Portland, Oregon Development News
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Portland City Council PM Session 07/23/26
Published: Jul 23, 2026
City Council Advances Rezoning of Vacant Lot for Housing Development
The Portland City Council held a hearing to consider a comprehensive plan map amendment and zoning map amendment for a vacant lot owned by Portland Parks and Recreation. The request, made by Portland Parks and Recreation (applicant), is to rezone the 5,000 square foot vacant lot from Open Space (OS) to R5 Residential. This rezoning is intended to allow the sale and subsequent development of the lot with a house or duplex. The lot is located on Northwest 31st Avenue between Northwest Thurman and Vaughn Streets. It was previously zoned R5 until 2018 when it was rezoned to OS as part of a legislative action applying the OS zone to Parks and Recreation properties. The lot is not contiguous with Lower Mcclelay Park, despite being on the same block. The zoning map amendment includes an Environmental Conservation (C) overlay and a new Constrained Sites (Z) overlay, which restricts development to a house or duplex. The hearings officer recommended approval, finding that the proposed amendments meet the criteria for consistency with the comprehensive plan and ensure adequate public services. Council debated the process, the motivation for the sale, the ownership history, potential development impacts, and outreach to neighbors. Ultimately, the council tentatively upheld the hearings officer's recommendations and moved to approve the application, with a final adoption of findings scheduled for August 6th. [cite: 62-68, 176-190, 200-212, 221-238, 239-281, 282-350, 386-395, 403-408, 424-431, 435-441, 473-479, 556-561, 581-585, 587-603, 635-637, 637-667, 748-765, 778-798, 843-870, 870-896, 921-923, 926-930, 936-941]
City Council Approves Ordinance Establishing TNC Driver Resource Center and Clarifying Fees
The City Council considered an ordinance to amend the vehicles and traffic code to clarify ride fees and establish a driver's resource center for transportation network company (TNC) drivers. The ordinance aims to clarify the applicability of ride fees and create a resource center to assist drivers with issues like deactivations and account problems. An amendment (Purlein Novik 2) was introduced to clarify definitions, specify the role of the city administrator in designating a customer service supervisor, and emphasize that the driver resource center does not exercise regulatory or adjudicatory authority. This amendment was reviewed and supported by TNCs (Uber, Lyft), the drivers' union leadership, and PEABOT. The ordinance was declared an emergency due to ongoing driver deactivations and the need for timely protections and support. The ordinance and its emergency clause passed with 12 'I' votes. [cite: 966-971, 980-1057, 1060-1061, 1066-1086, 1091-1099, 1117-1126, 1127-1128, 1130-1157, 1185-1211, 1214-1327, 1336-1357, 1359-1395, 1400-1418, 1436-1456, 1471-1493]
City Council Considers New Requirements for EV Charging System Installations
The City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance (document number 2026-209) that adds a new chapter to the city code (21.11) establishing workforce requirements for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging systems funded in part by the city. These requirements mandate that contractors hold all necessary electrical installation licenses and possess certification through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) or an equivalent. For installations of 25 kilowatts or more, at least 25% of the electricians performing the work must hold EVITP certification. The ordinance exempts installations for single-family dwellings, townhouses, and multi-family buildings with four or fewer units. The Bureau of Fleet and Facilities Management's Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund will provide annual reports to the council on projects subject to these requirements. The ordinance was recommended for passage by the City Life Committee. [cite: 987-1057, 3907-3960]
Council Debates, Amends, and Ultimately Rejects Complex Proposals for Affordable Housing Sales; Passes Underlying SDC Exemption Ordinance
The City Council discussed amendments to an ordinance regarding system development charge (SDC) exemptions for affordable housing developments. The original ordinance proposed removing income requirements for homeownership units to address unsold inventory. Councilmember Pleini introduced an amendment (Pleini Coyama Lane 1) that proposed a phased approach, allowing higher income levels (120%, then 140% of AMI) after certain periods if homes remain unsold, before removing the income requirement entirely after 180 days. This amendment also directed the Housing Bureau to identify funds for down payment assistance and improve program marketing. Several council members debated the administrative burden, the impact on developers, and potential diversion of funds from other housing programs like the North Portland Preference Policy. Concerns were raised about the complexity of the amendment and the capacity of the Housing Bureau. The Pleini Coyama Lane 1 amendment failed. Councilmember Duny then proposed an amendment (Duny 1) to a separate program (Three-Bedroom F Density Bonus) that would remove income restrictions after 90 days, revise penalty calculations, and provide city administrator discretion for hardship cases. This amendment also failed. The council then proceeded to discuss the underlying ordinance for SDC exemptions, which aims to remove income requirements to help sell existing affordable housing units. [cite: 1511-2952]
City Council Extends Lease for City Kids Childcare Center
The City Council approved the extension of a lease with Urban Office and Parking Facilities for the City Kids Childcare and Development Center space for an additional five years. This involved amending CLM Contract 100014. The ordinance passed its second reading. [cite: 950-954, 956-963]
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The Portland News archive
July 23, 2026 Finance and Governance Committee of the Whole agenda - Video
Portland City Council AM Session 07/22/26
July 21, 2026 Housing and Permitting Committee agenda - Video
Portland City Council PM Session 07/16/26
Portland City Council PM Session 07/15/26
July 15, 2026 Finance and Governance Committee of the Whole agenda - Video
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