Public testimony for the 2035 Portland Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) closes Thursday, Jan. 7, after the final City Council hearing from 6 to 9 p.m. at Self Enhancement Center, Inc., located at 3920 N. Kirby Ave. All forms of testimony—regular mail, email and telephone—must be received no later than the deadline to be considered in the 2035 Plan’s final version. Currently, one more council hearing for final review of the amended plan will be held sometime in the spring; the time, date, location, and range of comments allowed are to be announced at a future date.
One example of what the 2035 Comprehensive Plan determines is how the Rossi, Giusto and Garre farm properties—at Northeast 122nd Avenue and along Shaver Street—are to be classified: R5 (Residential, one dwelling every 5,000 sq. ft.) or Commercial and R3 (apartments). Deadline to submit comments about this and all other issues is midnight on Thursday, January 7.
STAFF/2015
What does the city plan for your neighborhood?
The Comp Plan is Portland’s long-range development plan for the next 20 years and serves as the basis for the city’s decisions on zoning and planning. What your neighborhood becomes, what changes take place and even how you live in your neighborhood for the next two decades depends on your neighborhood’s zoning, and those decisions come from the Comp Plan. This is citizens’ last chance to have your voice heard before it’s finalized.
Find the current zoning for your home and for your entire neighborhood, go to the city’s website: www.portlandmaps.com. This site has a wealth of information, not just zoning. Once there, type in your address and click on “Search.” When the screen showing a map with the outline of your home comes up, go to the menu bar at the top of the page where the word “Explorer” is in bold type, move the cursor to the word “Maps” and a line of options will appear below. Click on the word “Zoning” and a zoning map and key will appear showing the zoning for your property and your overall neighborhood. If everything looks fine, that means everything is fine—for now.
If you’re without computer or Internet access, call the city’s Planning and Sustainability Bureau at 503-823-7526 and ask them to check your zoning.
To see what the future holds, go to another city website, www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/mapapp. There are several map choices on the opening page. Click the “View Map” button for the first map listed “Land Uses” and the map showing the 2035 Comprehensive Plan proposed changes appear. Move your mouse to your exact location or type in a specific address in the box provided. A note referring to that specific address will appear. The three buttons in the upper left corner of the screen enlarge (+), reduce (-), or show the map legend color code corresponding to the colors on the map which show the proposed future uses. In addition, there’s an option to see the area as an aerial photograph. Search the site for further explanations and more detail.
If you don’t like what you see, this is the last chance for possible change. Send comments by email or regular mail; testify at the Jan. 7 hearing. Comments are reviewed by the city planning staff, and staff leaders are meeting with city council members in work sessions to adjust the plan in light of the public input received. Remember the comment period for all forms of testimony ends midnight Jan. 7.
How to Submit Comments:
Interactive Map App (the website you just visited): www.portlandmaps.com/bps/mapapp/
Email: cputestimony@portlandoregon.gov
No computer? Call 503-823-7526 and ask them to check your zoning.
US Mail:
Comprehensive Plan Testimony
c/o Council Clerk
1221 S.W. 4th Ave., Room 130
Portland, OR 97201
In person, at the last City Council Hearing:
Jan. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Self Enhancement, Inc.
3920 N. Kirby Ave.
Sign up prior to the hearing if you want to testify. Sheets are available one hour before each hearing. Testimony is limited to two minutes per person. You must be present when your name is called or the opportunity to speak will be lost.
