March 2024 – Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) Project Updates

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A monthly snapshot of BPS's active land use planning work going on across the city of Portland. See the project updates below for more details, and to find contact information for the City staff working on specific projects. Subscribe to get email notifications when these updates are posted.
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March 2024 highlights

  • Housing Regulatory Relief was unanimously adopted by City Council. The package temporarily reduces or suspends development standards and processes for housing projects within the next five years. The code became effective on March 1. Read more.
  • Housing Production Strategy Discussion Draft is now available for public review and comment. Public comments on the Discussion Draft can be submitted via the Map App or email. Comments are welcome through 5 p.m. on April 7. Read more.
  • Land Division Code Update – The Planning Commission will consider the Land Division Code Update Proposed Draft at a public hearing on Tuesday, March 26, at 5 p.m. Community members are invited to review the Proposed Draft and testify to the Planning Commission. Read more.

Useful resources

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: In October 2023, City Council voted unanimously to adopt zoning code amendments that reduce the impacts of future flooding on those who live or work in or near Portland’s floodplains. City Council added several key amendments to the package. The large majority of the requirements went into effect on March 1 and the remaining items won’t go into effect until Oct. 1, 2024. Read the full announcement.

Next opportunity to engage: None.

Fossil Fuel Terminal Zoning Amendments

What: This ordinance readopts the remanded zoning code amendments that 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. On Sept. 29, 2023, the LUBA denied an appeal by the Portland Business Alliance, Working Waterfront Coalition, Western States Petroleum Association, Oregon Business and Industry, and Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council. This LUBA decision was appealed to Oregon Court of Appeals, which upheld the LUBA decision to affirm the City Council’s adoption of reasonable limits on fossil fuel infrastructure. The Court of Appeals decision can be appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court. The ordinance has also 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. The federal case is still pending.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently.

Housing Needs Analysis (HNA) and Housing Production Strategy (HPS)

What: The Housing Needs Analysis analyzed the status of Portland’s housing supply, housing affordability issues, and the City's ability to meet projected housing demand through 2045. The Housing Production Strategy addresses how Portland will accommodate future population growth with strategies that support the development of needed housing. These actions will consider impacts on low-income households, communities of color, people with disabilities, and other state and federally protected classes.

Status: In 2024, BPS is leading a process to develop a Housing Production Strategy with other City Bureaus and the community to identify steps the City can take over the next 5 years to support needed housing development. The Housing Production Strategy Discussion Draft is now available for public review and comment.

Next opportunity to engage: Public comments on the Discussion Draft can be submitted via the Map App or email. Comments are welcome through 5 p.m. on April 7. Community members are invited to a virtual open house on April 3 to learn more; register here. People can also provide more input on their needs and priorities by filling out a survey through April 14. Check the project website for updates on the draft plan and upcoming hearings.

Housing Regulatory Relief

What: This project addressed several barriers to development identified in the housing production survey conducted by the Bureau of Development Services, including bike parking, ground floor active use/height, nonconforming upgrades, ecoroof standards, design review, neighborhood contact, and more. The project resulted in temporary waivers and permanent changes to zoning regulations. These temporary waivers and reductions will last 5 years and apply to development that includes residential units, unless otherwise stated.

Status: In January 2024, City Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 191609 approving the project. Read Commissioner Rubio's announcement. The code in the package is now effective.

Next opportunity to engage: None. The adopted amendments are in effect as of March 1, 2024.

Land Division Code Update

What: The Land Division Code Update aims to encourage new housing development by streamlining the review of residential land divisions and reducing regulatory barriers and uncertainty in the application process, while continuing to provide benefits to the community.

Status: The Proposed Draft and code amendments are available for review. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on March 26, at 5 p.m. Prior to the hearing, BPS staff will brief commissioners on the proposals. In addition to a number of revisions and clarifications from the Discussion Draft, the Proposed Draft includes refinements to the proposed Potential Landslide Hazard Area map. This will better correlate landslide areas to physical features on the ground as well as improved tree preservation standards. The landslide hazard area map is available on the project Map App. Following the Planning Commission hearing and recommendation, BPS staff will bring the Recommended Draft of the code updates to City Council for adoption in Summer 2024.

