In an attempt to streamline and simplify the urban development process in Portland, the City has initiated the Code Alignment Project. This endeavor seeks to reconcile unclear and conflicting city codes that often trip up developers with requirements that appear mid-project, according to a statement from the City of Portland. The hope is to alleviate permit delays and the need for costly redesigns that result from these regulatory snafus, making the process more straightforward and predictable.
On November 18, teams from various development bureaus in Portland convened to pore over both customer and staff submissions on how to improve the code. The evaluation process is poised to redefine threshold triggers—requirements for additional improvements not included in the original development proposal. Recounted by city officials, ideas range from street tree planting to seismic enhancements, currently triggered in ways ranging from fixed values to those fluctuating with the construction cost index.
Perhaps the most pressing issue addressed by the project is the inconsistencies with threshold triggers. For instance, requirements for street trees have rigid thresholds, while those for street improvements are tied to a project's overall value. In contrast, seismic upgrade triggers hinge on changes in the RSMeans Construction Cost Index, giving a threshold that varies based on market conditions. Concerned customers lament that these unpredictable requirements add both cost and delay to their projects. The city's initiative aims to recalibrate these triggers to reflect real values and demands better.
The City staff is focusing on several specific areas for improvement, including "non-conforming upgrades, street improvements, seismic improvements, street tree planting," and other aspects of the code that impact when a development might lose its grandfathered-in, or non-conforming, status, as per the City of Portland announcement. The goal is to foster a more consistent approach, one that considers both the cost to developers and the transparency and reasonableness of the thresholds set. Further evaluations will be directed at parking requirements, dimensional standards, and system development charge definitions to bring uniformity across the board.
As the project moves forward, Portland continues to refine its approach to urban development, signaling a more navigable path for developers and a less bureaucratic headache. It suggests a constructive step towards balancing the growth of the city and the technicalities that often hinder progress, paying heed to the voices of those it directly impacts.
