By Aneesa Grant, The Portland Medium
Responding to the ongoing housing crisis, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability in Portland has introduced a set of zoning code amendments as part of the Housing Regulatory Relief Project. These amendments aim to provide regulatory relief for developers and builders of apartments and mixed-use developments, with the goal of boosting housing production in the city.
In a move to engage community members in the decision-making process, the Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, October 24, at 5 p.m. This hearing will offer an opportunity for citizens to provide input and feedback on the Housing Regulatory Relief Project, either in writing or in person.
On Tuesday, September 26, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability staff briefed commissioners on the proposals, ensuring a thorough understanding of the project.
According to officials, the Housing Regulatory Relief Project addresses a range of zoning code issues identified in a housing production survey conducted by the Bureau of Development Services in early 2023. The project seeks to enhance housing production by implementing both temporary waivers and permanent changes to zoning regulations.
Key areas addressed by the project include requirements for bike parking, ground floor active use and height, nonconforming upgrades, bird-safe glazing, eco-roofs, façade articulation, neighborhood contact, and onsite loading spaces.
Additionally, staff from the bureaus of Planning and Sustainability and Development Services have explored other zoning issues that may benefit housing production if temporarily paused. These include development standards triggered by “major remodels,” design exemptions for security gates and lighting, Central City masterplan amendments, Design Review process types, land use approval criteria related to on-street parking, and expiration dates for land use approvals.
The Housing Regulatory Relief Proposed Draft includes zoning code amendments that temporarily waive or reduce certain zoning code standards. These amendments will last for five years and, unless otherwise specified, apply to developments that include residential units. They encompass various aspects of the zoning code, including development and design standards affecting ground floor active uses, bicycle parking, loading standards, nonconforming upgrades, and design exemptions for security gates.
To gather insights into the challenges faced in the construction of much-needed housing units, the City conducted a survey among development professionals. This survey sought input from architects, attorneys, design professionals, engineers, planning consultants, for-profit and nonprofit developers, business associations, private sector permitting services, property owners, and City staff.
Participants were asked to rank the top five new housing development requirements that should be suspended or modified to encourage new housing development. The project’s proposals reflect the feedback received from the survey, which garnered 611 responses.
Community members are encouraged to review the Housing Regulatory Relief Proposed Draft and provide testimony either in writing or in person at the upcoming public hearing. The public hearing on October 24 will be a hybrid format, allowing participation in person or virtually through various devices. Registration to testify in advance is required, with the deadline set for Monday, October 23, at 5 p.m. Individuals will have up to three minutes to testify, unless otherwise stated during the hearing.
Those wishing to submit written testimony can do so electronically, with written testimony due by the end of the October 24 hearing. Written testimony should include the author’s name and address and can be sent to: Portland Planning Commission, Housing Regulatory Relief Testimony, 1810 SW 5th Ave, Suite 710, Portland, OR 97201.
Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission will carefully consider all written and oral testimony and is scheduled to vote on the proposals in November. Subsequently, their recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council for further consideration, followed by additional public review and comment. A City Council hearing date is yet to be determined.
