Criteria

Met?

Notes

1

The Central City Master Plan is consistent with the applicable subdistrict goals and policies of the Central City 2035 Plan.

Goal 1

Regional Center

Goal 1.A

Portland’s Central City is the preeminent regional center for commerce and employment, arts and culture, entertainment, tourism, education and government.

Goal 1.B

The Central City is economically competitive, especially relative to West Coast and regional markets, with robust and expanding business and development activity.

Goal 1.C

Portland’s Central City is a national leader for innovation in business, higher education and urban development with physical and social qualities that foster and attract diverse creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and civic engagement.

Goal 1.D

The experience of the Central City’s urban character and livability make it the leading location in the region for business and commercial activity and an attractive location for new development.

Civic and Cultural Center

Policy 1.1

Regional image. Strengthen the roles of the Central City and Willamette River in enhancing a positive image for the city, region and state.

Policy 1.2

Center of higher education. Support the ability of major universities and other higher education institutions to strengthen the Central City as a center of learning, business and innovation.

Policy 1.3

Center of urban innovation. Strengthen the role and stature of the Central City as a laboratory and showcase for innovative urban development and as a regional leader in the development of businesses related to clean technology, green practices and design, and resource conservation.

Policy 1.4

Tourism, retail and entertainment. Expand upon activities in the Central City that support tourism and complement economic success, vibrancy, and livability, with a special focus on retail, cultural events and institutions, public spaces, arts and entertainment, urban design, and transportation.

See district policies section for related policies in: DT, WE, GH, PL, OT, LD, CE, SW, UD

Policy 1.5

Destination Willamette River. Enhance the riverfront as a destination by encouraging shops; restaurants; art; cultural, historic, ecological and maritime attractions; and recreation. Support opportunities and amenities for river tours, river transit and regional cruises to and from the riverfront.

Economic Vitality

Policy 1.6

Traded sector growth. Enhance business development efforts and assistance for targeted industry clusters and high growth sector companies.

Policy 1.7

Entrepreneurship and business innovation. Strengthen the Central City as a location for job creation by addressing development issues that affect businesses and supporting economic development strategies and programs that facilitate economic growth in the Central City.

Policy 1.8

Innovation Quadrant. Capitalize upon the physical connections created by the Tilikum Crossing to connect Central Eastside industries with westside institutional assets such as Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) and Portland State University (PSU). Facilitate the growth of traditional and emerging industries in service to the Innovation Quadrant and encourage venues such as the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) to showcase the diversity of research, economic development, and educational activities occurring within the quadrant.

Encourage a range of businesses from start-up firms to corporate headquarters, with particular focus on knowledge-based industries such as technology and research and development, to locate in the area (see Regional Center map on page 34).

Policy 1.9

Equity and the economy. Support greater access to and expansion of economic opportunities in the Central City for all groups facing longstanding disparities, including education, housing and employment so that they can achieve an equitable allocation of the benefits of development and economic prosperity. Accomplish this through land use tools (e.g., FAR bonuses and transfers) and/or other programs

Policy 1.10

Next generation industrial/employment sanctuaries. Foster the long-term success of Central City industrial districts and the continuation of these areas as prime locations for investment and new industrial businesses, while supporting their evolution into places with a broader mix of businesses, living-wage jobs, and higher employment densities.

See district policies section for related policies in: LA, CE

Policy 1.11

Commercial affordability. Support efforts to make the Central City a competitive location for development and business location and operation.

Policy 1.12

Day laborer organization and education. Continue efforts and initiatives within the Central City that organize and centralize day laborer services that can provide for worker rights education, outreach, and protect the rights of laborers.

Policy 1.13

Surface parking. Support strategies and tools to encourage the redevelopment of surface parking lots. Discourage the development of new surface parking and ensure buildings will not be demolished to provide surface parking.

See district policies section for related policies in: WE, GH, OT

Policy 1.14

Flexible building design. Encourage flexible building design and construction, including structured parking, that allows buildings to be repurposed and accommodate a variety of uses in the future.

District Policies: Regional Center

Policy 1.PL-1

Mixed use office center. Support the continued development of a vibrant, mixed-use area with new commercial, retail, office, and creative office opportunities.

Policy 1.PL-2

Large site employment opportunity. Encourage redevelopment of large sites to include regional employment opportunities such as a major office campus.

