2025-409

As Mayor, I request Council confirmation of the following four new appointments and two reappointments to the Development Review Advisory Committee (DRAC).

The Development Review Advisory Committee is a citizen advisory body representing those with interests in the outcome of policies, budgets, regulations, and procedures that affect development review processes. The DRAC is composed of 17 members representing different stakeholder groups, such as builders, developers, designers, and neighborhoods.

I recommend four candidates for appointment and two candidates for reappointment.

Lan Jiang 

• Licensed architect with 10 years of experience and currently works at Scott Edwards Architecture.
• Experienced in assisting non-English-speaking property and business owners through the City's permitting processes.
• Interested in helping to increase community understanding of permitting and development review processes.

Statement from Lan Jiang: I'm interested in serving on the DRAC because I believe a permitting system should be clear, transparent and equitable for all. With my professional background and community engagement, I can help bring together different perspectives from applicants, staff, and residents, and contribute to a more transparent and effective review process that supports successful development across the city.

Bryan Montanio 

• Licensed architect specializing in health-focused, sustainable, and ethical construction practices.
• Holds a Master's degree in Architecture from the Washington Alexandria Architecture Center and certifications as a Building Biology New-Build Consultant (BBNC), Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), and Living Futures Accredited professional (LFA).
• Founder of a/A Architecture and has broad experience with the City's permitting and development review requirements and processes.

Statement from Bryan Montanio: As a believer in holding our building sector to high standards and a stakeholder in the design and development community, my interest in DRAC is to play an active role in aligning these two perspectives. As the representative for Environmental Conservation and Green Building, I will aim to advise the City on projects and development that uphold high standards for building health, energy efficiency, sustainable material sourcing, and preservation of natural ecosystems.

Seth Otto 

• Professional with 20-plus years of experience in land use planning, sustainability, and community organization.
• Past Land Use & Livability Chair for Creston-Kenilworth Neighborhood Association and was active in SE Uplift Coalition.
• Has a strong understanding of the land use review processes from both professional and community roles.
• Understands how neighborhood voices can inform and improve permitting, land use review processes and development projects.

Statement from Seth Otto: Portland has been my home for two decades, where I've raised three kids and invested deeply in our neighborhood. From volunteering at local schools to organizing neighborhood fund raisers, my connection to the community is more than just residency, it's hands-on commitment. I'm determined to help make Portland great for everyone – families, businesses, all residents. Our neighborhoods are what make us special, but I know we need to grow and adapt, not just cling to the past. Whether Portland stays like the city I first fell in love with or becomes something new, it's important that neighborhood voices are heard without blocking progress. I'm interested in joining DRAC because I want to help Portland grow while keeping our unique character alive.

Mary-Rain O'Meara

• Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission and Senior Director of Community Development at Central City Concern.
• Career focus on affordable housing and community revitalization in the Portland Metro Region, including master planning for large-scale public housing, mixed-use urban development, and adaptive reuse projects.
• Mary-Rain has been designated by Planning Commission for appointment to this seat.

Statement from Mary-Rain O'Meara: As the Planning Commission representative on DRAC, I'm looking forward to understanding how the policy and zoning changes we recommend become implemented as part of the development review process. With a focus on affordable housing production and preservation, I will bring development experience to the DRAC and seek to engage around process improvements. We need to continue to innovate to remove barriers to development in the City of Portland, and the DRAC provides the venue for those discussions.

Jennifer Santhouse 

• Senior Manager of Construction Project Management at Portland General Electric with 15 years of experience in real estate transactions and development.
• Extensive familiarity with the City's land use and permitting processes, including reviews for substations, transmission lines, operations centers, and other projects.
• Former board member of the Rose City Park Neighborhood Association; current board member of Beaumont Softball Little League.

Statement from Jennifer Santhouse: Over the past 15 years, I've committed to building a community in which residents and businesses have positive interactions with new and existing development both personally through my neighborhood association and school parent-teacher organization, and professionally in the utility and real estate sectors.  I believe that we need to be cognizant of the impact of the many projects contemplated and underway, and how they weave together to create a vibrant, reflective, and supportive Portland. To me, a position on the DRAC provides an avenue for equitable, economic, and future-oriented reviews of development and processes to support thriving communities and business growth.

At Portland General Electric (PGE), I've worked within the Property Rights Organization and Construction Project Management Office to facilitate the improvement and redevelopment of substations, distribution and transmission lines and employee facilities throughout our service territory, including within the City of Portland.  And while few outside the electrical industry appreciate the beauty of these facilities, they provide for economic growth within the city, are critical to meeting our clean energy goals, and reduce customer electrical outages and wildfire risks.  In recent transmission and substation projects, we've worked closely with various bureaus to understand and satisfy the permitting requirements, but on many occasions the requirements of the bureaus contradict each other and next steps were unclear.  I am optimistic that within this role on the DRAC, I can provide insight into these issues, share learnings from other jurisdictions, and offer suggestions to create alignment between the City's planning and budgetary objectives, infrastructure requirements, and development processes. 

I'm looking forward to engaging more deeply with our City leaders and representatives to support the continuing development of Portland's businesses and communities.

Elizabeth Gomez

• The President of Bridge City Contracting since 2014, a member of the Hispanic Metro Chamber Board and held roles as Remodelers Chair of the Building Industry Association of Clark County, and served as a board member of National Association of Home Builders & Remodelers.
  • Active remodeler who collaborates with government agencies on development issues that affect the Latino community and small businesses.
  • Application for second-term DRAC membership is supported by the Portland Home Builders Association (HBA).

Statement from Elizabeth Gomez:It would be a genuine honor to contribute to the DRAC in shaping the City of Portland's goals around land use, housing, transportation, economic development, neighborhood livability, and environmental stewardship. I believe strongly in the fair and consistent application of ordinances and regulations that protect and advance our community. My professional background offers a well-informed perspective grounded in current best practices in construction and land use. I am confident that my voice will bring valuable insight to the committee's work. Should I be given the opportunity to serve, I would consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to engage in a process that promotes the greater good for all Portland residents.

These new appointments and reappointments will help ensure DRAC's ability to provide meaningful input on Portland's development review and inspection processes, improvement efforts, and alignment with the City's goals and community priorities.

The four new candidates will further broaden the committee's expertise and perspectives. Lan offers architectural experience and focus on helping non-English-speaking property and business owners navigate permitting. Bryan brings expertise in sustainable design and knowledge of the City's permitting processes from the perspective of a development focused business owner. Seth contributes land use planning and community engagement experience, with knowledge of how neighborhood voices can inform and improve development processes. Mary-Rain, as Vice chair of the Planning Commission and a career focused on community development, brings experience and expertise in affordable housing, urban development, and community revitalization.

The appointments of Elizabeth and Jennifer to second terms on DRAC will maintain their engagement in the committee and unique perspectives. Elizabeth brings valuable insight as an active remodeler, with strong connections to the Latino business community and the homebuilding industry. Jennifer contributes extensive experience in real estate, permitting, and land use at PGE, along with a community-centered perspective through neighborhood involvement.

Together, these six candidates bring a wide range of experience, professional expertise, and community perspectives that will strengthen to the committee and City.