Salem, Oregon Development News
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City of Salem Work Session - July 20, 2026
Published: Jul 20, 2026
Our Salem Project Update: Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Map, and Code Changes Adopted
The Planning Division provided an overview of the 'Our Salem' project, a multi-year initiative to update the city's Comprehensive Plan, zoning map, and zoning code, which was adopted by City Council in 2022. The project involved extensive community engagement to gather input on priorities for future growth and development, including housing, businesses, equity, and climate. The updated Comprehensive Plan includes a vision statement and goals and policies translated into changes on the zoning and comprehensive plan maps. This resulted in rezoning over 10,000 properties, adding over 1,500 acres of mixed-use land along transit corridors and over 3,300 acres of multifamily land citywide. New zoning categories like 'Neighborhood Hubs' were introduced to allow small-scale services and businesses within residential neighborhoods. Zoning code changes created new mixed-use zones (Mixed Use Three and Mixed Use Riverfront) and the Neighborhood Hub Zone, with revisions also aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, aligning with the Climate Action Plan. The project has enabled over 1500 housing units that would not have been previously allowed or would have required extensive public hearings, and facilitated mixed-use developments like the Cannery project. The document was also translated into Spanish for the first time. Future long-range planning projects stemming from Our Salem include a Transportation System Plan, Park System Plan, and Housing Production Strategy.
Salem in Motion Project to Overhaul Transportation System Plan
The Transportation Planning Manager presented an update on the Salem in Motion project, which aims to update the city's Transportation System Plan (TSP). The current TSP, developed in the late 1990s and last comprehensively updated in 1998, is overdue for revision, with elements like the street system last updated in 2007 and bicycle/pedestrian elements in 2012. The update is driven by the need to align with the Climate Action Plan's strategies for low-emission transportation and to comply with new state Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities rules. Phase one, the Salem Keizer Regional Scenario Plan, was submitted to the state for approval. Phase two, focusing on the city's policies, projects, and vision, is nearing launch. The state is providing significant funding for the update, which is expected to take approximately two and a half years to complete. A key change from the current plan is the requirement for the new TSP to be financially constrained, necessitating a thorough analysis of anticipated revenues and needs through 2050. The planning process will involve three phases: analyzing existing conditions, developing a future system framework, and identifying preferred solutions and the final document.
City Council Receives Updates on Wastewater, Water, and Stormwater Master Plans
The Utility Master Planner provided an update on the ongoing revisions to three utility master plans: Wastewater Collection System Master Plan, Water System Master Plan, and Stormwater Master Plan. These 20-year plans guide infrastructure investments, recommend capital improvement projects, set level of service goals, and provide policy recommendations. The Wastewater Collection System Master Plan is scheduled for its first reading on August 10th and a public hearing on September 14th. Final drafts for the Water System Master Plan and Stormwater Master Plan are expected in Fall 2026 and early 2027, respectively. Preliminary recommendations for the Wastewater plan include reducing inflow and infiltration, decreasing sanitary sewer overflows, completing a seismic resiliency study, and upgrading undersized lines. The Water System plan focuses on improving resiliency and redundancy, exploring secondary sources, and repairing aging infrastructure. The Stormwater Master Plan includes updated basin plans for Glen Gibson, West Bank, and Upper Clark basins, primarily targeting flood risk reduction. The discussion also touched upon the challenges of extending infrastructure to new development areas, particularly in the South Salem Hills, and the 'chicken and egg' problem of needing development to justify infrastructure investment, and vice versa. Innovative funding mechanisms, including developer reimbursement programs and exploring alternative financial tools beyond utility rates and bonds, are being considered to spur development in areas with high upfront infrastructure costs.
Climate Action Plan Progress and Riparian Corridor Project Update Presented
Juliana Douglas, Climate Action Plan Manager, presented on the integration of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) into long-range planning. The CAP, created after council set greenhouse gas reduction goals in 2020 (50% reduction by 2035, carbon neutral by 2050), was developed collaboratively with a 41-member stakeholder task force. It includes 183 strategies across seven categories and was accepted by City Council in 2022. The CAP is a community-wide effort involving multiple agencies and organizations. Progress reports indicate that about two-thirds of the strategies are in progress, ongoing, or completed, while one-third are not started or under review. Recent completed work includes pedestrian and bicycle safety PSAs, the Municipal Energy Master Plan, certification of three additional green businesses, support for businesses receiving green biz grants, and increased enrollment in strategic energy management programs. Projects in progress include supporting two renewable energy projects for the city, charge smart certification, and the draft waste reduction policy. A heat mapping campaign was also scheduled for the upcoming weekend. Meredith Greer, Natural Resources Planning Manager, discussed the Riparian Corridor Project, identified in Our Salem, which involves a two-phase process: local resources inventory and regulatory protections. This phase identified 109 miles of streams (83 fish-bearing) and 137 wetlands within 50 feet of streams, with 115 wetlands considered locally significant. Phase one involves submitting documentation to the Department of State Lands and updating the waterways map. Phase two will focus on code protections led by the Community Planning and Development team. The presentation highlighted the interconnectedness of these plans in advancing climate goals and sustainable development.
City Council Receives Update on Comprehensive Parks System Master Plan
The Parks and Recreation Department presented an update on the Comprehensive Parks System Master Plan, a long-range planning project aimed at updating the city's park strategy. The plan, originally adopted in 1989 with a comprehensive update in 2013, is being revised to serve as a strategic roadmap for investment over the next decade and beyond, aligning future investments with current community needs, growth, and city priorities. The update will establish park classifications, level of service standards for recreational amenities, park area planning goals, and capital investment strategies. Key challenges identified include aging parks with deteriorating infrastructure, the need to ensure ADA accessibility, and gaps in asset and condition data. The project is broken into four phases over several years, starting with an initial assessment and inventory, followed by identifying community needs and opportunities, defining the future park system, and finally, implementation strategies. The department is also exploring new funding mechanisms, including potential bond initiatives, grant leveraging, and public-private partnerships, to support park development and maintenance.
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