Policy 1.PL-3

Tourism, retail and entertainment. Enhance the success of this urban mixed use district, drawing new visitors and supporting attractions, including unique retail, dining, riverfront and entertainment opportunities.

Goal 2

Housing and Neighborhoods

Goal 2.A

The Central City is a successful dense mixed-use center composed of livable neighborhoods with housing, services and amenities that support the needs of people of all ages, incomes and abilities.

Goal 2.B

The Central City’s affordable housing supply maintains and supports the area’s growing racial, ethnic and economic diversity.

Goal 2.C

Vulnerable populations concentrated within the Central City are supported with access to needed human and health services.

Neighborhood Livability

Policy 2.1

Complete neighborhoods. Ensure Central City neighborhoods have access to essential public services, including parks, open space and recreation opportunities, senior centers community centers and spaces, family serving amenities such as public schools, urban canopy, grocery stores and other neighborhood-serving retail and commercial services that support sustainable and diverse community structure.

See district policies section for related policies in: DT, WE, GH, PL, OT, LD, CE, SW, UD

Policy 2.2

Promote healthy active living. Design Central City neighborhoods to support physically and socially active healthy lifestyles for all people through the inclusion of plazas, parks, open spaces, and recreation opportunities, a safe and inviting public realm, access to healthy food and active transportation and the density of development needed to support these economically.

Policy 2.3

Social services. Support development of social services facilities that are responsive to the needs of vulnerable members of the Portland community.

See district policies section for related policies in: WE, PL, OT

Policy 2.4

Safe and secure Central City. Maintain adequate public safety and security services and reduce sources of conflict and nuisance crime through design, regulation and management.

Policy 2.5

Mixed-use compatibility. Promote design solutions and construction techniques to ensure that new development is compatible with existing uses, taking into account noise and other pre-existing conditions.

Policy 2.6

Conflict reduction strategies. Expand ongoing strategies and programs that reduce potential conflicts between special needs populations and other Central City residents, employees, visitors and businesses.

Policy 2.7

Reconnecting neighborhoods across infrastructure. Develop and implement strategies to lessen the impact of freeways and other transportation systems on neighborhood continuity including capping, burying or other innovative approaches.

Policy 2.8

Family-compatible housing. Encourage the development of housing projects and units that are compatible with the needs of families with children.

Policy 2.9

Family supportive services. Provide and create access to public schools, parks, daycare facilities, playgrounds, community centers, libraries, and other essential services needed to sustain families in the Central City.

Housing affordability

Policy 2.10

Minimize displacement. Maintain the economic and cultural diversity of established communities in and around the Central City. Utilize investments, incentives and other policy tools to minimize or mitigate involuntary displacement resulting from new development in the Central City and close-in neighborhoods.

Policy 2.11

Housing diversity. Create attractive, dense, high-quality affordable housing throughout the Central City that accommodates a broad range of needs, preferences, and financial capability in terms of different types, tenures, sizes, costs and locations. Support new housing opportunities for students, families and older adults.

See district policies section for related policies in: DT, WE, GH, PL, OT, LD, SW, UD

Policy 2.12

Housing affordability. Encourage the preservation and production of affordable housing to take advantage of the Central City’s unique concentration of active transportation access, jobs, open spaces, and supportive services and amenities.

Policy 2.13

Housing affordability targets.

a.  Low income. Continue to develop new affordable housing so that approximately 30 percent of the Central City’s total housing is affordable to households in the 0-80 percent MFI bracket.

b.  No Net Loss. In accordance with the City’s 2001 No Net Loss policy, retain at least the number, type and affordability levels of Central City housing units for households in the 0-60 percent MFI bracket, through preservation or replacement, as existed in 2001.

Policy 2.14

Public investment in affordable housing. For public affordable housing resources, prioritize funding for housing programs and investment to meet the unmet needs of extremely low and very low-income households (0-50 percent MFI).

Policy 2.15

Transitional housing and services. Provide housing and services that directly assist at-risk populations and allow people to transition to more stable living conditions.

District Policies: Housing and Neighborhoods

Policy 2.PL-1

Complete neighborhoods. Enhance bicycle and pedestrian connections between existing parks, as well as future parks. Encourage the development of new public schools to serve the district.

Policy 2.PL-2

Social services. Encourage development of social services to support vulnerable members of the community and further a more equitable distribution of these services throughout the Central City.

Policy 2.PL-3

Housing diversity. Encourage new development, including housing, along Naito Parkway in order to bring more people and activities to the riverfront. Throughout the district, encourage multifamily housing supportive of families and students.

