What’s new this month?
- Major City zoning code changes – including DOZA, S2HC, and RIP – all become fully effective on August 1, 2021
- WPTC project staff to brief PSC on latest draft of new town center plan on August 10
- DOZA Lunch & Learn set for free virtual session on August 19
- Ezones Map Correction project set for PSC hearing on August 24
- Historic Resources Code Project invites public testimony on latest draft rules for designated landmarks
Useful resources
Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC)
- View tentative PSC agendas and upcoming meeting schedules.
- PSC meetings are still being held online. Meetings are streamed live, available on-demand, 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 agendas and sign up for weekly reminders
- City Council meetings are still being held online due to Covid-19 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.
PortlandMaps
Zoning, building permit, transportation, natural resource information, and more is available on PortlandMaps.com.
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
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 new zine, “A Dream Rezoned,” was recently published and tells the story of a Black family in Northeast Portland whose property was denied city permits, deemed a “blight” and bulldozed. The zine was created by four community members—Cleo and Kayin Talton Davis, Carolyn M. Leonard, and Sharita Towne—in partnership with the Portland Office of Civic Life and BPS. Read ‘A Dream Rezoned’ here.
Next opportunity to engage: 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.
Design Overlay Zone Amendments Project (DOZA)
What: Adopted on June 30, 2021, DOZA updates and improves the City’s design review process and regulatory tools. The changes allow more projects to go directly to the permit process and provide flexibility and variety to design standards. The zoning code and map changes went into effect on August 1, 2021.
Status: On June 30, the City Council unanimously adopted DOZA with amendments. The zoning code and zoning map changes became effective on August 1, 2021. Information on the adopted amendments and other updates are available on the project website.
Next opportunity to engage: The City is hosting a free online ‘lunch and learn’ information session about the recently-effective DOZA zoning code changes and how they affect new develop in design (‘d’) overlay zones. The session is on Thursday, August 19, 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Registration not required.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Code Project
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 still available. Work on code concepts began last fall and went through spring 2021. A technical advisory series of meetings concluded with a final meeting on June 29.
Next opportunity to engage: None at this time. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.
Ezone Map Correction Project
What: Correcting the location of environmental overlay zones (Ezones) to better align with rivers, streams, wetlands, floodplains, forests, steep slopes and wildlife habitat.
Status: SWCA Environmental completed an update of the wetland data, which will be used to correct the Ezones map. The wetland mapping was made available in late July for the public to review through the Ezone Map App. Staff presented the updated wetland data to the PSC during a work session on July 27. The PSC will hold a final public hearing on the wetland data on August 24.
Property owners that would like a site visit to confirm the location of streams, trees, and steep slopes must request one by August 25 and the site visit must be completed by September 10 to be included in this phase of the project. 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 will hold a public hearing on August 24 to hear testimony on the project. Check the upcoming PSC events to confirm dates and times. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.
Fossil Fuel Terminal Zoning Project
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
What: Historic resources provide tangible and meaningful connections to Portland’s past. The Historic Resources Code Project (HRCP) will update and improve the processes, regulations, and incentives that apply to the city’s most significant historic places.
Status: On May 4, the PSC voted unanimously to recommend City Council consider—and adopt—the Historic Resources Code Project amendments. On June 30, the revised Recommended Draft was released for public review and testimony in advance of a City Council hearing expected in fall 2021. Find affected properties and submit testimony on the Map App.
Next opportunity to engage: A City Council hearing is expected in fall 2021. Public testimony can be submitted via the Map App. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.
Lower Southeast Rising Area Plan
What: The Lower Southeast Rising Area Plan aims to address the historic lack of infrastructure investment in parts of Southeast and East Portland—including Brentwood-Darlington and portions of Mt Scott-Arleta, Woodstock and Lents—and seek community input to guide healthy community development.
Status: The project recently posted a project summary with goals and a timeline, and listed ways for the public to learn more and get involved. Meeting #1 with the Project Advisory Committee was held on June 29. Meeting materials and video from the May 26 kickoff are still available online.
Next opportunity to engage: Those interested can take a survey (in English and Español), read an existing conditions report and a market analysis report, sign up for email updates, and visit the project webpage. The next Project Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for September 27 at 6:00 pm.
Montgomery Park to Hollywood Transit and Land Use Development Strategy (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: The project team is developing a Discussion Draft for public review later in 2021.
Next opportunity to engage: None at this time. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.
Parkrose Community Plan
What: Historic Parkrose is leading work on the Parkrose Community Plan in partnership with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and other government and community partners to address topics such as safe streets, housing and displacement, access to jobs, community spaces, and emergency preparedness.
Status: On July 13, project staff gave a briefing on East Portland community priorities to the PSC. Video of the briefing starts at about 1:37. On July 20, the Parkrose Neighborhood Association hosted an open house. For more information about the plan, please visit the Historic Parkrose NPI website.
Next opportunity to engage: None at this time.
Residential Infill Project (RIP)
What: City Council adopted RIP, including the deeper affordability bonus and the historic resource demolition disincentive amendments, on August 12, 2020. Most changes — including rezones, new overlay zones, increased options for housing, and limits on building scale — went into effect on August 1, 2021.
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 that take advantage of RIP cannot be submitted prior to the August 1, 2021 effective date, the Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS) is now accepting inquiries related to the zoning code changes. See the BDS Residential Infill Project 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.
Shelter to Housing Continuum (S2HC)
What: Council adopted the S2HC zoning code amendments on April 28, 2021. These code changes expand options to address the needs of our city’s homeless population. Shelter-related elements took effect immediately upon adoption. Group living and RV/tiny house on wheels elements took effect on August 1, 2021.
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 took effect on August 1. Through a separate ordinance, City Council also extended the current housing emergency until April 2022. The adopted ordinance and supporting documents, exhibits, and findings are available on the project website.
Next opportunity to engage: None at this time. The remainder of the S2HC amendments, related to group living and RVs/tiny houses on wheels, became effective on August 1, 2021.
South Portland Area Planning
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: A racial equity analysis of the project led by BPS was completed in fall 2020, and a follow-up equitable development workshop was held virtually on July 28, 2021. Following the failure of Metro’s regional transportation funding measure in November 2020, 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: A draft land use plan is anticipated to be available for public review and comment in fall 2021, along with an online ‘open house’ guide to the project.
South Portland Historic District Design 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 fall via Zoom.
Contact: Brandon Spencer-Hartle, 503-823-4641, Brandon.Spencer@portlandoregon.gov
West Portland Town Center Plan
What: The West Portland Town Center (WPTC) Plan will lay out a vision for a healthy, connected, and multi-cultural town center and includes an action plan to meet the diverse needs of current and future residents and businesses.
Status: On August 10, project staff will give a briefing to the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC). Meanwhile, staff continues working on a Proposed Draft, expected in early August. The Community Advisory Group (CAG) will be invited to meet this summer. Previously, 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 2020 and comments were accepted until early December 2020. 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.
Next opportunity to engage: When the Proposed Draft is released in late summer 2021, a new public comment period will open and testimony can be provided to the PSC. Those interested can always sign up for WPTC email updates.