Next opportunity to engage: Community members are invited to review the Land Division Code Update Proposed Draft and provide testimony to the Planning Commission in writing via the Map App or verbally during the hearing. You must sign up in advance to testify verbally. Deadline to register is March 25 at 5 p.m. Check the project website for updates. Those interested can sign up for email updates.

LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Project

What: The City of 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 preparing a historic context statement, historic resources survey, and individual National Register of Historic Places nomination forms for properties significantly associated with LGBTQ+ history. Two National Register of Historic Places nomination forms for the Crystal Hotel and Erv Lind Field received recommendations from the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission and State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation to move forward for federal approval. Check the project website for updates.

Next opportunity to engage: Additional draft project deliverables, including an additional National Register nomination, will be available for public review in late Spring 2024.

Lower SE Rising Area Plan

What: The Lower SE Rising Area Plan aims to address the historic lack of neighborhood commercial services, diverse housing options, and infrastructure investment in the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood and nearby areas, including parts of the Mt Scott-Arleta, Woodstock and Lents neighborhoods. Informed by 2 years of community input, the draft plan includes proposed zoning map changes and recommendations for transportation projects to implement the community’s aspirations for more neighborhood businesses and housing options, supported by transportation improvements, to make it easier to meet daily needs locally and help address affordability.

Status: The Proposed Draft of the Lower SE Rising Area Plan was released in for public review in September 2023; the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the plan on Oct. 10. During their work session on Nov. 14, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that City Council adopt the Lower SE Rising Area Plan.

Next opportunity to engage: The Recommended Draft Plan will be available for public review in early April. City Council will hold a public hearing on the Recommended Draft Plan on April 25. Check the project website for updates on the draft plan and upcoming hearings. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.

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

What: A joint effort between the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) and the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), the MP2H project explores options for a successful land use and transit system, including potential future streetcar links to Montgomery Park in NW Portland and Hollywood Town Center in NE Portland. MP2H also considers  affordable housing, as well as economic development and business stabilization opportunities associated with potential transit investments, including possible extension of the Portland Streetcar.

Status: The eastside element of the MP2H work has concluded, but the northwest work continues. The Discussion Draft, published in December 2021, offered a long-range land use vision for new housing, more jobs and public benefits in the area near Montgomery Park in NW Portland, served by an extension of the Portland Streetcar.

In June 2023, staff held a public workshop to discuss a design character statement for the MP2H Northwest plan area. Staff also briefed the Portland Planning Commission, Portland Design Commission, and Historic Landmarks Commission.

The Proposed Draft of the Montgomery Park Area Plan, the follow-up to the Discussion Draft, will include updated land use and transportation proposals. The Proposed Draft is expected in Spring 2024 for public review.

Next opportunity to engage: The Planning Commission and Design Commission are expected to hold a joint public hearing on the Proposed Draft later this spring. Check the project website for updates and upcoming hearings. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.

Regulatory Improvement Code Amendment Package 10 (RICAP 10)

What: Regulatory Improvement Code Amendment Packages (RICAP) are an ongoing series of minor technical updates, clarifications, and refinements to Portland’s zoning regulations. RICAP 10 amendments are grouped into three themes: housing production, economic development, and regulatory reduction. Some items are minor policy changes, while others are technical amendments or clarifications with little policy impact.

Status: The RICAP 10 Proposed Draft considers more than 80 items for regulatory improvement. The Planning Commission was briefed on the proposals and heard public testimony at a hearing on Feb. 27. Commissioners held a work session and voted on their recommendation to City Council on March 12.

Next opportunity to engage: The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to City Council. The updated Recommended Draft will be published in April before a public hearing at City Council expected in the Spring. Community will be able to testify in writing and in person at a public hearing. Check the project website for updates and upcoming hearings. Those interested in the project can sign up for email updates.

Ongoing projects

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 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 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. Learn more about draft wetland mapping and see if your site qualifies for a free wetland determination. Those interested can sign up for email updates.

Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA)

What: The purpose of the 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 2022, 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.

Contact

District Planning

A program of the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS)
bpsdistrict@portlandoregon.gov
phone number503-823-7700

Topics

City planning

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