Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Northwest topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council backs staff approach on northwest small‑area plan, land‑use code update
Summary
Planning staff briefed the council on a northwest‑area small‑area plan RFP and an ongoing land‑use code update; councilors favored a comprehensive engagement option combining land use, urban design, transportation and open space, and asked staff to proceed with an RFP and equity‑minded procurement.
Planning Director Paul Mogush briefed the council on March 11 on two related planning efforts: a comprehensive land‑use code update and a separate small‑area planning process for the northwest corner of the city.
Mogush said the code update will focus first on the standards section — items such as architectural standards, setbacks and performance standards — and that staff will generate a list of potential future tasks for the council to prioritize. On the northwest small‑area plan, staff proposed an RFP for consultants to deliver a land‑use and urban design plan with transportation and open‑space elements. "Most people on the council and planning commission don’t spend days in the zoning because it’s a complex and long ordinance," Mogush said, noting the Standards Section will likely generate the most discussion.
Council response and next steps: Council Members favored Engagement Option 3 — a combined focus on land use, urban design, transportation (including bike/ped) and open space — and asked staff to move forward with drafting the RFP. Mayor Hollies Winston and Council Member Nicole Klonowski both emphasized that the council should remain involved and that procurement should intentionally include diverse and women‑owned subcontracting opportunities. Council Member Xp Lee asked whether the nine‑month timeline was realistic; Mogush said there was no legal deadline but the schedule was intended to accelerate development readiness to expand the city’s tax base.
Why it matters: the northwest plan and code update together shape development standards and the city’s approach to future infill and transit‑oriented projects. The council approved staff continuing to develop the RFP and returning for formal consultant selection and contract approval.
What happens next: staff will translate the council’s feedback into a detailed RFP; the consultant selection and contract will be brought to the council for approval.
