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October 2025 – BPS Long-range Planning Project Updates

Newsletter
A monthly newsletter of BPS's active long-range land use planning work in 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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October 2025 highlights

Code Alignment Project (CAP)

What: The Code Alignment Project is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to improve the permitting process. This project intends to reduce permitting delays, costly project redesigns, and additional reviews, starting with an evaluation of changes to upgrade requirements for certain project sites. Upgrades are currently required when a site has substandard or lacking street trees, street improvements, on-site bike parking, pedestrian circulation, landscaping, or older buildings needing seismic evaluation. The CAP proposes changes to Title 33 (Non-conforming upgrades), Title 11 (Street trees), Title 17 (Street improvements), and Title 24 (Seismic evaluations) to suspend these upgrade requirements for most alterations and building additions until Jan. 1, 2029. The ordinance also allows projects that have already been submitted for permit review, but have not been completed, to utilize the waivers.

Status: On Sept. 24, City Council unanimously approved the CAP Recommended Draft without additional changes. The ordinance goes into effect on Friday, Oct. 24. Check the CAP webpage, portland.gov/permitimprovement/code-alignment-project, for more information.

Next opportunity to engage: None. The project was approved and goes into effect on Friday, Oct. 24. Those interested can submit additional ideas for improving the City's development regulations through the online Regulatory Improvement Request form.

Columbia Corridor and Industrial Lands Environmental Overlay Zone Project

What: This project will amend 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. Policy proposals under consideration will aim to ensure needed lands for future industrial and other economic growth while also preserving natural resources that serve as green infrastructure and help to make Portland resilient to the impacts of climate change. Read more about the project.

Status: The Discussion Draft of the Columbia Corridor and Industrial Lands Environmental Overlay Zone Project was released on Sept. 19. Read the announcement to learn more about the proposals and how to give your feedback. A new recording of the project team's informational presentation will be posted to the project website later this month. Project staff are coordinating their work with the citywide Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) to ensure adequate protection for natural resources and sufficient industrial and employment land to meet future needs.

Next opportunity to engage: Submit written comments on the Discussion Draft and the draft environmental overlay zone amendments using the Map App through Monday, Nov. 10. To learn more, check the project website for upcoming events. Property owners can request a free site visit to confirm or correct natural resource mapping through the interactive Columbia Corridor / Industrial Lands Environmental Zoning Project map. To request a site visit, enter your property address and click the "Request Site Visit" link in the upper right corner. Property owners may qualify for free wetland determination, learn more about draft wetland mapping, and check if their property qualifies. Those interested can also sign up for email updates.

Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub Policy Project

What: The project intent is to update Comprehensive Plan policies to regulate bulk fuel facilities in the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub in Northwest Portland. The CEI Hub is a six-mile stretch of industrial land in northwest Portland along the Willamette River that stores 90% of Oregon's liquid fuel supply. Studies show that this area is vulnerable to earthquakes and other natural disasters, posing human health and environmental risks. The project will explore options and update regulations for existing terminals while encouraging safety upgrades. This project will build on the storage tank restrictions that were adopted in 2022. This work is funded in part by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Administration via Oregon's Department of Emergency Management. Learn more about the CEI Hub Policy Project.

Status: A draft report on preliminary alternatives is available for public comments through Friday, Oct. 17. Learn more about the Discussion Draft and how to give feedback. After the public comment phase, project staff will propose one alternative in a Proposed Draft report that is scheduled to be published on Monday, Nov. 10.

Next opportunity to engage: The public comment period is open until Friday, Oct. 17. Submit written comments using the Map App. The Planning Commission scheduled to hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 16, which will include an opportunity for public testimony. Those interested can also 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 business and job growth.

Status: A Discussion Draft is available for public review. Learn about scheduled events on the project website, portland.gov/eoa, and learn more about the EOA and the policy options.

Next opportunity to engage: Submit written comments on the Discussion Draft until Monday, Nov. 10. Learn about scheduled events, including virtual information sessions on Monday, Oct. 20, 12-1 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 21, 6-7 p.m., and an open house on Thursday, Oct. 30, 5-7pm. An online questionnaire is also available. The project is scheduled to go to the Planning Commission in January. Those interested can also sign up for email updates.

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. Read more about the ordinance.

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 has not been appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court; however the ordinance 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. On Sept. 2, the federal District Court granted the City’s motion to dismiss the case. The plaintiffs did not appeal that decision.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently.

Legacy Business Preservation Study

What: This study will develop recommendations for the establishment of a City of Portland Legacy Business Program that would support and preserve longstanding, independently owned Portland businesses. These "legacy businesses" — such as restaurants, retail storefronts, and beauty and barber shops — have long been overlooked for official recognition despite their significance to community identity. This project will consider the experiences of existing legacy business programs in other cities, and incorporate input from local businesses, community-based organizations, and City advisory bodies to develop recommendations for service offerings and policy changes that would better support legacy businesses.

