January 2017 Updates from Nan Stark, NE district liaison with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

Recommended City-wide Zoning Map and other Comprehensive Plan Early Implementation projects:

On December 21, 2016 City Council voted unanimously to amend Portland’s Zoning Map, Zoning Code and Transportation System Plan, as well as establish a new Community Involvement Program. These items make up the Recommended Early Implementation Package of the 2035 Comprehensive Plan. With their votes, the Mayor and Commissioners took their last action on the Comprehensive Plan Update.
Portland’s newly adopted 2035 Comprehensive Plan will now go to the state for acknowledgement. In early 2017, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability will organize the legislative record and transmit City Council’s decision to the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. Once transmitted, a “Notice of Adoption” will be mailed to all who testified on the Recommended Early Implementation Package. Portland’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan will tentatively take effect on January 1, 2018, following state acknowledgement. Follow the latest  information on this project here: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/58190

 

Inclusionary Housing Zoning Code Project:

On December 21, 2016 City Council voted unanimously to amend Portland’s Zoning Code and Housing Code to implement an Inclusionary Housing (IH) Program. The new program requires all new multifamily or mixed use development with 20 or more units to set aside some of the units as affordable housing. The new rules go into effect on February 1, 2017. For more information, visit the Inclusionary Housing Program website<https://www.portlandoregon.gov/phb/70578> and/or the Inclusionary Housing Zoning Code Project website<https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/71274>.

 

There will be a “Lunch and Learn” presentation about the program this Friday, January 20, noon- 1:00 pm at the Bureau of Development Services office at CH2M Center, Lincoln Conference Room (1st Floor), 2020 SW 4th Ave.

 

Residential Infill Project:

On December 7, 2016 City Council voted by resolution to approve specific concepts from the Residential Infill Concept Report, which directs staff to develop Zoning Code language and Zoning Maps to implement them. The approved concepts and amendments can be found here<https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/620381>. Read the latest on the Residential Infill Project on the project website here:http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/67729

 

Regulatory Improvement Code Amendment Project (RICAP) 8:

RICAPs provide an ongoing and rapid way to bring forward technical and minor policy amendments to land use regulations with the intent of improving clarity and supporting desirable development. A new RICAP proposal is being reviewed. The RICAP 8 report addresses 51 items: 26 propose amendments to the Zoning Code, 17 propose amendments to the Tree Code, and 8 do not propose any amendments. Public hearings on the Proposed Draft were held in December 2016 before the Urban Forestry Commission and the Planning and Sustainability Commission.  A Recommended Draft based on the two hearings will be available in mid-January. The City Council hearing is scheduled for February 15, 2017, 3 p.m. Find more information and the latest updates on the website here: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/62882 Questions? Contact Kathryn Hartinger at 503-823-9714, orKathryn.hartinger@portlandoregon.gov

 

Design Overlay Assessment Project:

The purpose of this project is to evaluate and improve the City’s design review process. Phase 1 of this project is complete, and the June 2016 research report is available here: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/588186 You can also read the September preliminary report findings presented to the Design Commission in September 2016 here:http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/596674 A final detailed set of recommendations in expected in early 2017. The public will have an opportunity to weigh in during an open house tentatively planned for February 2017.  The consultant team will then refine and produce a final report of findings and recommendations and present their work to Design Commission, Planning and Sustainability Commission and City Council in spring 2017. For more information go to: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/BPS/article/588188

 

Better Housing by Design (BHD):

The Better Housing by Design project is revising development and design standards in Portland’s multi-dwelling zones (R3, R2, R1 and RH) outside the Central City. These medium- to high-density residential zones provide opportunities for new housing to meet the needs of a growing Portland. The types of housing allowed in these areas include apartment buildings of varying sizes, four-plexes, townhouses and row houses. This project will also include a focus on East Portland, fostering better new development that reflects the area’s distinct characteristics and residents’ needs, and will coordinate with the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Connected Centers Street Plan work that is focusing on street plans for the Jade District and Rosewood/Glenfair centers.

The project is currently in its assessment phase and an assessment report is available for review here:  http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/622969 Also learn more about the project here:http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/618889

Central City Plan:

The Planning and Sustainability Commission is holding four work sessions about specific Central City elements. The next sessions are on January 24 and February 28, 2017 at 5 pm. For more information go tohttp://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/591635

 

City Council agenda:

View City Council agenda items for the upcoming weeks here :https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/article/378315 All City Council meetings will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue. All Council meetings are broadcast live at www.portlandoregon.gov/article/230361<http://www.portlandoregon.gov/article/230361>.

 

Please call or email me if there are any questions!

Nan Stark AICP, City Planner /NE District Liaison • Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability  503.823.3986 www.portlandoregon.gov/bps