[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6460827,"mediaKeyId","5827486-27e4ea0970f2c0b62d0231f6f0c384e2","parentId",5827486,"title","Bureau of Planning and Sustainability releases Inner East infrastructure study; identifies areas for targeted land‑use work and infrastructure coordination","audioSeconds",1530,"startMs",2855000,"endMs",4385000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827486-27e4ea0970f2c0b62d0231f6f0c384e2&start=2855&end=4385","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827486-27e4ea0970f2c0b62d0231f6f0c384e2/thumbnail_2855000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6460827/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Bureau-of-Planning-and-Sustainability-releases-Inner-East-infrastructure-study-identifies-areas-for-targeted-landuse-work-and-infrastructure-coordination","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460827-16208186786e25eb0fc039b9c7465bca/orig.mp4?Expires=1774923213&Signature=j7lQjakvyCp9XfLsNcEk5-gFt3yJtEbADN2M2SmWLcC6xknyVkhx2HOZ5Mh~VUm2sNhR5Nik1xBGHnSYq5EurMTciQLPwvrR~nHA0rdGaWIkZDywCvTQokYKyRGsaDXE2KgugYxNPlpDzKA-uOhzKIp43S6QnYqmIyDnQ8UkdoTY3Q3hFS53ZEl5X9ZmMyDsxXe5Bz--BPJHNRv5wLGaYsycZ-uGETMfKz0PcXqs-jaeIsj10EEn5xBRs8o7kZvd-Z5kgR1-IuADUMk~gSn6t7sTyhCHpqjsGSRNLbVZ05POLe7Uw-aJs9kid6jXRb-B8o3h3SSW5~1EobOOBxOr1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Portland, OR","date","2025-09-25T18:34:28.557Z","article","The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) presented the Inner Southeast (Inner East Side) Infrastructure Study to the Climate Resilience and Land Use Committee on Thursday, describing a technical analysis intended to inform future land‑use planning and potential rezoning to support more housing.

BPS staff said the study tested two conceptual growth scenarios across four tiers of potential zoning changes, then asked bureaus including PBOT, the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and the Water Bureau to assess infrastructure capacity and risks under those scenarios. The analysis showed the study area is \"generally well served by infrastructure,\" but that accommodating higher densities in some southern subareas would require more extensive capital planning and coordination, especially to address an aging trunk sewer (the Taggart D trunk line) and transportation congestion on major east‑west corridors such as Powell.

Ryan Singer, principal planner for long range planning and urban design at BPS, told the committee the higher‑growth conceptual scenario creates a theoretical capacity of roughly 144,000 units across the study area and a lower‑growth scenario about 90,000 units; BPS uses models to estimate a realistic utilization rate rather than assuming maximum build‑out. Using Metro's and state growth allocations, BPS estimated that expected growth would use a portion of that capacity — a utilization rate BPS tested at about 28% in some analyses — yielding an allocation in the tens of thousands of new units under plausible scenarios.

Patricia (as introduced in committee) described the study as a technical background report to inform a future legislative planning process. She said the work was funded by a DLCD grant and conducted in collaboration with PBOT, BES and the Water Bureau. Patricia emphasized the study is not a zoning proposal: \"These scenarios are for analysis purposes only. These are not zoning proposals,\" she told the committee, adding the analysis is intended to align land‑use planning with infrastructure capital and funding plans so the city can prioritize investments alongside potential increases in development capacity.

Infrastructure bureaus described specific constraints. BES staff said the Taggart D trunk line is an older brick trunk with capacity and failure‑risk concerns and that smaller diameter pipes could develop localized capacity deficiencies under higher growth scenarios; those deficiencies can cause localized flooding in streets, yards or basements. BES planning division manager Elizabeth Rees Katigan said the trunk issues and some condition risks are already on BES’s radar but are not currently in the five‑year CIP; addressing them will require prioritization, planning and funding. PBOT’s modeling showed increased congestion on major east‑west corridors under higher density scenarios; some congestion could be mitigated with signal timing and smaller operational measures, but larger increases would likely need more costly transportation investments or roadway reconfiguration.

BPS staff recommended sequencing and phasing: areas such as Sullivan’s Gulch, Sandy, Mount Tabor, Kearns, Buckman and Brooklyn are candidates for earlier land‑use study because their infrastructure needs are relatively more manageable; Richmond and South Tabor would require larger capital work to address the trunk line and corridor constraints. Staff outlined possible PBOT measures (in‑motion plans, parking management, shared parking strategies, public‑realm improvements and coordination with TriMet) and suggested funding sources such as system development charges, external grants or other capital funding mechanisms could be explored.

