Portland Council to Consider Zoning Amendments

The proposed zoning and land use changes would offer bigger incentives for developers of ‘moderately priced’ housing and relax some restrictions that builders say drive up the cost of construction.

1 minute read

January 15, 2024, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View looking up at vintage neon PORTLAND sign and modern high-rise building in Portland, Oregon.

Devin Allphin / Adobe Stock

Zoning reform is back in the spotlight in Portland as the city council prepares to consider a package of zoning changes designed to spur more housing development, reports Jayati Ramakrishnan in The Oregonian.

“The biggest proposed change would offer deeper property tax exemptions to developers for building moderately priced apartments in areas just outside the central city, including Slabtown or the inner Eastside.” Other proposals would reduce current bike parking requirements, allow residential units on ground floors, and relax other rules that developers say slow down the process.

The most controversial amendments were those proposed at the last minute by Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, which call for a postponement of two major environmental requirements until 2029: green roofs and bird-safe glass. 

Thursday, January 11, 2024 in The Oregonian

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