What’s new this month?
- RIP2 (Residential Infill Project Part 2) took effect on June 30
- South Portland Historic District draft design guidelines headed to Landmarks Commission on July 11
- Fossil Fuel Terminal Zoning Amendments goes back the City Council on August 24
- Parkrose Community Plan gets transformed into a zine
- West Portland Town Center (WPTC) gets PSC approval; heads to City Council this fall
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.
Sign up for BPS email updates
Do you like these monthly project updates from BPS? You can now sign yourself up to be notified by email about BPS project updates.
COVID-19 Impacts
Please be aware that public meetings are still 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: 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. More information to follow in the coming months.
Next opportunity to engage: None currently. Those interested can always sign up for project 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 will explore Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements for new multi-dwelling and mixed use development. The EV Ready Code Project will help implement policy direction from the 2017 Electric Vehicle Strategy through changes to the zoning code.
Status: On June 17, the public review period ended on the EV Ready Code Project discussion draft and economic impact analysis. The draft Zoning Code amendments will require new construction multi-dwelling and mixed-use developments to have capacity for electric vehicle charging facilities. Last month, project staff also wrapped up coordination with the State’s EV rulemaking processes at both the Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Buildings Code Division. Project staff are working on the Proposed Draft for an August public release and review period.
Next opportunity to engage: None currently. 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: On May 25, City Council voted to adopt the Ezone Project. Staff will spend the coming months making updates to the Official Zoning Maps to reflect those changes. The adopted changes to the Official Zoning Maps and to Zoning Code Chapter 33.430 will go into effect on October 1, 2022.
Next opportunity to engage: None currently. The adopted changes go into effect on October 1, 2022.
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: The Discussion Draft was available for public review from November 2021 to January 2022. Staff are reviewing all the comments received and are making updates to the plan in preparation for the release of the next draft, the Proposed Draft, in the next few months. A briefing and hearing with the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) is tentatively scheduled for September. Video of an online open house held in November 2021 is available online.
Next opportunity to engage: Community members can view property-specific proposals on the project’s Map App interactive tool. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.
Fossil Fuel Terminal Zoning Project
What: This ordinance is to readopt 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. City Council continued the ordinance to August 24 at 2:00 pm. Double-check the Council Agenda page for updates.
Next opportunity to engage: The record for public testimony is closed. When Council reconvenes on July 21, they may introduce amendments. At that time, if Council determines additional public testimony is warranted for any proposed amendments, Council may re-open the record for the limited purpose of testimony on the amendments.
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: An online open house was launched for public review in May and closed on June 30. The self-guided open house introduces draft proposals for the project area that present an opportunity to create public and private investments, including more local commercial and housing opportunities, and transportation improvements. Project staff will be reviewing the online open house survey feedback and releasing a report later this summer. The materials from the last Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting on June 23 were posted online.
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.
Parkrose Community Plan
What: Historic Parkrose led work on the Parkrose Community Plan in partnership with BPS and other government and community partners to address topics such as safe streets, housing and displacement, access to jobs, community spaces, and emergency preparedness. This Plan is an opportunity for BPS to support plans that center traditionally harmed and sidelined communities, to advance a future of shared prosperity.
Status: Historic Parkrose launched the Parkrose Community Plan in May 2021 with a youth workshop, followed by adult workshops, an open house, and a series of community working group discussions focused on solutions and actions. BPS is supporting Historic Parkrose in this effort and has worked with the Parkrose community on actions to address community issues, such as housing stability and access to economic opportunity. The community’s recommended implementation actions have now been brought together into the finalized Parkrose Community Plan.
The Parkrose Community Plan is available online, including plan summaries translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, Lao, Amharic, and Tigrinya. Open house events and an online survey were held in April and public input informed refinement of the plan. A presentation to the Planning and Sustainability Commission on the Parkrose Community Plan has been scheduled for July 26. For more information, please visit the Historic Parkrose NPI website.
Next opportunity to engage: None currently. To learn more, visit Historic Parkrose’s Community Plan webpage.
Residential Infill Project - Part 2 (RIP2)
What: Following up on the work of the Residential Infill Project (RIP1), which was adopted in August 2020, this project extends the housing options of RIP1 to all single dwelling zones by adding middle housing types in the low density R10 and R20 zones. RIP2 brings the City into compliance with the State of Oregon’s middle housing rules by adding provisions for cottage clusters and attached houses in all the single dwelling zones that were not included in RIP1. RIP2 also brings the City into compliance with the State’s new middle housing land division rules by creating a new streamlined procedure for dividing the housing units onto their own lots.
Status: On June 1, City Council voted to approve RIP2 with a vote of 4-0, with Commissioner Ryan absent. The ordinance was passed as an emergency, to meet the state compliance deadline, and took effect on June 30 at 11:59 PM. The adopted documents, including the code changes, are available on the project website. The updated code and zoning maps will be available online on July 1.
Last month, the Bureau of Development Services (BDS) hosted a “lunch & learn” covering the RIP2 changes and describing the Middle Housing Land Division process. The half-hour presentation was followed by an hour of audience questions and answers. BDS has also created a resource page to help understand how the Residential Infill Projects may apply to developments in the single-dwelling zones.
Next opportunity to engage: None. This project is complete.
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: Thanks to feedback from the technical advisory committee, staff has completed a draft land use plan for the Naito Main Street / Ross Island Bridgehead project in South Portland. This milestone satisfies BPS’s last Metro grant obligation for the project. The draft plan includes an introduction explaining the status of the project and a summary of the equitable development workshop from July 2021. The draft plan is expected to be published on the project webpage later this month.
Next opportunity to engage: None currently.
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: The Proposed Draft South Portland Historic District Design Guidelines were released June 6. The Proposed Draft is available on the project website for public review and comment. The Historic Landmarks Commission will hold a public hearing on July 11.
Next opportunity to engage: The public comment period on the Proposed Draft design guidelines is open until July 11. Public comments can be submitted by email, regular mail, or delivered as oral testimony to the Historic Landmarks Commission.
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 June 14, the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) voted to recommend the WPTC Plan to City Council. A draft of the PSC recommended plan, Volume 1 and Volume 2, is available for public review. This June 7 memo summarizes all the PSC approved amendments. And while the Recommended Draft is not yet published, the online Proposed Draft Overview, Map App interactive tool, and video of the August 10 PSC briefing can still be useful to learn more about the Plan.
The PSC held two hearings on September 14 and September 28 and all testimony can be viewed online. The PSC also held a series of work sessions on the proposed plan on October 26, November 9, November 30, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, and June 14. Meeting materials and recordings can be found under each date’s event page on the project website. The Design Commission also voted on March 3 to recommend adoption of the WPTC Character Statement as amended to the City Council.
Next opportunity to engage: The PSC’s Recommended Draft of the Plan will be published in late summer or early fall. A public comment period will start about a month before any City Council hearings on the Recommended Draft. The City Council will take testimony, both written and verbal, and deliberate on the proposal starting in the early fall. Look for City Council hearing dates later this summer. Those interested can always sign up for WPTC email updates.