Portland council approves first reading of major Unified Development Ordinance update

Portland City Council on April 15 approved the first reading of ordinance 23-06, a comprehensive revision to the city's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) intended to align zoning and subdivision rules with the 2023 comprehensive plan and recent state law changes.

The presentation by city staff and consultants outlined a long list of proposed changes. Erica Craycraft of Freese and Nichols said the amendments would expand site plan requirements to include multifamily and mixed-use projects; remove the minimum size requirement for residential planned unit developments; allow staff to approve plats that meet code (leaving waivers and appeals to the Planning and Zoning Commission); and standardize a 25% maintenance bond on public improvements.

“The proposed UDO updates are intended to align the code with the comprehensive plan and recent state law while streamlining submittal and review procedures,” Craycraft said. She described a new…