Post-meeting summary: Zoning

This is the promised follow-up from the zoning meeting the Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association (MTNA) hosted on November 19.  The powerpoint used by City staff at this meeting is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwjTV06zgxKYMzZfc3VwQ3dfaEE/view?usp=sharing

Summary of Deadlines

• If you are concerned with the veracity of the zoning projections made in the Comprehensive Plan Map (which was made 35 years ago, by a different population), then you need to "comment" now, during the comment period for the Comprehensive Plan Map.  Hearings on the Comp Plan Map are underway NOW, and there are two hearings left: December 10 (6-9 pm, info here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/548451 ) and January 7th (6-9pm, info here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/554921).  You must arrive 45 minutes before the hearing start time to sign up for a testimony slot; not everyone will be able to testify as there are only 3 hours worth of slots. 

• If you are concerned about the new Commercial zoning definition proposals, or where they will be applied in our neighborhood, then you need to "comment" on the Mixed Use Zoning Project.  The public comment period to the planning staff has closed, but another public comment period will open again once the draft proposal is published on February 1st.  Hearings are expected to be in March.  You can get sign up for email notifications about the draft when it is published, and updates on the hearing dates on the Mixed Used Zoning Project's webpage: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/63621

• If you are concerned about the criteria being used by the City when responding to the mismatch between existing zoning, and zoning projections made in the Comprehensive Plan Map, you need to "comment" on the Residential and Open Space Zoning Map Update Project, and you need to do so BEFORE December 21 at noon.  If you have suggestions for the criteria to be used, send those to:  tabitha.Boschetti@portlandoregon.gov , or you can comment via the Map App (linked below).  For your reference, the webpage for this project is here: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/69041

Map App

Reportedly, all of the significant planning projects that are happening to make this generation's update to the Comprehensive Plan, can be seen and commented on from the Map App dashboard which is here:  https://www.portlandmaps.com/bps/mapapp/

Zoning changes coming to a lot near you!

Zoning changes are coming to properties in the Mt. Tabor Neighborhood.  

These changes are happening as part of the Comprehensive Plan process, and the Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association is hosting a presentation for Mt. Tabor neighbors, by a staffer with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.

Thursday, November 19

7:00 – 8:30 pm

basement dining hall of the Presbyterian Church at the corner of SE 55th and Belmont 

(use the main entrance off Belmont)

At this meeting…

Staffers will lay out how each of the following two Comp Plan projects will change zoning in our area:

The Residential/ Open Space Zoning Project –

·      We’ll see a map of the properties where the Comp Plan "Designation" doesn't match the site's zoning, and we’ll learn how the zoning will be changed so that the two parts match up.  Click here for a sneak peak at this map.

·      We’ll learn the metrics by which the City will make zoning-up and zoning-down decisions, as they make the "Designations" and zoning match.  The staffers will take feedback on these metrics, and suggestions for new metrics.

·      There will be time for Q & A, and you will leave with instructions on how to provide feedback to the City about these changes.

The Mixed Use Zoning Project –

·      These changes are especially relevant to SE 50^th Avenue, as they are relevant to any lot currently zoned anything that starts with a “C” (or, Commercial).  (That would include CS, CN, CO, and CG in the neighborhood.)

·      We’ll learn the new names for “Commercial” zones, and how trimming down the number of Commercial zones will impact what is allowed in each of the remaining Commercial zones.

·      We should hear specific examples of how these changes will effect SE 50^th Ave.

·      There will be time for Q & A, and you will leave with instructions on how to provide feedback to the City about these changes.