Commission asks staff to study allowing small offices along 257th in HDR zone

Planning staff told the commission that current Troutdale code does not permit professional offices in the high‑density residential (HDR) zone, meaning the existing medical and office tenants are legally nonconforming. As staff explained, "So, currently in our current development code, we do not allow professional offices within the highdensity residential zone." The staff presentation noted that if a building sits vacant for more than a year, the nonconforming use would no longer be allowed and a new tenant could not reestablish that use without a code change.

Commissioners debated options for treating the corridor: allowing conditional uses along arterials (the city’s pre‑2017 zoning allowed some offices), permitting offices outright along 257th, or crafting buffering between offices and homes. Commissioner Glance said he prefers offices to "line the roads" as a buffer, adding that "nobody wants to have a house right up against a busy freeway" and suggesting lower‑rise office buildings near the roadway. Commissioners directed staff to draft a development‑code amendment (conditional or permitted options) and associated sign standards and return with a hearing packet for commission review.