Members of the public and housing advocates supported the study and urged upzoning and pro‑housing policy. Heidi Hart of Portland Neighbors Welcome said the organization has engaged neighborhood associations and supports neighborhood‑scale apartments and corner stores in the Inner East Side. Sarah Radcliffe of Habitat for Humanity described the need for affordable family‑sized homes and said nonprofit developers cannot meet demand alone. Michael Anderson of the Sightline Institute highlighted the climate and fiscal benefits of allowing more housing in transit‑served areas: \"When people live, closer to each other, when they choose to do that, they cut their energy use in half without even noticing it,\" Anderson said, and added that redevelopment can broaden the tax base and help pay for infrastructure. Indi Namkhun of Verde argued expanding housing in high‑opportunity Inner neighborhoods can reduce displacement pressure in economically vulnerable areas.

Council members asked for further detail on engagement and phasing. Councilor Knoell asked why northern portions of the study area showed lower modeled growth and whether that reflected market conditions; staff said the model reflects current market values and that future planning would refine boundaries and look at finer‑grained opportunities, including edges of historic districts. Councilor Ryan and others stressed the need to factor recent changes in market demand and transit service into future analyses and to include development and construction community engagement in the next phase.

BPS said the study is the technical first step: the next phases will include developing a project scope, an engagement plan and legislative proposals if warranted. Staff emphasized coordination with PBOT, BES and the Water Bureau will be required to align capital plans and funding before any zoning changes are finalized. The committee asked staff to return with scopes, refined cost estimates, and detailed outreach plans as BPS develops a timeline for the planning process.

BPS staff described the study as an early, technical analysis to inform policy and capital planning rather than a decision to rezone. The bureau said it will use the report to design a public engagement process and phased work program that balances housing goals with infrastructure capacity and funding realities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portland City Council Climate, Resilience and Land Use Committee 09/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability presented a technical Inner East Side infrastructure study to the Climate Resilience and Land Use Committee, showing that some inner neighborhoods could accommodate increased housing with targeted investments while other subareas will require larger capital work, particularly for an aging trunk sewer and major corridors.","taxTitle","Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon","taxId",2765,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6460832,"Committee adopts amendments to Portland Urban Forest Plan, directs city to study assuming street‑tree responsibility",2076,763000,2839000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827486-27e4ea0970f2c0b62d0231f6f0c384e2&start=763&end=2839","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827486-27e4ea0970f2c0b62d0231f6f0c384e2/thumbnail_763000.jpg","/articles/6460832/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Committee-adopts-amendments-to-Portland-Urban-Forest-Plan-directs-city-to-study-assuming-streettree-responsibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460832-9bcf036527a97ba4d9a089e1fdf96318/orig.mp4?Expires=1774923213&Signature=JGu6znggq6YdLCTggbz2NIr8kizid0W-ePV1TD3aSWMiq~xVxAkfUtIHzE5SeK1L6wwF2y5AhUQ6kDJ5L2E6qD1i4sn2yaNafuoYK1X6~GpegB2YGhKLxnNpx0UEXE-p6GbEApwQ1qVGN1lgZeNPj06hC7~i-6XFUr7MVyZmYquNDMWsDKY730YP~q5PBlZiruvwg9y3uwEeF884icf4Mzi0Spj3x6-EOuqiy5r-xde7DW-grmcUyswqTCychnR8ltU-wBkleesbjXnBRO2mOPJa48kWifHAi1AaeqxR0OwSO56hjzq9JeTLj7BaIWe2Nt3JpHUY9wmhZkoXa1sBQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilor Novick's Climate Resilience and Land Use Committee adopted three amendments to the Portland Urban Forest Plan on Thursday, approving language that directs bureaus to develop plans and financing strategies for a comprehensive citywide street‑tree maintenance program and for how the city could assume legal and financial responsibility for street‑tree–related sidewalk repairs. The committee approved the package and voted to forward the amended resolution to full council, 4–1.

The amendments require that the city fund and implement a comprehensive citywide street‑tree maintenance program, direct staff to identify financing strategies (including new funding sources and cost‑saving measures) to reduce costs to property owners for sidewalks damaged by trees, and narrow a financial assistance provision to qualifying low‑income property owners. The motion to move the resolution (document number 20 25 3 51 as listed in committee) to full council passed with four ayes and one nay; Councilor Novick cast the only no vote.

