Rob Bridal, chair of the Planning Commission, reported to the IPS committee on Oct. 8 that the commission led a multi-year effort that produced code changes intended to allow more housing near transit, incentivize adaptive reuse of historic buildings, relax some parking requirements to enable accessory dwelling units, and require on-site tree planting with new development.

“The effort took five years to fully execute,” Bridal said, describing the commission’s work on a Phase 2 code package that included changes to Title 13 of the municipal code and a transit sub-element designed to align walkable neighborhoods with the regional transit network.

Bridal said most of the commission’s recommendations were adopted by council, but the commission was disappointed by last-minute council amendments on tree protections. “The amendments that were passed by council removed all of the protections that we had recommended for trees, reduced the requirements for tree plantings and made it easier for trees to be planted off-site,” Bridal said. He added commissioners felt the council’s changes were made with little public input and without sufficient technical assessment of impacts.

Commissioners told IPS staffing constraints hindered their ability to advance additional priorities such as a neighborhood planning program that had been defunded and later staffed positions that moved on. Bridal urged better coordination and earlier direction from council when major policy changes are desired so the commission can vet issues through the public process and technical analysis rather than having major changes introduced late in the process.

The commission outlined upcoming work including critical areas preservation, the Pacific Avenue corridor subarea and EIS, a 2026 annual amendment package, parking code amendments, a capital facilities program review and a renewed effort to move tree preservation items higher on the work plan. Commissioners said they want more coordinated outreach to reduce public confusion about projects and improve notice to neighbors.

No vote or directive was taken by IPS on Oct. 8. The Planning Commission will return to IPS to discuss its 2026 work program at a later meeting.