March 2023 – 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.
Published
In this article

What’s new this month?

Useful resources

Planning Commission

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.

Sign up for BPS email updates

Do you like these monthly project updates from BPS? Subscribe to receive email notifications when these BPS project updates are published.

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 to identify community priorities.

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 continue to offer 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: Last 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 expands 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 implements policy direction from Portland’s Climate Emergency Workplan through changes to the zoning code.

Status: On February 8, the City Council unanimously approved the EV Ready Code Project. The new regulations take effect on March 31. The approved materials are available to review. The project 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.

Next opportunity to engage: None. The amendments take effect on March 31.

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 develop 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. 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: The City Council adopted the ordinance in August 2022. The ordinance has been appealed to the state Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) by the Portland Business Alliance, the Working Waterfront Coalition, the Western States Petroleum Association, Oregon Business and Industry, and the Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council. A LUBA decision is expected in summer 2023. The ordinance also has been challenged in federal court by the State of Montana, Western Energy Alliance, Pacific Propane Gas Association, Idaho Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, and Christensen, Inc.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently.

LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Project

What: Portland’s LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Project seeks to identify, document, and preserve historic resources associated with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ histories.

Status: The project team is conducting archival research, meeting with key informants, and surveying potentially significant historic places. Property owner consent is being solicited for possible nomination of individual properties to the National Register of Historic Places.

Next opportunity to engage: An online questionnaire is available on the project webpage for members of the public to assist in the identification of LGBTQ+ historic sites. The questionnaire will remain open until July 2023.

Lower SE Rising Area Plan

What: The Lower Southeast Rising Area Plan aims to address the historic lack of neighborhood commercial services, diverse housing options, and 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: Project staff are working on plan recommendations, including potential zoning map changes and transportation projects, to implement the community’s aspirations for the future of the Lower Southeast Rising area. Public feedback that is guiding the development of the plan includes input from an online open house and survey completed by over 500 community members, together with input from a range of community events. A summary of public input 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 Project Advisory Committee meeting on January 23 are available for review. This spring, 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: In April, staff plan to undertake extensive community engagement after release of the Discussion Draft. 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 Commission.

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

Parking Compliance Amendments 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 mid-March with a tentative hearing scheduled in April. A project website will also be available in March 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 took 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 amended the comprehensive plan and zoning code to dissolve the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) 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: On January 25, the City Council adopted the Planning Commission Code Amendments project. The changes took effect on March 1. Read the As-Adopted report to learn more about the amendments. On February 22, City Council approved the appointments of eight inaugural members to Portland’s new Planning Commission. The commissioners will help guide land use planning and equitable growth and development through stewardship, development, and maintenance of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code.

Next opportunity to engage: The project is complete. The new Planning Commission will meet for the first time on March 14. Upcoming meeting dates are available online.

Shelter to Housing Continuum – Part 2 (S2HC2)

What: The Shelter to Housing Continuum – Part 2 (S2HC2) made 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: On February 15, the Portland City Council adopted the S2HC2 Amendments. These code amendments will be effective on March 31. Read the as-adopted S2HC2 report to learn more about the approved changes.

Next opportunity to engage: None. The amendments take effect on March 31.

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 will be effective on March 31. Read the As Adopted WPTC Plan and see the Map App interactive tool to learn more about the adopted plan.

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

Contact

Kevin Bond

City Planner II, Planning and Sustainability