Status: Project staff have conducted preliminary outreach to community-based organizations and businesses to gather feedback and are currently developing draft findings and program recommendations. Read more about the study.

Next opportunity to engage: Take the Legacy Business Preservation Study Questionnaire! Project staff are collecting feedback from Portland businesses and residents on priorities for bringing a legacy business program to Portland. Give feedback using this online questionnaire! Responses will be collected until Friday, Oct. 31. Read the announcement. Those interested can also sign-up for email updates.

Regulatory Improvement Code Amendment Package 11 (RICAP 11)

What: Regulatory Improvement Code Amendment Packages (RICAP) are an ongoing series of minor technical updates, clarifications, and refinements to Portland’s zoning regulations. The purpose of this series is to remove barriers to development across the city. RICAP 11 proposed amendments are grouped into three themes: parking, exterior areas, and regulatory improvement.

Status: On Sept. 23, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Proposed Draft. On Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Planning Commission held a work session. On Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m., the Planning Commission will make a recommendation on the Proposed Draft to the City Council, who will hold additional hearings in early 2026 before making a decision.

Next opportunity to engage: In early 2026, Portlanders will have an opportunity to give written and verbal testimony to City Council at a public hearing on the Recommended Draft. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.

Ongoing projects (active projects with no updates this month)

Affordable Housing Opportunities Project (AHOP)

What: The Affordable Housing Opportunities Project (AHOP) will remove zoning barriers to affordable housing in Portland. This project proposes zoning map changes to approximately 19 properties owned by nonprofit affordable housing providers and public agencies. These changes will allow for more housing opportunities and will support the continued use of the sites for affordable housing and community services.

Status: On Aug. 26, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to support staff's recommendations for the AHOP land use map amendments, acknowledging the rezonings will help address Portland's critical need for more affordable housing. During its deliberation, the Planning Commission encouraged the City to engage the community in a future process to develop a long-term plan for the City-owned Sears Armory property. The Commission also expressed an interest in the City undertaking projects similar to AHOP in the future to reduce zoning barriers to affordable housing development and preservation on additional sites. Read the announcement.

Next opportunity to engage: AHOP will head to City Council for a public hearing on the Recommended Draft, potentially starting in January 2026. After considering public testimony, City Council will deliberate and potentially make changes, then vote to adopt the plan. Check the project webpage, portland.gov/ahop, for the latest updates. Those interested can also sign up for email updates.

Central City Code Amendments Project (CCCAP)

What: The Central City Code Amendments Project (CCCAP) will make strategic updates to the zoning tools of the Central City 2035 Plan. Post-pandemic trends continue to show high vacancy rates in downtown and other parts of the Central City. This project will explore creative solutions to promote housing production and support Central City revitalization. Learn more about CCCAP.

Status: City staff are currently refining the zoning code proposals and anticipate publishing a draft for public review and comment by late summer.

Next opportunity to engage: City staff will offer to give project overviews to neighborhood groups and other interested parties in the next several months. Check the project website, portland.gov/cccap, for updates. Those interested can also sign up for email updates.

Public Infrastructure Environmental Code Project

What: This project will facilitate needed improvements to public infrastructure and allow for management of trees, vegetation, and other natural resources in publicly owned and maintained natural areas. These proposals aim to ensure natural resource protection while also recognizing the need for the operation, maintenance, and in some cases, replacement of public infrastructure facilities. A variety of minor proposals are also included, such as updates to site enhancement, noticing requirements, and review procedures. Read more about the project.

Status: In June, project staff published the Proposed Draft. On July 22, a Planning Commission briefing and public hearing was held on the project, which included opportunities for written and verbal public testimony. The project returned to the Planning Commission on August 12 for a work session and recommendation.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. Check the project webpage, portland.gov/infrastructure-ezones, for updates. Those interested can also sign up for project updates.

Reconnecting Albina Planning Project (RAPP)

What: A two-year partnership to create urban development strategies for the district that foster equitable and sustainable outcomes and restorative development for Portland’s Black and historic Albina communities. The project involves the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS), Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), Prosper Portland, and Albina Vision Trust (AVT). The project builds on several initiatives, such as AVT’s Albina Vision Community Investment Plan (AVCIP), the Lower Albina Streetscape Project (LASP), and the highway cover for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project (I5RQIP) led by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). RAPP is looking at how the highway cover can be integrated into the broader area to reconnect local streets and the physical landscape of the district, as well as to create opportunities for wealth building, urban development, and public spaces.

Status: The project team continues working on development scenarios for the study area, building on the findings from the existing conditions assessment. Project staff is reviewing community input received so far and will be reporting out that feedback in the coming weeks.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. The project team is planning to host another opportunity to engage with the project in the fall after draft development scenarios are ready for public review. Visit the project webpage, portland.gov/rapp, to stay up to date on opportunities to engage. Those interested can also sign up for project updates.

Useful resources

Contact

District Planning

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

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City planning

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