Board approves $3.9M eviction-prevention funding, adopts Portland zoning changes; annexes parcel and backs Troutdale path planning

At its regular meeting, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved a series of funding and land-use actions, including a $3.9 million budget modification for eviction prevention, adoption of several City of Portland zoning-code amendments, annexation of a single parcel into the Dunthorpe Riverdale Sanitary Service District, and a notice of intent to pursue state grant funding to plan a multiuse path on Troutdale Road.

The board approved a budget modification (DCHS 04/25) to appropriate approximately $3,900,000 in Oregon eviction diversion and prevention program state funding. Rachel Pearl, deputy director of the Department of County Human Services, told the board the one-time funds would be used this biennium to support eviction prevention work and help about 700 households currently experiencing housing instability or at risk of losing housing within a month. Department staff said the funding was part of a short legislative session allocation and will be used to draw down other federal and one-time sources first; service levels will decline when the one-time funds end.

The board adopted an emergency ordinance to incorporate selected City of Portland zoning-code changes into the county code under an existing intergovernmental agreement. Megan Gibb, the county’s land-use planning director, and Kevin Cook, a senior planner with the Department of Community Services, summarized four city code projects: adjustments to permit middle-housing flexibility to comply with Senate Bill 1537; updates to Rose Quarter signage rules; moving the odor code out of the zoning code to a different regulatory location; and permanently adopting the city’s large-tree protection provisions. County staff said only a small portion of the unincorporated urban pockets would be affected by the city changes.

Acting as the Dunthorpe Riverdale Sanitary Service District board, commissioners approved a resolution to annex a 0.96-acre parcel at 394 Southwest Edgecliff Road so the property owner may connect to the district’s sanitary sewer. Chet Hagen, program manager and district administrator, said the petition complies with Oregon statute and Metro code and that the district has capacity to serve the property.

Finally, the board approved a notice of intent to apply for the Oregon Community Paths Program to fund planning, community engagement and preliminary engineering for a 1.6-mile multiuse path along Troutdale Road from Cherry Park Road to Stark Street. Allison Boyd, transportation planning manager, said the county requested $694,000 and would provide roughly $80,000 in local match; the planning effort would produce a concept design and a detailed cost estimate to pursue construction grants.

All four items were approved by roll call.