FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Michael Cox, 503-823-6593
Council Approves Mayor’s Appointment to Planning and Sustainability Commission
Benvenuto (Ben) Bortolazzo becomes newest of the 11-member commission
PORTLAND, OR – On August 3, 2017, City Council approved Mayor Ted Wheeler’s nominee to the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC), Ben Bortolazzo. He fills the remaining open position on the PSC. The PSC had its first meeting with the newest member August 22.
“Mr. Bortolazzo brings quality design and community engagement experience to the PSC,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler. “I’m pleased to have him as our next appointment to the PSC and look forward to his contributions to this advisory body.”
Benvenuto currently leads the Otak Portland Planning and Design team, a highly skilled multi-disciplinary design team engaged in shaping successful communities. He holds a Master of Architecture degree with a certificate in Urban Design from the University of Washington, as well as an Architecture Diploma from IUAV in Venice, Italy.
“I was born in Italy,” Bortolazzo told Council. “Influenced by some of the world’s famous public spaces, I studied architecture and urban design. When my wife and I moved here from Italy about 12 years ago, we deliberately chose to live in Portland because of its livability, walkability and great public realm. I am passionate about urban form and urban design that contributes to creating a sense of place.”
Katherine Schultz, PSC Chair and an architect, said, “Ben’s reputation for thoughtful, responsive, exciting work is so solid in our community. I’m excited to have a design professional of his caliber join us.”
The PSC is a group of 11 volunteers with expertise in a range of areas. They spend many hours each month reviewing plans and policies that affect land use and all sectors of the community, hearing from the public, and making recommendations to City Council. Unlike many other cities where the Planning Commission is made up of people primarily from the development community, Portland’s Planning and Sustainability Commission embraces a much broader approach. Each PSC member brings a set of knowledge, talents and experiences, including architecture, transportation, housing, the environment, economic development and the law.
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