May 2026 – BPS Long-range Planning Project Updates

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May 2026 highlights

• Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) and Columbia Corridor and Industrial Lands (CCIL) Environmental Overlay Zone Project return to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, May 12 at 2 p.m. for a final work session and vote on a recommendation to City Council. Watch the meeting.
• Central City Code Amendments Project scheduled for a Planning Commission briefing and public hearing on the Proposed Draft on Tuesday, May 26 at 5 p.m. Read how to provide testimony on proposals to encourage housing production and economic recovery in Portland's Central City.
• Inner Eastside Zoning Project launches with the goal to make Portland's inner eastside neighborhoods – with great access to jobs, public transportation, and everyday needs – more accessible to all. This project provides an opportunity to rethink zoning in this area to allow for a greater variety of housing to be built. Learn more about the project and subscribe to get updates.
• Housing Production Strategy, adopted by City Council in August 2024, includes 35 action items to promote needed housing development. The City has launched a progress page to track the status of these actions. Of the 35 actions laid out in the strategy, 28 are either complete or in progress. Explore the progress page.
• Do you live or work in East Portland? Want to help shape the future of the city? Consider joining the Community Involvement Committee, an advisory group that helps to guide community engagement practices for planning projects. We are recruiting two representatives for District 1. Applications due by May 31. Apply today.

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: The Proposed Draft was released on April 22 and is now available for public review. Read the announcement. The Proposed Draft incorporates feedback received on the Discussion Draft, informed by outreach to nearly 20 different neighborhoods, virtual open house discussions, community and business group presentations, as well as interviews with property owners and developers.

Revisions since the Discussion Draft include new standards for ground floor dwelling units intended to create a more livable environment for occupants and an enhanced pedestrian environment. The draft also includes amendments to the river setback in Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park to help activate the park and downtown, and additional targeted increases in height to encourage housing production.

Next opportunity to engage: A public hearing at the Planning Commission on the Proposed Draft is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 at 5 p.m. There are two ways to submit testimony to the Planning Commission. Submit written testimony through the project's Map App by Tuesday, May 26 at 5 p.m., or give oral testimony at the hearing. Pre-register for oral testimony by Monday, May 25 at 5 p.m. Check the project website, portland.gov/central-city, 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: At a fourth and final work session on March 10, the Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council adopt the proposed amendments. Read the full announcement.

Next opportunity to engage: In June, staff will release a draft of the Title 17 Bulk Fuel Capacity Reduction Regulations for public comment, which will provide additional detail for the 20% fuel drawdown concept that was presented in the Proposed Draft. There will be an opportunity for public comment on this draft code language and there will be two online information sessions for the public to learn more and ask questions. The Title 17 regulations will be part of the CEI Hub Project's submittal to the Portland City Council, which is expected to hold public hearings and deliberate on this project in the fall. A Recommended Draft will be published prior to the City Council hearings. 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.

Inner Eastside Zoning Project

What: The Inner Eastside Zoning Project will consider changes to zoning to allow for a greater variety of housing types in Portland's inner eastside neighborhoods. The goal is to make this desirable area – with its great access to jobs, public transportation, and everyday needs – more accessible to all. BPS staff will also coordinate with the Portland Bureau of Transportation to identify transportation improvements to make it safer and easier to get around. Read more about the project.

Status: The project is just getting started and staff are working on refining the project scope and timeline. Project staff are also working on compiling a background report on the project area's history, zoning and land uses, demographics, services and amenities, and transportation networks and other infrastructure, to serve as a factual basis for the project and support community discussion on project area issues.

Next opportunity to engage: Community engagement will kick off in the summer, starting out with sharing information on existing conditions and inviting community input on issues and priorities related to land use and transportation. Check the project website, portland.gov/inner-eastside, for updates. Those interested can also sign-up for email updates.

Ongoing projects (active projects with no updates this month)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Adopted projects (pending effective dates) 

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.

Useful resources

• Planning Commission
  • View tentative agendas, upcoming meeting schedules, and subscribe to receive agenda notifications.
  • Planning Commission meetings are held in hybrid format. Meetings are open to the public to attend in person, live-streamed and available on-demand, and broadcast tape-delayed on Channel 30.
  • Check individual project pages or the meeting schedule for details on making public comments.
• City Council
  • View upcoming Council meetings and subscribe to receive agenda notifications.
  • View the current Council agenda and watch the meeting live. Past meetings are available on-demand.
  • City Council meetings are held in hybrid format. Attend in person at City Hall. Read how to engage with Council.
• Map App
  • Look at interactive maps, submit testimony during public comment periods, and read submitted testimony through the BPS Map App interactive tool.
• PortlandMaps
  • Look up zoning, building permit, transportation, natural resource information, and much more 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 updates are published.