December 2022 – Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) Project Updates

News Article
A monthly snapshot of BPS's active land use planning work going on throughout the City of Portland. Please see the project updates and websites below for more details, and to find contact information for the appropriate project staff.
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What’s new this month?

Useful resources

Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC)

City Council

Map App

Look at interactive maps, submit testimony during testimony periods, and read submitted testimony through the BPS Map App interactive tool.

PortlandMaps

Zoning, building permit, transportation, natural resource information, and more is available on PortlandMaps.com.

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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: A cross-bureau team of City staff continues to work internally to develop tools that better align City bureau strategies and actions to combat displacement and produce more equitable outcomes for communities. Staff is also working with the Anti-Displacement Coalition to support development of a civic leadership curriculum and a series of public workshops.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. Those interested can always sign up for project updates.

Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands Ezones Project

What: Correcting the location of environmental overlay zones (Ezones) in the Columbia Corridor and other industrial areas to better align with rivers, streams, sloughs, wetlands, floodplains, forests, and wildlife habitat.

Status: Project staff have published an interactive online map of preliminary draft Ezones that is based on the Natural Resource Inventory. The natural resource mapping is subject to onsite verification at the request of property owners, and the draft Ezones mapping may change as the project progresses. Project staff will coordinate their work with the upcoming citywide economic opportunity analysis to provide adequate protection for natural resources and sufficient industrial and employment land to meet future needs.

Next opportunity to engage: Project staff are offering free site visits by request to confirm or correct natural resource mapping. Look up your address on the Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands Map App to see if your site is impacted by this project. You can submit a request for a site visit through the Map App or by contacting project staff. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.

Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA)

What: The purpose of the Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) is to analyze and forecast growth in Portland’s industrial and other business districts, then designate an adequate 20-year supply of developable land for businesses and jobs.

Status: In April, BPS released an economic report detailing market trends for job growth in Portland. The report details economic growth and prosperity trends, local business specializations and competitiveness, as well as marine industrial forecasts and land needs.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.

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 augments recent state codes and rules to require that parking associated with new multi-dwelling and mixed-use development provide the infrastructure needed to make 50 percent of the parking spaces “EV-ready” (i.e. providing the electrical conduit connections for new or future charging equipment). The EV Ready Code Project will help implement policy direction from Portland’s Climate Emergency Workplan through changes to the zoning code.

Status: On October 25, the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) voted to recommend approval of the EV-ready project to City Council with some amendments. The amendments increase the flexibility for locating the chargers and equipment in parking lot landscaping, while forwarding the proposal to require new development with five or more dwelling units to make at least half of the accessory on-site parking area EV-ready. The recommendation complies with, and augments, the state rules provided through House Bill 2180 and the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) led Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities Rulemaking process. Staff is now updating the Proposed Draft, to accommodate the PSC recommendations as well as developing the ordinance and findings for City Council. The Recommended Draft, Ordinance and Findings are planned to be released at the end of the year.

Next opportunity to engage: In early January, the MapApp will be available to submit testimony, as well as instructions for testifying in person. A City Council hearing is tentatively scheduled for January 25, 2023. At the hearing, the City Council will consider any additional written and oral testimony prior to making a final decision in early 2023. Details about the hearing will be posted on the project website closer to the date of the hearing. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.

Floodplain Resilience Plan

What: The plan updates floodplain regulations throughout the city to ensure that new development in the floodplain addresses flood risk from a changing climate, does not jeopardize threatened and endangered species, and allows Portlanders to continue to obtain federally-backed flood insurance.

Status: On November 22, the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) voted unanimously to recommend the Floodplain Resilience Plan to City Council with a small number of targeted technical map and Zoning Code amendments. The recommendation followed a public hearing in September and a work session in October. Staff will incorporate the PSC recommendations into the Recommended Draft and developing the ordinance and findings prior to the City Council hearing. The Recommended Draft is expected to have a public hearing at City Council in spring 2023.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. The PSC's Recommended Draft of the Floodplain Resilience Plan is expected to head to City Council in the spring 2023. Check the project website for the hearing date and other updates as it moves forward. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.

Fossil Fuel Terminal Zoning Project

What: This ordinance readopts the remanded zoning code amendments to restrict bulk fossil fuel terminals to address the policies identified by the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) that require additional findings.

Status: On June 30, City Council held a public hearing to reconsider adopting the zoning code amendments. On August 24, City Council adopted the ordinance and on August 31 the ordinance went into effect. The ordinance has been appealed by the Portland Business Alliance, the Working Waterfront Coalition, the Western States Petroleum Association, Oregon Business and Industry, and Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council. A LUBA decision is expected in early 2023.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently.