The changes were proposed by Councilor Kanal and discussed by councilors and bureau staff as the committee considered tradeoffs between equity, long‑term costs, and the source of funds. Councilor Novick said he was concerned the amendment \"commit[s] the city to assuming legal and financial responsibility for street trees\" and that the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund might be asked to assume ongoing costs he thought could conflict with other priorities. He said he was \"tentatively inclined to vote no\" before the discussion concluded.

City Forester Jen Cairo told the committee the bureau's current estimate for a citywide maintenance program is about \"$15 to $20,000,000 per year,\" based on an older estimate and ongoing pilot work. Cairo said the pilot is funded with Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund dollars. Alex Farrokhana, chief engineer at PBOT, said PBOT has been part of the conversations and raised the need to clarify how sidewalk maintenance would be handled if the city assumes responsibility for tree‑related sidewalk repairs. He noted both funding for the planning work and future costs for construction and maintenance must be addressed.

Committee members pressed for clearer cost estimates and phasing. PBOT staff cited Denver’s prior estimate as an example of the scale of potential sidewalk repair costs—about $40,000,000 annually in that city—while cautioning that local analysis is needed to determine Portland’s actual costs. Councilor Kanal and other supporters described the amendments as establishing a planning and analysis timeline rather than an immediate fiscal commitment; Kanal said the intention is to \"establish a plan for how the city could assume legal and financial responsibility,\" adding that the plan would include an estimate of potential costs and take into account projects already underway.

The committee also clarified the amendments’ deadlines: the street‑tree maintenance plan direction includes a target to establish a plan by November 2027; the sidewalk financing and planning direction calls for developing a plan by 2028 that \"takes into account current projects underway for the city and includes an estimate of potential costs.\" Councilor Ryan and others asked that the planning work be coordinated with Parks, PBOT and Environmental Services so bureaus can estimate operational and capital impacts and identify funding options.

Roll calls recorded the committee votes. Amendment 1 passed with four ayes and one nay (Murillo — aye; Abalos — aye; Knoell — aye; Ryan — aye; Novick — nay). Amendment 2 and Amendment 3 each passed (amendment 2 recorded as a 5–0 vote in committee; amendment 3 adopted unanimously in the roll call presented). The committee then voted 4–1 to forward the amended resolution (document number as listed in committee) to full council with a recommendation to adopt.

The committee’s discussion emphasized that the amendments create a direction for planning and analysis rather than an immediate citywide takeover of costs. Staff said the current pilot and the PSF allocations (described in committee as three funding streams over five years totaling: $40,000,000 for equitable tree canopy plantings; $7,000,000 for a private property tree care program focused on low‑income property owners; and an additional $100,000,000 for street tree maintenance over five years) will provide near‑term funding and data to inform future decisions. Committee members asked staff to return to the council with clearer cost estimates, phasing options and identified funding sources before any commitment of long‑term operational funds.

The committee noted the amendments aim to reduce burdens on property owners, improve tree canopy health and support habitat connectivity citywide, while leaving open review of funding sources and the PSF advisory process. The amended resolution will be considered by full council at a later date.

The committee spent substantial time evaluating fiscal implications and inter‑bureau coordination; council members said they expect further briefings and cost estimates before final council action.

Votes at a glance: Amendment 1 (establish plan to assume responsibility for street trees) — passed 4–1. Amendment 2 (identify financing strategies; develop plan by 2028 including cost estimate) — passed (recorded 5–0 in committee). Amendment 3 (limit financial assistance to qualifying low‑income property owners) — passed (recorded as adopted). Final motion to forward amended resolution to full council — passed 4–1.

Next steps: The amended resolution will be transmitted to full council for consideration. Staff from Portland Parks & Recreation, PBOT and the Bureau of Environmental Services signaled they will continue planning and refine cost and funding estimates to inform council decisions.","The Climate Resilience and Land Use Committee voted to adopt three amendments to the Portland Urban Forest Plan, directing staff to develop plans and financing strategies for citywide street tree maintenance and sidewalk repairs and narrowing financial assistance to qualifying low‑income property owners. Vote counts: Amendment 1 carried 4–1; Amend ","actionData","errors"]

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Bureau of Planning and Sustainability releases Inner East infrastructure study; identifies areas for targeted land‑use work and infrastructure coordination

Committee adopts amendments to Portland Urban Forest Plan, directs city to study assuming street‑tree responsibility