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January 2026 – 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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January 2026 highlights

  • Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) - Portland's analysis of land needed to support job growth - heads to the Planning Commission for a hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 13 starting at 5 p.m. and welcomes public testimony. Read about the EOA Proposed Draft and how to submit testimony.
  • Columbia Corridor and Industrial Lands (CCIL) Environmental Overlay Zone Project - a series of proposed amendments to existing natural resource protection policies and environmental overlay zone boundaries - heads to the Planning Commission for a hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 13 starting at 6:30 p.m. and welcomes public testimony. Read about the CCIL Proposed Draft and how to submit testimony.
  • Central City Code Amendments Project (CCCAP) publishes a Discussion Draft encouraging housing production and economic recovery in downtown Portland; announces outreach events, and welcomes public comments now through Feb. 13. Read about the proposals, upcoming events, and how to give your feedback.
  • Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub Policy Project releases additional technical information ahead of Planning Commission work sessions on Tuesday, Jan. 20 and Jan. 27. Additional written public testimony will be accepted from Jan. 13 to Jan. 23. Read about the upcoming events and how to give your testimony.
  • Affordable Housing Opportunities Project (AHOP) releases a Recommended Draft and welcomes public testimony ahead of a hearing by the City Council's Homelessness and Housing Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Read about the Recommended Draft and how to submit testimony.
  • ABCs of Land Use: An Introduction to Portland Zoning, a free learning event, is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event is hosted by BPS and the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN). All are welcome to attend in person or online. Learn more and register to attend online.

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 continuation of existing affordable housing and community services.

Status: The AHOP Recommended Draft is now available online. Read the full announcement. The Recommended Draft marks a significant milestone – it represents the Portland Planning Commission's recommendation to City Council. On Aug. 26, the Portland Planning Commission voted unanimously to support staff recommendations for land use map amendments, acknowledging that the proposed changes will help address Portland's critical need for more affordable housing.

Next opportunity to engage: On Tuesday, Jan. 27 starting at 12:00 noon, the project is scheduled for a hearing by the City Council's Homelessness and Housing Committee. The public can submit testimony to the committee orally and in writing. To testify orally at the hearing, you can register online or by calling 311. The agenda and link to oral testimony registration will be available on Thursday, Jan. 22. Check the Council events page for more information. To submit written testimony, the City encourages electronic written testimony via the Map App, but written testimony can also be submitted via U.S. Mail. Read the announcement for full details on how to submit your testimony. Visit the AHOP webpage, portland.gov/ahop, for 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: The CCCAP Discussion Draft, encouraging housing production and economic recovery in downtown Portland, is now available for review. The City welcomes public comments on the Discussion Draft now through Friday, Feb. 13. A series of online and in person events for the public to learn about the project and give feedback are scheduled in January. Read the full announcement to learn more about the zoning proposals, how to participate in the events, and submit your comments.

Next opportunity to engage: The City welcomes public comments on the CCCAP Discussion Draft now through Friday, Feb. 13. Give written feedback using the project's Map App. You can also learn more, ask questions, and give feedback at an in-person open house on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Portland Building Room 100. Learn more during virtual information sessions on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 5:30-7 p.m., and Thursday, Jan. 29, 12-1:30 p.m. Check the project website, portland.gov/cccap, for updates. Those interested can also sign up for email updates.

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: On Dec. 12, the Proposed Draft of the Columbia Corridor and Industrial Lands Environmental Overlay Zone Project was released. On Dec. 2, BPS staff gave a briefing to the Planning Commission about the project. A recording of the briefing is available online. 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: The project is scheduled for a public hearing at the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. Written public comments on the Proposed Draft and the draft environmental overlay zone amendments can be submitted online using the Map App. The deadline for submitting written testimony has been extended to Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m.

Property owners can request a free site visit to confirm or correct natural resource mapping through the Map App. 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 Critical Energy Infrastructure (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 CEI Hub Policy Project will update Portland's Comprehensive Plan policies, zoning code, and other city regulations to support safety and risk reduction for existing bulk fuel facilities within the CEI Hub. 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: In November, project staff released a Proposed Draft with policy and code amendments for regulating the development of bulk fuel facilities to support risk reduction and require a 20 percent drawdown of existing fuel storage tank capacity at the CEI Hub by 2036. On Dec. 16, the Planning Commission heard oral testimony during a public hearing. On Tuesday, Jan. 13, staff will publish additional technical information in response to Planning Commission questions.

Next opportunity to engage: The Planning Commission will hold work sessions on the Proposed Draft on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 12:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. An additional work session and vote is planned for February. Check the project website, portland.gov/cei-hub, for updates. The public is invited to submit additional written testimony through the Map App from Tuesday, Jan. 13 through Friday, Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. After reviewing public testimony and deliberating on the Proposed Draft, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to City Council. There will be future opportunities to give public testimony to City Council – the final decision-making body. 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. Read more about the EOA.

Status: Last month, the EOA Proposed Draft was published and is available for review. The Proposed Draft analyzes and forecasts growth in Portland's Central City, neighborhood commercial and industrial districts, and identifies a 20-year supply of developable land for business and job growth. Read the full announcement to learn more about the draft EOA and submit testimony for a Planning Commission hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Next opportunity to engage: The EOA Proposed Draft is scheduled for a Planning Commission public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. This will be preceded by a project briefing at 4:20 p.m. Written public testimony can be provided through the Map App. The deadline for submitting written testimony has been extended to Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. Those interested can also sign up for email updates.

Ongoing projects (active projects with no updates this month)

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. Read more about the study.

Status: Project staff conducted outreach to community-based organizations and longstanding Portland businesses and are now reviewing responses to a questionnaire. The questionnaire, which closed Oct. 31, gathered feedback from Portland businesses and residents on priorities for bringing a legacy business program to Portland. Project staff received over 200 responses – the majority of which were from longstanding local businesses. Draft findings and program recommendations are being developed with publication anticipated in late winter 2026.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. 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. Read more about RAPP.

Status: On Dec. 3, the project team facilitated a community open house at Harriet Tubman Middle School. The event featured interactive stations, concept boards, and hands-on activities designed to inform the future district framework and urban design approaches for Lower Albina. Meanwhile, the project team continues working on development frameworks for the study area, building on the findings from the existing conditions assessment and previous community engagement.

Next opportunity to engage: The next engagement opportunities will take place in early to mid-2026. 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.

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. Read more about RICAP 11.

Status: On Oct. 28, the Planning Commission held a work session the ended with a vote to recommend the RICAP 11 package of code updates to City Council. The Planning Commission recommendation included seven amendments to the staff proposal.

Next opportunity to engage: In early 2026, the public 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.

Useful resources

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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