The purpose of the Northwest Transportation Fund is to ensure that a source of funding is available to finance the implementation of mitigation measures and the construction of transportation improvements that become necessary when new development causes the use of transportation facilities in the area to intensify.

The Northwest Transportation Fund applies to commercial development in Subdistrict B in the Guild’s Lake Industrial Sanctuary Plan District and the area north of NW Pettygrove Street, on sites zoned EX in the Northwest Plan District. For each contribution to the Northwest Transportation Fund, a bonus of one square foot of additional floor area above the 1:1 base floor area ratio (FAR) that may be in nonresidential use is earned, up to the maximum total floor area that is allowed on the site. The amount of floor area that is allowed on the site is regulated by Portland City Code Title 33, Planning and Zoning.

Applicants must remit the Northwest Transportation Fund fee prior to the issuance of building permits.

1. A. The Northwest Transportation Fund fee of $2.90 is based upon a cost per square foot of nonresidential development up to the amount of floor area allowed by Portland City Code Title 33, Planning and Zoning. Any appeal of the application of the Northwest Transportation Fund fee is to the City Administrator. The City Administrator may establish an appeal fee that will cover the full cost of processing the appeal.
2. B. The Northwest Transportation Fund fee will be increased or decreased on July 1 of each year. The change will occur automatically, and the new dollar amount will be filed with the City Auditor. The change will be based on the 10-year moving average percentage fluctuation of the Oregon Composite Construction Cost Index. Any increase or decrease that is not a multiple of 5 cents will be rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 cents.
3. C. The Bureau of Transportation is authorized to refund the Northwest Transportation Fund fee, without further Council action, where the nonresidential development approved by building permit is not constructed and the building permit is cancelled. There is a charge of $500 for processing a refund request.

The City Administrator may adopt administrative rules as authorized by Charter.

All monies derived from the Northwest Transportation Fund will be placed in the Northwest Transportation Fund Account. Funds in the Northwest Transportation Fund will be used to provide transportation improvements in the area bounded by NW Pettygrove St, NW Nicolai St, the I-405 freeway, and NW 27^th Ave or in the immediate vicinity, as need arises. Funds may be used to address existing transportation deficiencies and the transportation impacts of growth. Funds in the Northwest Transportation Fund may be used for purposes that include:

1. A. Transportation analysis.
2. B. Design and construction plan preparation.
3. C. Permitting.
4. D. Right-of-way acquisition, including costs of acquisition or condemnation.
5. E. Relocation of public utilities.
6. F. Construction of new lanes for vehicular or transit use.
7. G. Construction of turn lanes.
8. H. Construction of bridges.
9. I. Design, purchase and installation of traffic signs and signals.
10. J. Design and construction of pedestrian or bicycle facilities.
11. K. Design and construction of drainage facilities.
12. L. Design and construction of curbs, curb extensions, and medians.
13. M. Construction management and inspection.
14. N. Surveying and soils and materials testing, including environmental testing.
15. O. Landscaping.
16. P. Transit facilities.
17. Q. Demolition that is part of the construction of any of the improvements.
18. R. Payment of principal and interest, necessary reserves and costs of issuance under any bonds or other indebtedness issued by the City to provide money to construct or acquire the transportation facilities.
19. S. Administrative costs of establishing, maintaining, and administering the fund.