommendation on January 26.
Next opportunity to engage: Public comment on the report is now open through the MapApp. Those interested can also sign up for S2HC email updates.
Contact: Al Burns, 503-823-7832, A.Burns@portlandoregon.gov
South Portland Area Planning www.portland.gov/naito-mainstreet
What: Working with PBOT and community members to develop land use, circulation and urban design plans around the Ross Island Bridgehead in South Portland, and featuring a Naito Main Street Plan. This effort is part of BPS’s Southwest Corridor Inclusive Communities Project.
Status: The project was partially on hold while PBOT recalibrated their project scope and timeline, including a final community engagement event this fall. BPS has identified a range of land use and map changes to be recommended in the plan. After community engagement is restarted, two development concepts for the Ross Island Bridgehead opportunity sites will be refined.
A racial equity analysis of the project led by BPS is underway. Helping inform the analysis are neighborhood residents and a broader group of stakeholders representing people who have been historically harmed and displaced by previous transportation projects and urban renewal activities in the South Portland neighborhoods. Technical Advisory Committee members will also participate in the process.
On September 22, project staff gave a briefing to the Planning and Sustainability Commission. The briefing is available on YouTube and the presentation slides are available via Efiles.
Next opportunity to engage: Two more project briefings are scheduled: one to the Design Commission on October 8 at 1:30 pm, and another to the Historic Landmarks Commission on October 12 at 1:30 pm. The final public event involving PBOT is scheduled for October 20 starting at 5:30 pm.
Contact: Kevin Bond, 503-823-1112, Kevin.Bond@portlandoregon.gov
South Portland Historic District Design Guidelines www.portland.gov/bps/sphd-guidelines
What: New approval criteria for alterations, additions and new construction in the South Portland Historic District.
Status: A Community Advisory Group (CAG) is meeting bimonthly 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. The next CAG meeting will be held late summer 2020 via Zoom.
Contact: Brandon Spencer-Hartle, 503-823-4641, Brandon.Spencer@portlandoregon.gov
West Portland Town Center Plan www.portland.gov/bps/wpdx-town-center
What: The West Portland Town Center Plan will articulate the community and City’s vision for transforming the West Portland area into a healthy, inclusive, people-centered place. 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: The emerging draft plan reflects community feedback from the past year and includes technical elements and actions to make the collective vision a reality. Release of a Discussion Draft is planned for late September. The Community Advisory Group (CAG) continues to meet through early September to guide development of the plan.
Next opportunity to engage: On October 27, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, all are invited to participate in this community forum hosted by Neighborhood House to learn more about the West Portland Town Center Plan work underway and hear panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities for creating healthy and inclusive communities where we live, play and work.
Contact: Joan Frederiksen, 503-823-3111, Joan.Frederiksen@portlandoregon.gov