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Tualatin council unanimously adopts walkable-design ordinance to meet state C-FACT rules
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 1454-25 (PTA 25-0002) to amend the comprehensive plan and development code to implement Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities walkable-design standards, including reduced block lengths, updated alley and driveway rules, and new requirements for drive-throughs.
The Tualatin City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 1454-25 on Nov. 24, 2025, approving amendments to the comprehensive plan and the Tualatin Development Code (PTA 25-0002) to implement the state's Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (C-FACT) walkable design standards. The ordinance responds to Oregon administrative rule requirements (OAR 660-012-00330) related to reducing greenhouse-gas-generating vehicle trips through pedestrian-oriented design.
City senior planner Erin Engman summarized the key changes staff proposed: reducing the maximum block-link standard from 530 feet to 400 feet (approximately two Portland blocks) with a perimeter cap of 1,600 feet; adding design standards for public alleys and private streets that allow driveway access from alleys to preserve street frontage; clarifying walkway standards for single-family and middle housing and limiting driveway widths in specified contexts; and requiring walk-up service windows or safe pedestrian access to lobbies for new drive-through uses. Staff also said parking for new commercial and mixed-use development should be located to the side or rear of buildings, and front-yard setback rules were adjusted to encourage street-fronting building entrances.
Erin told the council the project included outreach with the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), a consultant (MIG), three council work sessions and a public engagement period. Public comments recorded in the planning packet largely came from 'Safe Tualatin Road,' which raised concerns about proposed changes to driveway-approach permit procedures; staff said the amendments were narrow in scope and that driveway approaches in the public right-of-way remain limited.
No members of the public testified at the hearing. After council questions about parking near corners, vision-clearance requirements and the effect on pending applications, Councilors moved for first and second readings by title and then for final adoption. Roll-call votes were recorded as Councilor Sacco: Aye; Councilor Hillier: Aye; Councilor Reyes: Yes; Councilor Gonzales: Yes; Councilor Brooks: Aye; Council President Pratt: Aye. The ordinance passed unanimously.
The ordinance updates a set of local chapters identified in the staff packet and advances the city's effort to comply with state transportation planning rules tied to C-FACT. Planning staff will proceed with the code updates and administrative steps necessary to implement the new standards.
