457-2022

May 25, 2022

SUBJECT:      Portland Design Commission 2021 State of the City Design Report

The attached report is the Annual Report of the Portland Design Commission State of the City Design Report for 2021.  The report is required by the Portland Zoning Code [Title 33] to fulfill the Annual Report requirement for Commission’s actions and accomplishments for each fiscal year.

Current Issues before Council today:

The Design Commission is a particularly active volunteer Commission, meeting 33 times in 2021 for Land Use cases, Design Advice Requests (a form of early assistance to Design Review customers prior to submitting their Design Review applications) and briefings on significant matters including the adoption of the new Portland Citywide Design Guidelines, the Burnside Bridge Replacement, Vertical Infrastructure in the Right of Way (concealed “small cell” 5g & 4g antennas within street light poles), and Portland Pedestrian Design Guide.

The premise of this 2021 State of the City Design Report is How and Why Design Review Matters in Portland Now.  The Design Commission will present an overview of how Design Review has influenced the very fabric of our pedestrian-oriented City for the past 40 years: we have built a walkable, vibrant, diverse and easily accessible Central City that is admired by the world for its planning and design innovation.  Design Commission will explain why now, more than ever, the application of Design Review’s three tenets: 1. Context, 2. Public Realm, and 3. Quality & Permanence is so critical to maintaining our city’s design reputation for all who live, work and play here.

Led by the new Design Commission Chair Sam Rodriguez, all the Design Commissioners will be participating in the presentation in their respective areas of expertise across these three tenets.  I look forward to hearing more from Sam and all the Commissioners at their presentation and hearing your comments and questions.

Background, from 33.710.050:

DESIGN COMMISSION

The Design Commission provides leadership and expertise on urban design and architecture and advances the purpose of the Design overlay zone.

The Design Commission consists of seven members, none of whom may hold public elective office.  The Commission must include a representative of the Regional Arts and Culture Council, one person representing the public at-large, and Five members experienced in either urban planning, design, architecture, landscape architecture, natural resource management, sustainable building practices, engineering, financing, construction or management of buildings, or land development. No more than two members may be appointed from any one of these areas of expertise.  The Regional Arts and Culture Council member is nominated by the Regional Arts and Culture Council chair and approved by the Mayor.  The other members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.

The Design Commission meets at least once a month and as necessary to act on reviews assigned to them by this Title 33.  Meetings are conducted in accordance with adopted rules of procedure.  Four members constitute a quorum at a meeting.  The election of officers takes place at the first meeting of each calendar year.

The Design Commission may divide its membership into special subcommittees which are authorized to act on behalf of the Commission for an assigned purpose. Three members of the Commission constitute a quorum on such subcommittees. Subcommittee actions require the affirmative vote of at least three members.

Powers and duties:

The Design Commission has all of the powers and duties which are assigned to it by Title 33 or by City Council.  The Commission powers and duties include:

1. Reviewing major developments within design districts, except those projects involving or located within the following:
   1. Historic Districts;
   2. Conservation Districts;
   3. Historic Landmarks; and
   4. Conservation Landmarks.
2. Recommending the establishment, amendment, or removal of the Design overlay zone and design districts to the Planning and Sustainability Commission;
3. Recommending design guidelines for adoption by City Council except for guidelines for Historic Districts and Conservation Districts;
4. Reviewing other land use requests assigned to the Design Commission; and
5. Providing advice on design matters to the Hearings Officer, Planning and Sustainability Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, Portland Development Commission, City Council, and other City Bureaus or public agencies when necessary or requested.

The following exhibits are included:

Exhibit A: Annual Portland Design Commission 2021 State of the City Design Report.
Exhibit B: A document tracking 2021 meetings and Design Commission-related work for the year.