On Tuesday, Nov. 22, Portland’s Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) voted unanimously to recommend that City Council adopt the Planning Commission Code Amendments project (PCCA). This project will dissolve the existing Planning and Sustainability Commission and create the Planning Commission. The new Planning Commission will focus on land use planning and will continue to advance the goals and policies in Portland’s Comprehensive Plan, including those related to sustainability.
Why is this happening?
In 2010, the City of Portland combined the Portland Planning Commission and the Multnomah County / Portland Sustainable Development Commission to create the Planning and Sustainability Commission. Since then, the oversight responsibilities related to both land use planning and sustainability in Portland have expanded to become greater than one commission can undertake effectively. In addition, issues related to sustainability and climate change have become more prominent and urgent.
To ensure that both areas of policy development and decision-making can be addressed with the focus, time and attention each needs, the City will create two separate public bodies. The PCCA project will create the Planning Commission, and a future project will amend City Code to create a separate commission focused on sustainability and climate.
Next steps
The PCCA Recommended Draft was published for review in late December and heads to a City Council hearing scheduled for Wed., Jan. 18, 2023 at 2:00 pm. The public can sign up to testify on the Recommended Draft at that time or in writing via the Map App.