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Planning and Sustainability Commission close to voting on River Plan / South Reach Plan

News Article
Two toddlers wading in Willamette River in front of a docked motorboat
On June 23, Commissioners will hear from the Joint Office of Homeless Services and reopen testimony re: boating activities before voting to recommend the plan to City Council.
Published

Since a public hearing on Feb. 25, the Planning and Sustainability Commission met on March 10, May 12, and May 26 to discuss River Plan / South Reach testimony and staff proposals for discussion and recommendations.

On Tuesday, June 23, commissioners will hear from the Joint Office of Homeless Services. Then they will reopen testimony to ensure they can respond to questions about the City’s and other government agencies’ role and authority related to boating activities. They will consider testimony on additional recreational boating issues and review how river recreation is addressed in the plan.

Please confirm the PSC schedule one week prior to the hearing. You may also watch the public hearing (live stream and recorded). Access the PSC schedule and PSC’s YouTube channel from the PSC website.

Once testimony is closed, the Commission will discuss the testimony received that evening, and consider amendments to the enforcement of landscaping provisions along the riverbanks.

After discussion, the PSC will likely vote to recommend the plan (as amended) to City Council for a public hearing later in 2020.

How to testify

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PSC hearing will be held virtually. Because of the limitations of a virtual hearing, testifiers are strongly encouraged to submit testimony in writing, either by email, “snail” mail or via the Map App.

Testify at the virtual hearing

You can use a computer, mobile device or phone to testify during the hearing. You must register to testify. The deadline to register to testify is Monday, June 22 at 5 p.m. You will receive a confirmation email about joining the virtual hearing. Oral testimony is limited to 2 minutes per person unless stated otherwise at the hearing.

Submit written testimony on the Map App

Select River Plan/South Reach and click on the "Testify" button. Testifying in the Map App is as easy as sending an email. Once you press “submit,” you can see your testimony in the Testimony Reader in real time. You can also read other people’s testimony.

In writing via U.S. mail

Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission
1221 SW Fourth Avenue, Suite 7100, Portland, OR 97204
Attn: River Plan / South Reach testimony

Review the meeting materials

June 23 meeting materials — staff will release a packet of meeting materials at least one week before the meeting.

What’s next?

On July 16, the Portland Design Commission will hold a public hearing on River Plan / South Reach design recommendations. These recommendations would repeal the old Macadam Corridor Design Guidelines (1985), replace them with Citywide Design Guidelines (under deliberation by the PSC) and incorporate a Macadam Character Statement. The Design Commission recommendations will be included in the Recommended Draft that will go to City Council. See the Design Commission events page one week in advance for the meeting agenda and materials.