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April 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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April 2026 highlights

  • Reconnecting Albina Planning Project is continuing the conversation about the future of the Lower Albina neighborhood with another public workshop on Thursday, April 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Harriet Tubman Middle School. Learn more about the event and register.
  • Central City Code Amendments Project to release a Proposed Draft next week ahead of a Planning Commission briefing and public hearing in May. Learn more about the project.
  • Legacy Business Preservation Study released its final report and recommendations to support longstanding local businesses. The study examines the role legacy businesses play in Portland's communities, the challenges they face, and opportunities for the City to better support them through targeted programmatic action. Read the full announcement and report.
  • Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub Policy Project gets Portland Planning Commission vote to recommend City Council further limit fuel storage expansion at the CEI Hub, after considering hundreds of public comments and months of work sessions. Read the full announcement.
  • Public Infrastructure Environmental Code Project unanimously adopted by Portland City Council streamlining environmental zoning regulations for infrastructure projects and supporting natural resources. Read more about the changes to become effective on July 1.

Central City Code Amendments Project

What: The Central City Code Amendments Project 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 the project.

Status: In January, the Discussion Draft, encouraging housing production and economic recovery in downtown Portland, was published for review. A series of online and in-person events for the public to learn about the project and give feedback were held. You can watch the information sessions that were recorded on Jan. 20 and Jan. 29.

Next opportunity to engage: Project staff will incorporate public comments and release a Proposed Draft the week of April 20. A public hearing at the Planning Commission on the Proposed Draft is scheduled for May 26. Check the project website, portland.gov/central-city, 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. 2, BPS staff gave a briefing to the Planning Commission about the project. On Dec. 12, the Proposed Draft of the Columbia Corridor and Industrial Lands Environmental Overlay Zone Project was released. On Jan. 13, the Planning Commission held a hearing on the project. On Feb. 24 and April 14, the Planning Commission held work sessions on the project. 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: None currently. The project is scheduled for a work session at the Planning Commission on Tuesday, April 28 at 5 p.m., but public testimony is closed. Check the project website, portland.gov/industrial-ezones, for updates. 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 public testimony during a public hearing. The Planning Commission held work sessions on Jan. 20, Jan. 27, and Feb. 10. At a final work session on March 10, the Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council adopt the proposed amendments, after considering hundreds of public comments and months of work sessions. Read the full announcement. Public testimony period is currently closed.

Next opportunity to engage: The project will head next to the Portland City Council with more public hearings and deliberations in late summer / early fall. A Recommended Draft will be published before the City Council hearing and additional public testimony will be taken. After considering public testimony, City Council will deliberate and consider any potential changes before voting to adopt the proposal. Check the project website, portland.gov/cei-hub, for updates. 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: Following the Jan. 13 Planning Commission hearing, staff are refining the analysis in response to issues raised, including job density, land assumptions from other studies, and small-site capacity. The project had work sessions at the Planning Commission on Feb. 24 and April 14. Upcoming Planning Commission work sessions will review the updated materials and associated policy trade-offs.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. The project is scheduled for another work session at the Planning Commission on Tuesday, April 28 at 5 p.m., but public testimony is closed. Check the project website, portland.gov/eoa, for updates. Those interested can also sign up for email updates.

Housing Bonus Alignment Project

What: The Housing Bonus Alignment Project will propose changes to the zoning code to help increase the production of housing - especially affordable housing, accessible housing, and units with more bedrooms. The project focuses on dense, multi-dwelling and mixed-use areas outside of the Central City. Read more about the project.

Status: The Housing Bonus Alignment Project Discussion Draft public comment period closed March 23. Read submitted public comments.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. In June, the public will be invited to review and testify on the Proposed Draft. Check the project website, portland.gov/housing-bonus-alignment, for updates. Those interested can also sign up for email updates.

Legacy Business Preservation Study

What: This study developed 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 considered 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 have released the final report and recommendations making a case for establishing a Legacy Business Preservation Program that would honor and support these longstanding local businesses in Portland. The study examines the role legacy businesses play in Portland's communities, the challenges they face, and opportunities for the City to better support them through targeted programmatic action. Read the full announcement and report.

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: On March 11, the Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve the Recommended Draft of the Public Infrastructure Environmental Code Project. The approval amends environmental overlay zone (ezone) regulations to facilitate the replacement of public infrastructure and the management of vegetation in natural areas. The changes become effective on July 1. Read the announcement.

Next opportunity to engage: None. The project is approved.

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 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: Join the project team for another public workshop on Thursday, April 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Harriet Tubman Middle School to continue the conversation about the future of the Lower Albina neighborhood. Learn more about the event and register. 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. The 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 voted to recommend the RICAP 11 package of code updates to City Council. The Planning Commission recommendation included seven amendments to the staff proposal. The RICAP 11 Recommended Draft will be published the week of May 11 in advance of a public hearing at the City Council's Housing and Permitting Committee, scheduled for June 2.

Next opportunity to engage: Portlanders will be able to testify on the RICAP 11 Recommended Draft proposal at the Housing and Permitting Committee on June 2 at 2 p.m. Written public testimony can be submitted starting the week of May 11 through the Map App. After the Committee makes a recommendation, another hearing will be held with the full City Council on June 24. Check the project website, portland.gov/ricap11, for updates. Those interested can always sign up for email updates.

Ongoing projects (active projects with no updates this month)

Willamette River North Reach Project

What: This project will update policies and regulations in the northern section of the Willamette River to support industrial, residential and recreational uses. The project will establish a framework for future development in the area and consider updates to City policies, zoning code requirements, and programs. Read more about the project.

Status: In October, the project website and an online map showing the location and type of natural resources and preliminary environmental protection scenarios were published. Property owners are invited to review the project map and request a site visit to confirm the location of natural resources to ensure the accuracy of the map. Broader public engagement will begin in the coming months.

Next opportunity to engage: None currently. Property owners can request site visits from staff to confirm the location of natural resources through the project map. Check the project website, portland.gov/north-reach, for updates. 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
503-823-7700

Topics

City planning

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