Keizer City Council advances regional scenario planning for climate-friendly transportation

The City Council Work Session held on February 24, 2024, in Keizer, Oregon, focused on the ongoing development of the transportation system plan and its connection to climate-friendly and equitable community initiatives. Key discussions revolved around the scenario planning project, which involves collaboration among Marion County, Polk County, the City of Keizer, and the City of Salem.

City officials reported that the scenario planning project is progressing, with a second advisory committee meeting scheduled for January. This meeting will allow consultants to present their findings on transportation modeling, which is crucial for updating the transportation system plan. The timeline for completion has been extended, reflecting the complexity of the project.

The council also addressed the Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) planning, which is mandated by an executive order from the governor. This initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from light motor vehicles and requires local jurisdictions to develop strategies for sustainable land use and transportation. The city has already completed a climate-friendly area study and is moving into the implementation phase, which includes updating zoning codes to meet state requirements.

Council members acknowledged the challenges posed by the executive order, particularly after a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the mandate. The city is now obligated to comply with the new regulations, which include increasing building heights and density requirements in designated climate-friendly areas.

In conclusion, the council's discussions highlighted the city's commitment to advancing its transportation system plan while adhering to state mandates for climate-friendly development. The next steps involve further public engagement and updates to local codes to ensure compliance with the new standards by the June 2026 deadline.