May 2021 – Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) Updates
A monthly snapshot of land use planning work going on in your neighborhoods. Please visit the specific project website and contact project staff with any questions.
What’s new this month?
- DOZA project going to City Council on May 12 at 2:00 pm
- Shelter to Housing Continuum code changes adopted by City Council on April 28
- E-Zone Map Correction PSC work sessions continue on May 4
- Historic Resources Code Project work session, possible PSC recommendation on May 4
- Anti-Displacement Action Plan releases Foundation Report
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 all public meetings are being held virtually 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.
Status: The ADAP Foundation Report was released at the end of April. The report presents the City’s current anti-displacement policy framework, analytical tools, and cross-bureau efforts to keep people in their homes as the city grows. The report also highlights anti-displacement efforts in other cities that could be useful for Portland.
Over the coming months, BPS will be working with a coalition of community groups to design a series of public workshops to build community capacity and engage residents on potential land use approaches to better combat displacement.
Next opportunity to engage: A PSC briefing is tentatively scheduled for June 8 to provide a project update. Community members interested in learning more about the project can sign up for project updates. Please also see Imagine Black’s website for more information on the community Anti-Displacement Coalition.
Contact: Kathryn Hartinger, 503-823-9714, Kathryn.Hartinger@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 City Council is holding a hearing on May 12 at 2:00 pm, to consider the unanimous recommendation from the PSC and the Design Commission in 2020. The Recommended Draft, which is their joint recommendation, was published in November and is available for review—including a guide to help break down its contents.
Next opportunity to engage: Public testimony for the May 12 City Council public hearing is being accepted via the MapApp. Individuals can also provide oral testimony at the City Council hearing, but must register in advance—no later than 4:00 pm on May 11. Those interested may also sign up for DOZA email updates.
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 Community Engagement Plan is now available. Work on code concepts began last fall and will go through the spring 2021.
Next opportunity to engage: A technical advisory series of meetings, open to the public, is scheduled through this spring. The next technical advisory meeting is May 25 at 10:00 am. Check the project events page for future dates and times. Those interested can always sign up for email 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: On January 26, an update of the proposed environmental zone maps was released. The updated maps reflect the results of site visits by staff and new wetland mapping. Staff gave a PSC briefing on February 9. A continuation of the PSC hearing was held on February 23.
There are two ways to view the Proposed Draft: Look up your property on the Ezone Map App; or download a copy of the documents.
Site visits are continuing this spring with new COVID-19 safety protocols in place. To request a site visit, go to the Ezone Map App, enter the property address, then scroll down on the right side of the screen and click the “Request Site Visit” button.
Next opportunity to engage: PSC work sessions are scheduled for May 4 and July 27. Check the upcoming PSC events to confirm dates and times. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.
Contact: ezone@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-4225
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 December 18, 2019. The ordinance was appealed to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) by the Western States Petroleum Association, Portland Business Alliance, Oregon Business and Industry, and Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council. In October 2020, LUBA remanded the case back to City Council for additional findings and policy interpretations. BPS is working to determine what additional evidence is needed to address these issues before returning to City Council for reconsideration.
Next opportunity to engage: None currently.
Contact: Tom Armstrong, 503-823-3527, Tom.Armstrong@portlandoregon.gov
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 in September. A PSC hearing was held on October 27 and continued to November 10. Written testimony was accepted through November 10 and is currently closed. PSC work sessions were held December 8, January 12, February 9, March 9, March 23, and April 27. The next PSC work session is May 4, at which time the PSC may take a vote to recommend the code package to City Council.
Next opportunity to engage: After considering amendments to the Proposed Draft at a series of work sessions, the PSC will make a recommendation to City Council in spring 2021 (possibly May 4), after which additional testimony will be invited. Find historic properties and review testimony on the Map App. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.
Contact: Brandon Spencer-Hartle, 503-823-4641, Brandon.Spencer@portlandoregon.gov
Lower Southeast Rising Area Plan www.portland.gov/bps/lower-se-rising
What: The Lower Southeast Rising Area Plan will assess land use and transportation issues faced by community members in portions of Ardenwald-Johnson Creek, Brentwood-Darlington, Lents, Mount Scott-Arleta, and Woodstock; and will identify possible interventions. This community-focused work will help:
- Explore potential new neighborhood commercial and housing opportunities and ways to prevent displacement;
- Link affordable housing, economic development, and business stabilization opportunities; and
- Enhance access to transit and pedestrian and bicycle network connectivity.