Lower SE Rising Area Plan

What: The Lower SE 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: In May, an online open house was launched for public review and closed on July 11. A summary of public input from the online open house and survey is now available. Through the survey, community members shared their priorities for transportation improvements and the need for more local commercial services and affordable housing, and indicated strong support for a centers and corridors community development scenario. Materials from the last PAC meeting on October 24 are available for review. In early spring 2023, staff anticipate releasing a Discussion Draft of the Lower SE Rising Area Plan, at which point staff will reach out to the community for feedback.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.

Montgomery Park to Hollywood Transit and Land Use Development Strategy (MP2H)

What: Exploring options for a successful land use and transit system, including potential future streetcar links to Montgomery Park in Northwest Portland and 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 MP2H-NW Plan Discussion Draft, published in December 2021, suggests a new long-range land use vision for the area near Montgomery Park in Northwest Portland, served by an extension of the Portland Streetcar. The draft proposal presents an opportunity to create more affordable housing, more affordable commercial space, and other public benefits. A compilation of public comments on the Discussion Draft has been posted. City staff are reviewing the comments and working through issues, which is anticipated to lead to a Proposed Draft for future review by the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC).

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.

Parking Compliance Project

What: The Parking Compliance project will update the Zoning Code to align local regulations with recent state Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) rulemaking submitted by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). These rules require cities to consider removing parking mandates throughout their jurisdictions. The project will review parking minimums and related regulations throughout the Zoning Code.

Status: The state rules were approved in July 2022. Staff is currently developing a draft of Zoning Code amendments for internal review. A Proposed Draft is anticipated to be released in February 2023 with a tentative hearing scheduled in March 2023. A project website will also be available in February with information on providing public testimony.

It should be noted that the CFEC rules require that cities exempt parking mandates for certain development types and near frequent transit routes and rail stations. These exemptions take effect on January 1, 2023. The Portland Bureau of Development Services has information on the waiver requirements from the State rules.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently.

Planning Commission Code Amendments

What: This project will amend the comprehensive plan and zoning code to dissolve the Planning and Sustainability Commission and create the Planning Commission. The new Planning Commission will focus on land use planning, while continuing to advance the policies in Portland’s Comprehensive Plan, including those related to sustainability.

Status: In October, the Planning Commission Code Amendments proposed draft was released. On November 8, the PSC held a public hearing on the amendments and on November 22 voted to recommend the amendments to City Council.

Next opportunity to engage: The recommended draft of the Planning Commission Code Amendments will be released for review on December 22 ahead of a City Council hearing tentatively scheduled for January 18. The public will be able to testify on the Recommended Draft at that time or in writing via the Map App. Visit the project page to view the recommended draft and get details on how to testify.

Shelter to Housing Continuum – Part 2 (S2HC2)

What: The Shelter to Housing Continuum – Part 2 (S2HC2) proposes several zoning code refinements to the previously adopted Shelter to Housing Continuum, which took effect in 2021 and expanded the housing and shelter options for individuals and households with extremely low incomes.

Status: In September, the S2HC2 Proposed Draft was published for public review. On October 11, the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) held a public hearing. On November 8, the PSC held a work session and voted to recommend approval to City Council with amendments.

Next opportunity to engage: With the PSC recommendation, the proposal heads to City Council for a hearing on February 8, 2023. Portlanders will be able to testify on the Recommended Draft, which includes the proposed changes at that time or in writing via the Map App. 

South Portland Historic District Design Guidelines

What: New approval criteria for alteration, addition and new construction proposals in the South Portland Historic District. The new design guidelines will replace the Lair Hill Conservation District design guidelines as the historic resource review approval criteria that apply within the Historic District.

Status: On November 9, the City Council voted to adopt the Recommended Draft design guidelines. The adopted design guidelines go into effect on January 1, 2023.

Next opportunity to engage: The public testimony window has closed. The adopted design guidelines will be available on the Design Guideline Documents webpage on January 1, 2023.

West Portland Town Center Plan

What: The West Portland Town Center (WPTC) Plan lays out a vision for a healthy, connected, and multi-cultural town center and includes zoning map and code changes and an action plan to meet the diverse needs of current and future residents and businesses.

Status: On November 30, the Portland City Council adopted the WPTC Plan. The WPTC Plan becomes effective on March 31. Read the As Adopted WPTC Plan and the Map App interactive tool to learn more about the adopted plan.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. The SW Corridor Equity Coalition continues to meet and the WPTC area is one of their areas of focus. Learn about the WPTC Community Development Work group.

Contact

Kevin Bond

City Planner II, Planning and Sustainability