Ezone Map Correction Project public hearing postponed and new draft ezones are ready for public review

News Article
The rescheduled February 23 public hearing with the Planning and Sustainability Commission will cover the most current draft of proposed environmental zones, which reflect recent site visits to individual properties and new wetland mapping.
Published

On July 28, 2020 the Planning and Sustainability Commission heard 36 people testify orally (via Zoom) and received another 246 pieces of written testimony on proposals that would update Portland’s environmental zones. They then voted to continue the hearing to December 8 to allow time for more people to testify on the proposals.

Subsequently, staff briefed the PSC on September 8 regarding issues raised in the testimony and provided an update about their recent site visits to over 100 additional properties. At the end of that briefing, the Commission decided to postpone the continued hearing to February 23, 2021. This will allow staff time to complete requested site visits.

Revised Ezone Map ready for review

Additional site visits from September through December 2020 and newly mapped wetlands added by the Wetlands Inventory Project have changed some of the boundaries and locations of ezones throughout the project area. These changes are now reflected in the Ezone Map App, and property owners are invited to look up their address to view where the proposed conservation or protection overlay zones are mapped on their property.

What’s next?

Early next year, project staff will brief the PSC again to update them on the site visit work and the proposed zone changes.

Check the project calendar to confirm the dates and times for the briefings. And watch the briefings (live stream and recorded) on the PSC’s YouTube channel.

Learn more

The Ezone Map Correction Project is correcting the maps of conservation and protection overlay zones (ezones) to better align with existing rivers, streams, wetlands, flood areas, vegetation, steep slopes and wildlife habitat and modifying the code in a few situations. This will not only protect Portland’s natural resources but will reduce risks to our homes, buildings, roads and other infrastructure from flooding and landslides.

There are two ways to view the Proposed Draft:

  1. Look up your property at the Portland Maps app. Click on “Ezone Project” and insert your street address.
  2. Download a copy of the documents.