Recommended City-wide Zoning Map and other Comprehensive Plan Early Implementation projects:
The City of Portland is completing the update to its Comprehensive Plan, a long-range 20-year plan that sets the framework for the physical development of the city. including the Composite Zoning Map. The Recommended Draft of the Zoning Map and Zoning Code are available on the BPS website, along with reports for the Early Implementation Projects that brought these changes forward including Mixed Use, Employment, and Campus Institutional as well as the Transportation Systems Plan update (TSP). Public hearings on the Recommended Draft of the Early Implementation projects (Mixed Use, Employment, and Campus Institutional, and Community Involvement)were held before City Council on October 6 and 13.Since then, City Council has held public work sessions to discuss proposed zoning map and code changes. Council members will introduce amendments (both map and code-related) based on public testimony. These will be published prior to the hearing, and I will send a link to the amendments document when it is available.
- Public hearing on the proposed amendments: November 17 at 2:00 pm.
- City Council vote on Comprehensive Plan Implementation: December 14 and 21 at 2:00 pm.
Inclusionary Housing Zoning Code Project:
The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and Portland Housing Bureau are working together to develop regulatory and programmatic measures to implement the Inclusionary Housing Program, which will require some affordable housing units for new projects with over 20 units. The Proposed Draft was published on September 20. The Planning and Sustainability Commission held a hearing on the Proposed Draft on October 25, 2016. They will have a 3-hour work session and vote on a recommendation to City Council on November 8, beginning at approximately 1:00 pm. City Council will hold a public hearing and consider the recommendations on December 8 at 2:00 pm. More information can be found here:https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/71274
Mass Shelter and Housing Zoning Code Update:
This project amends zoning regulations for certain shelters and housing projects and is a result of the City Council’s resolution in March to “simplify regulations, remove regulatory obstacles and expedite processes for land use reviews and permits for affordable housing projects, mass shelters and short-term housing”. It proposes to expand the situations that allow shelters by right, and reduces the level of land use review for certain shelters, short-term and affordable housing. The code update is part of a larger citywide attempt to address housing affordability and homelessness.
A Proposed Draft was released and a hearing held by the Planning and Sustainability Committee (PSC) on September 13. City Council will hold a hearing on the proposed zoning code updates on November 2 at 2:20 pm. More information can be found here: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/586218
Residential Infill Project:
The Planning and Sustainability Commission received a briefing about the Concept Report to City Councilon October 25 (there was no testimony or vote with this briefing). City Council will review and take public testimony on the concept report as follows:
- Staff presentation and work session on November 1 (open to the public but no testimony will be taken)
- Public hearings on November 9 and 16, 2016, at 2:00 pm at City Hall (sign-ups will begin one hour prior, and testifiers are limited to two minutes).
- Following the November 16 hearing, City Council will vote by resolution giving staff direction to develop Zoning Code language and Zoning Maps that will implement the concepts they approve.
Central City Plan:
The Planning and Sustainability Commission is holding four work sessions about specific Central City elements. The first one, on building height, was held on September 27. The next one on November 16will be on river-related topics and transportation projects. For more information go to http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/591635
Fossil Fuel Terminal zoning amendments:
The Fossil Fuel Terminal Zoning Amendments project begin to implement new policy direction for fossil fuel distribution and storage facilities through changes to the Zoning Code, following up on City Council’s resolutions last year to restrict fossil fuel development and expansion of bulk fossil fuel terminals. TheFossil Fuel Terminal zoning amendments Recommended Draft was released October 11. City Council will hold a hearing on the recommended draft on November 10 at 2:00 pm. Written testimony is accepted until that date.
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 a research report is now available. There will be a briefing to the Planning and Sustainability Commission on December 13 at 12:30 pm. For more information, go to https://www.portlandoregon.gov/BPS/article/588188
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 4thAvenue. All Council meetings are broadcast live at www.portlandoregon.gov/article/230361.
Please call or email if you have any questions!
—compiled by staff at the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods