Lunch and Learn: Design Overlay Zone Amendments

Community Event
This free virtual session will provide more information on the recently adopted Design Overlay Zone Amendments and how they affect developments within the Design overlay zone.
12:00 pm 1:30 pm

The Design Overlay Zone Amendments (DOZA for short) update the processes and tools for areas within the Design overlay zone. Updates include:

  • Revising the thresholds that trigger the Design overlay zone and design review
  • Establishing new Citywide Design Guidelines to replace the Community Design Guidelines
  • Establishing new objective design standards to replace the Community Design Standards
  • Exempting small scale residential development (under four units) from Design overlay regulations

Registration is not required.


Information from the event

Questions & Answers from the event

Is it possible for an applicant to request Type III review for a project that does not meet the Type III thresholds, as an option?

  • Staff response – No.  If the code indicates a project is a Type II then it requires a Type II review.  Requesting a Type III review would be out of compliance with the zoning code.

Can you schedule an early assistance meeting specifically to see if you are meeting/interpreting the design standards correctly before permit submittal?

  • Staff response – Yes. There are a number of early assistance options available.  If the applicant is only seeking guidance on whether their proposal is meeting the objective design standards, they may apply for a Zoning-Only Early Assistance meeting or a Pre-Permit Zoning Plan Check. For more information, please see www.portland.gov/bds/zoning-land-use/early-assistance.

Has smooth-face polished CMU been eliminated from being allowed for anything except foundation material?

  • Staff response – No. All types of exterior finish materials may be evaluated as part of an application for discretionary design review. CMU is allowed as a foundation material when using the objective design standards and may also be used as a limited exterior finish material when combined with other materials from the approved materials list. For new buildings with a net building area of at least 5,000 square feet, exterior finish materials on 80 percent of the building must be materials listed on the approved materials list in Table 420-3 excluding windows and doors; up to 20 percent of the building may be other materials. However, there may be no more than one unlisted material used per facade.

Are any changes in requirements specific to design review as required in the City’s designated historic districts? Specifically asking about requirements for Old Town in the Central City which I believe would not be an applicable geography under DOZA?

  • Staff response – No.  The code changes associated with DOZA only apply to the Design “d” overlay zones that do not have a Historic Resource Protection overlay, like in Old Town.

Is it possible for an applicant to request Type III review for a project that does not meet the Type III thresholds, as an option?

  • Staff response – No.  If the code indicates a project is a Type II then it requires a Type II review.  Requesting a Type III review would be out of compliance with the zoning code.