Portland, OR Residential Infill update

[Mathew Wray]

Got an update from the city on the proposed Residential Infill Program including some updates and some links that I wanted to pass on:

What is this project about?

Residential Infill Project is updating Portland’s single-dwelling zoning rules to better meet the changing housing needs of current and future residents. The project addresses increasing the range of available housing options while limiting the size of buildings and improving building design. For more information visit the project website at: www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/infill

PSC begins review of the Revised Proposed Draft of the Residential Infill Project

Last September, the PSC gave project staff direction to revise the Residential Infill Proposed Draft to reflect their possible amendments. The commissioners wanted to see how their suggested changes could affect the proposal overall. At a PSC meeting on February 12, staff will brief the commission on the Revised Proposed Draft, which incorporates their possible amendments. The briefing will be followed by PSC work sessions, with a vote on their recommendations to City Council anticipated in March.

Key Changes from the Proposed Draft

• Increase additional housing options to include up to four units (fourplexes) on both corner and non-corner lots.
• Allow additional housing options in all R2.5, R5 and R7 (single-dwelling) zones except:
  • Areas with flood or landslide hazards or significant natural resources. These areas, designated by a new “z” Constrained Sites overlay zone, will retain existing regulations for corner duplexes or one accessory dwelling unit with a house.
  • Lots that do not meet minimum lot sizes for three or four units (R2.5 = 3,200 sq ft; R5 = 4,500 sq ft; R7 = 5,000 sq ft)
  • Infrastructure constraints, including lack of paved streets, sewer or water service.
• Increase the allowed size (FAR) for duplexes and triplexes (no increase for a fourplex). Examples on an R5 (5,000 sq ft lot):
  • 2,500 sq ft – house (same as Proposed Draft)
    3,000 sq ft – building with two units
  • 3,500 sq ft – building with three or four units
• Bonus FAR for keeping an existing house or for providing one affordable unit at 80% MFI.
• Allow historically narrow lots in R5 to be built with a pair of attached houses.
• Eliminate minimum parking requirements.

The following Revised Proposed Draft reports have been posted on the project website.

• Project Summary | 8-page summary of the 12 key proposals
• Volume 1: Staff Report and Map Amendments | Report includes introduction, analysis of 12 key proposals and map amendments
• Volume 2: Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan Amendments | Report includes amendments to Zoning Code and Portland Comprehensive Plan

• | Memorandum, Dec. 5, 2018, from Johnson Economics LLC describes economic analysis methodology and findings for the Revised Proposed Draft. You can watch the (RIP starts at 2:25:00).

• |Maps and rationale for selecting areas with concentrations of historically narrow lots to rezone from R5 to R2.5 reflect PSC’s possible amendments. (Update reflects R5 lots that were rezoned through other projects.)
• | BPS analysis of the displacement impacts of PSC’s possible amendments on affected vulnerable communities and potential mitigation strategies.

Appendices that have not been revised can be found here.

Explore the Map App. Parcel-specific information is available through an updated Map App that reflects the revised mapping proposals.

PSC Upcoming Meetings on the Revised Proposed Draft (Please confirm the date and time on the agenda one week prior by visiting the PSC calendar)

• Tuesday, February 12 – Briefing: Revised Proposed Draft (RIP is on agenda from 2 to 4 p.m.).Staff will walk the Commission through their revised proposals to see how their tentative amendments work together as a package.
• Tuesday, February 26 and Tuesday, March 12: Work Sessions and Possible Vote

When will the public get to weigh in on these amendments?

The PSC’s possible amendments took into consideration the public testimony they received last spring on the Proposed Draft of the Residential Infill Project. They are anticipating making their recommendations to the City Council in March. The public will be able to provide testimony on these recommendations to City Council as part of their review — anticipated in summer 2019.

Want more information on the PSC’s work sessions and proposed changes?

The dates of the eight PSC work sessions and accompanying materials are posted on the project website under Planning and Sustainability Commission Materials. All PSC meetings are streamed live, and past meetings may be viewed at Portland BPS YouTube channel.