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433-2024

Report

Reappoint Ezra Hammer and Caryn Urata to the Adjustment Committee for terms to expire July 14, 2028

Accepted

As Mayor and Commissioner of Finance & Administration, I request Council confirmation of the following reappointments to the Portland Adjustment Committee.

The Adjustment Committee hears appeals of Bureau of Development Services staff decisions made on Type II Adjustment land use reviews. Ezra has been serving one of the three Public-at-Large positions on the Committee. Caryn has been serving in the Urban Design, Architecture or Landscape Architecture. Both Ezra and Caryn have expressed interest in being reappointed for an additional four-year term. Per Zoning Code Section 33.710.030, Committee members are allowed to serve up to a maximum of two, four-year terms. 

I recommend reappointing Ezra Hammer and Caryn Urata to a second four-year term on the Adjustment Committee. 

ReappointmentMembership Category2nd Full Term
Ezra HammerPublic-at-LargeJuly 15, 2024 – July 14, 2028
Caryn UrataUrban Design, Architecture or Landscape ArchitectureJuly 15, 2024 – July 14, 2028

Ezra Hammer is a Land Use Attorney at Jordan Ramis. He has had a multi-faceted career in land use development, including his work as land use planner with a Los Angeles councilperson where he collaborated with diverse community stakeholders to identify neighborhood specific needs related to development projects. In his current work with Jordan Ramis, he brings a deep knowledge of local and state government policies pertaining to land use development and long-range planning coupled with an outstanding knowledge of municipal laws and procedures. He has a Bachelor in Political Science/Public Policy from UCLA, and a Juris Doctor from the University of California Hastings. If appointed, Ezra’s second term would be July15, 2024 through July 14, 2028.

Statement from Ezra Hammer: I bring a wealth of land use experience and have worked on development projects in my capacity as an attorney, a land use planner, and a neighborhood activist. Additionally, my background and upbringing have taught me the importance of looking at issues through the lens of equity and fairness…Growing up in a low-income community in Oakland, California, I experienced firsthand the structural disadvantages that marginalized communities face on a day-to-day basis…These experiences have driven me to diligently support those facing difficulties.

Caryn Urata is a licensed architect in Oregon and Washington, currently employed with TriMet as an assistant project manager responsible for design and construction management. Prior to her employment with TriMet, she was the sole proprietor for Adobe PDX Architecture and has worked in a number of other architecture firms over the past 19 years. She has two Bachelor degrees from the University of Pennsylvania as well as a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington. She has been actively involved with the Portland AIA Emerging Professionals Committee, Irvington Land Use Committee and the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center. If appointed, Caryn’s second term would be from July 15, 2024 through July 14, 2028.

Statement from Caryn Urata: As a minority woman in the male-dominant fields of architecture, engineering and construction, I have experienced and continue to experience resistance to my interest and very presence in these industries…My personal experience epitomizes the assumptions we are all prone to make and how inaccurate, insensitive, damaging, devaluing and inappropriate profiling is. It underlies the importance of listening without judgement. Living abroad for several years exposed me to how other cultures live and provided insight in how others perceive an interact with someone unlike themselves…These life lessons continue to influence my thought process and inform my decisions supporting inclusivity and equity.

With these appointments, the Adjustment Committee will maintain the required minimum of four Commissioners.

I recommend reappointing Ezra Hammer and Caryn Urata to a second four-year term on the Adjustment Committee. 

Impact Statement

Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information

The reappointments will be for two positions on the Adjustment Committee as required by Portland City Code Title 33.710.070: the Public at Large position (for Ezra Hammer); and the Urban Design, Architecture or Landscape Architecture position (for Caryn Urata). 

Financial and Budgetary Impacts

Reappointments to the Adjustment Committee are citizen-volunteer positions, so no revenue or expenses are incurred by these positions. 

Community Impacts and Community Involvement

The Adjustment Committee consists of seven volunteers from the community, who can serve up to two, four-year terms. This review body is specifically intended to provide an opportunity for citizen involvement and provide community expertise for specialized topic areas (PCC 33.710.010.) The Adjustment Committee provides a forum where the community may appeal decisions on Adjustment reviews, and an opportunity for the general public to submit written and verbal comments into the land use record. The deliberation of the Committee in deciding on each appeal is made in a public hearing setting to which the public are invited.

100% Renewable Goal

This proposal is for an appointment of an individual to a volunteer commission; therefore, this goal is not applicable to this action.

This legislation appoints citizen volunteers to serve on the Adjustment Committee and will therefore have no impact on the City’s energy use. This legislation neither contributes to nor detracts from the City’s goal of meeting 100% of community-wide energy needs with renewable energy by 2050.

Document History

Agenda Council action
Consent Agenda
City Council
Confirmed

Votes
  • Aye (5):
    • Ryan
    • Rene Gonzalez
    • Mingus Mapps
    • Carmen Rubio
    • Ted Wheeler

Requested Agenda Type

Consent

Date and Time Information

Requested Council Date
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