The final plan will consider potential zoning changes and develop implementation strategies related to transportation, land use, and community development.
Status: Work on the existing conditions report has begun and will go through the summer.
Next opportunity to engage: The project team is meeting with community groups and organizations to introduce the project and hear from the public. Those interested can also sign up for email updates.
Contact: Marty Stockton (BPS), 503-823-2041, Marty.Stockton@portlandoregon.gov; and
Bryan Poole (PBOT), 503-823-1173, Bryan.Poole@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. 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.
Status: Last summer, virtual open houses and information sessions were held on the urban design concepts for Northwest and Northeast Portland. A draft Public Comments Report is available.
Next opportunity to engage: The project team is developing a Discussion Draft for broader public review this spring. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.
Contact: Barry Manning (BPS), 503-823-7965, barry.manning@portlandoregon.gov; or
Zef Wagner (PBOT), 503-823-7164, Zef.Wagner@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, 2020, City Council adopted the Residential Infill Project (RIP), including the deeper affordability bonus and the historic resource demolition disincentive amendments. A limited number of changes related to confirming the eligibility of platted lots for development went into effect in September 2020. Most changes, including rezones, new overlay zones, increased options for housing, and limits on building scale will go into effect on August 1, 2021.
The RIP Map App is still available as a resource to learn more about specific changes to individual properties. On March 9, BPS staff held a scoping information session with the PSC for the next phase of the Residential Infill Project, referred to as RIP2, which will begin this summer.
While permit applications cannot be submitted prior to the August 1, 2021 effective date, the Bureau of Development Services is now accepting inquiries related to the RIP code changes. See the BDS Residential Infill page for contact information and development assistance.
Next opportunity to engage: None at this time. The adopted ordinance and supporting documents are available on the project web site.
Contact: Morgan Tracy, 503-823-6879, residential.infill@portlandoregon.gov
Shelter to Housing Continuum (S2HC) www.portland.gov/bps/s2hc
What: BPS, Housing Bureau, and Joint City-County Office of Homeless Services are partnering to retool City codes to better address the homelessness crisis. The project will further fair housing, expand shelter and housing options, and improve city code to aid shelter and housing providers.
Status: On April 28, City Council unanimously adopted the Shelter to Housing Continuum zoning code amendment package. The changes—which are intended to address the growing crisis of houseless Portlanders—expand where homeless shelters are allowed, add a new shelter format (outdoor shelters), and allow group living more broadly as well as occupancy of RVs and tiny houses on wheels. The shelter-related elements of the package go into effect immediately. The group living and RV/tiny house on wheels elements will take effect on August 1. Through a separate ordinance, City Council also extended the current housing emergency until April 2022.
Next opportunity to engage: None at this time.
Contact: Eric Engstrom, 503-823-3329, Eric.Engstrom@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: BPS has identified a range of land use and map changes to be recommended in the plan. Ongoing community engagement will help refine two development concepts for the Ross Island Bridgehead opportunity sites. A racial equity analysis of the project led by BPS is nearly complete.
During the early fall, BPS and PBOT staff gave a series of project briefings to the Planning and Sustainability, Design, and Historic Landmarks Commissions—culminating in an online public event on October 20. Videos and presentation slides from the three briefings and the October 20 public event are available on the project webpage.
Following the failure of Metro’s regional transportation funding measure, PBOT is putting their transportation projects on hold related to the Ross Island Bridgehead realignment and Naito Main Street. BPS staff is continuing to finalize the proposed development concepts for the bridgehead opportunity sites, completing the racial equity analysis, and drafting the land use plan.
Next opportunity to engage: None at this time.
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 on an as-needed basis 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 in the spring 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: A Discussion Draft of the West Portland Town Center Plan, reflecting past community feedback and technical elements to support the plan vision, was published in October and comments were accepted until early December. The October online open house and Discussion Draft are still available online. Public feedback on the Discussion Draft was generally positive, with nearly 200 community members answering the online questionnaire. Staff continues working on a Proposed Draft, expected in June. The Community Advisory Group (CAG) will meet again in late May/early June.
Next opportunity to engage: When the Proposed Draft is released in Spring 2021, a new comment period will open and testimony can be provided to the Planning and Sustainability Commission on the proposal. Questions can be emailed to wptc@portlandoregon.gov. Those interested can always sign up for WPTC email updates.
Contact: Joan Frederiksen, 503-823-3111, wptc@portlandoregon.gov