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WHEREAS, neighborhood and area plans are intended to promote patterns of land use, urban design, public and community facilities and services that encourage and contribute to the economic, social, and physical health, welfare, and safety of neighborhoods and the City as a whole; and     

WHEREAS, the Portland 2035 Comprehensive Plan includes Policy 3.90, promoting active transportation as a key component of the Inner Neighborhoods pattern area; and

WHEREAS, the Portland 2035 Comprehensive Plan includes Policy 9.5, to increase the share of trips made using active and low-carbon transportation modes; and

WHEREAS, the Portland Transportation System Plan includes policy 9.49.e, setting a target mode share of 70% daily non-drive alone trips in Portland’s Inner Neighborhoods pattern area; and

WHEREAS, North Portland in Motion will contribute to the goals of the Transportation System Plan in advancing sustainable communities via the increased use of walking, biking, and using transit to access and travel within the district; and 

WHEREAS, there are major physical and transportation barriers separating neighborhoods in the North Portland Peninsula that make increased walking, biking, and transit use more challenging; and

WHEREAS, North Portland’s existing active transportation network is disconnected and insufficient to serve everyday destinations like schools, parks, libraries, and community centers; and

WHEREAS, after the cost of housing, transportation is the most significant financial burden for a household; and

WHEREAS, getting around by walking, biking, and transit is more affordable than owning and operating an automobile; and

WHEREAS, there are a large number of affordable housing developments throughout North Portland, including New Columbia and along the Interstate Corridor, host to lower-income Portlanders; and

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 37429, passed by the Council on June 12, 2019, adopted PedPDX, Portland’s Pedestrian Master Plan, including updated pedestrian policies, classifications, and investment priorities that have been incorporated into North Portland in Motion; and 

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 36763, passed by the Council on February 11, 2010, adopted the PortlandBicycle Plan for 2030, including policies for desired spacing of bikeways that have been incorporated into North Portland in Motion; and

WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Greenway Assessment Report, developed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation in 2015, identified the need for traffic calming on neighborhood greenways to address operational needs, including reducing traffic volumes and speeds in excess of established guidelines; and

WHEREAS, the N Willamette Blvd Active Transportation Corridor project (T01036), approved by council with Ordinance 191943 , established a new organizing principle for active transportation and biking in North Portland; and

WHEREAS, the Fixing Our Streets 2 local gas tax measure approved by Portland voters in 2020 set aside $500,000 for active transportation projects on the North Portland Peninsula to be programmed by the North Portland in Motion Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Portland Clean Energy Fund Climate Investment Plan identifies Transportation Decarbonization as a major program area and sought to fund shovel-ready projects that could encourage more low-carbon active transportation travel in higher equity areas that had been vetted through a community process, including an allocation for North Portland in Motion; and

WHEREAS, North Portland in Motion was developed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation in cooperation with other City bureaus and with participation from property owners, residents, business owners, and other interested community members; and

WHEREAS, the Portland Bureau of Transportation coordinated and refined the North Portland in Motion project and program list with involvement from Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, TriMet, and other relevant city Bureaus and government agencies; and

WHEREAS, extensive public involvement has included seven Community Advisory Group meetings, highly engaged online events, two well-attended open houses, community walks and bike rides, affordable housing resident focus groups, tabling events, and involvement of neighborhood and business associations and representatives; and

WHEREAS, North Portland in Motion outlines a list of near-term projects and policies to support the continued development of the North Portland Peninsula neighborhoods and surrounding area; and

WHEREAS, North Portland in Motion supports access for pedestrians and bicyclists by providing improved crossings and completing facilities for walking and biking on designated streets within and to activity centers, consistent with the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 and PedPDX; and           

WHEREAS, North Portland in Motion prioritizes active transportation and transit projects within and connecting to equity focus areas within the plan area that have higher than average concentrations of low-income households, people of color, renters, and households that do not own a car; and

WHEREAS, North Portland in Motion prioritizes these projects and programs to help city staff and stakeholders focus their efforts effectively; and

WHEREAS, North Portland in Motion identifies the next major transportation projects and studies to focus future work in the district.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Portland adopts North Portland in Motion and its recommendations as Non-Binding City Policy attached as Exhibit A; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council directs city staff to incorporate the projects and policy recommendations found in North Portland in Motion into the next update of the PortlandTransportation System Plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that North Portland in Motion will serve as a guiding strategy for the development and implementation of near-term transportation infrastructure in the North Portland in Motion plan area and portions of surrounding neighborhoods; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City Council directs staff to apply innovative facility design solutions featured in North Portland in Motion aimed at meeting community needs at reduced expense; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council directs city staff to make implementation of the projects a priority among its efforts in North Portland and to continue to work with district stakeholders to support the funding and implementation of projects in the North Portland in Motion plan through efforts such as the Portland Clean Energy Fund and Fixing Our Streets; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Council gratefully acknowledges the excellent work and dedication of the North Portland in Motion Community Advisory Group, North Portland community-based organizations, business associations, and neighborhood associations, and other participating community members.