Goal 3

Transportation

Goal 3.A

The Central City has a safe, affordable, efficient and accessible transportation system that prioritizes walking, bicycling and transit, supports growth and reinforces the role of the Central City as the region’s high density center.

Regional hub

Policy 3.1

Regional transportation hub. Strengthen the Central City as the highly accessible and multimodal hub for moving people and goods, reinforcing its regional center roles, enabling successful high density employment and housing development, and thereby affirming its role in Metro’s Region 2040 Framework Plan.

Policy 3.2

Portals. Manage entry points into the Central City to provide balanced multimodal access to efficiently accommodate the increase in person trips and goods delivery as a result of growth and development. Discourage through trips from using Central City streets.

Street network

Policy 3.3

Optimized street network. Improve street design and function to increase efficiency and safety for all transportation modes and the ability of the existing network to meet the access needs of businesses, shoppers, residents and visitors. Establish a system and standards that emphasize walking, bicycling, transit use and freight access while continuing to provide automobile access.

See District Policies section for related policies in: DT, WE, GH, PL, OT, LA, LD, CE, SW, UD

Policy 3.4

Transportation system management. Manage access and circulation to reduce traffic speeds and provide for safe street crossings, while balancing the need for vehicle and freight access to and from the district. Manage the roadway system within the Central City in a way that allows greater levels of traffic congestion. In congested areas, prioritize modes other than automobiles to accommodate travel demand.

Policy 3.5

Regional multimodal access. Work with the Oregon Department of Transportation on improvements to 1-405, 1-5 and US Highway 26 to enhance regional access to the Central City. Minimize through traffic on Central City streets, improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity across freeways and create opportunities for capping freeways to lessen the barrier effect of the freeway and open new areas for potential development and/or parks, open space, and recreational opportunities.

Policy 3.6

Mode split. Strive to achieve the Central City targets set in the most current Transportation System Plan.

Policy 3.7

Street diversity. Differentiate the character of key streets to offer a diversity of urban experiences and connections, reflect the character of unique districts and expand open space and recreation functions in the right-of-way where possible.

Policy 3.8

Streetscape. Improve the street environment and pedestrian experience by providing urban greenery and community uses of the right-of-way and by integrating high-density uses.

Active transportation, Transit and Demand Management

Policy 3.9

Walking. Encourage walking as the principal way to get around the Central City, with improved on-street and off-street infrastructure that enhances safety and closes access gaps to areas within, and adjacent to, the Central City.

Policy 3.10

Bicycling. Prioritize bicycling by implementing world-class on-street and off-street infrastructure that is safe, comfortable and convenient for people of all ages and abilities. Augment capital improvements with robust encouragement, education and enforcement efforts.

Policy 3.11

Transit. Continue to strengthen the regional role of transit in the Central City. Support increased frequency, span-of-service, reliability and safety, as well as expansion of the rail, bus and streetcar systems. Explore river transit opportunities. Facilitate safe, pleasant and efficient access and transfer opportunities for transit riders via a clear, intuitive and convenient transit network that consolidates fragmented routes and provides high standards of transit amenities.

Policy 3.12

Transportation demand management. Foster the development of business and property owner supported programs, incentives and activities that encourage employees, residents, students and visitors to use walking, cycling, transit, carpool and car-share, as well as telecommuting and traveling outside the hours of peak congestion.

Parking and loading

Policy 3.13

Auto parking. Support Central City parking needs, particularly for retail, employment and residential growth, as well as for access to major attractions such as universities and event venues. Continue to limit the growth of the overall auto parking supply, and maximize the joint use of existing and new stalls to manage parking in a more efficient and dynamic manner, lower the costs of construction and meet mode split and climate action goals for the city. Maintain no auto parking minimum requirements in the Central City and set maximum auto parking ratios to encourage other modes and allow new long-term parking only if associated with new development or to serve buildings with little parking.

Policy 3.14

Bicycle parking. Encourage the provision of bicycle parking to serve the expected increase in bicycle trips in the Central City.

Policy 3.15

Public Parking. Continue to manage public parking on the street system and in public garages to support Central City parking needs, prioritizing short trips and turnover to serve retail and visitor needs. Develop a performance-based parking program that manages Central City public parking to meet performance targets via dynamic pricing and other parking management tools and by providing clear and transparent parking information. Balance the need for on street parking with other uses of the curb zone. In managing the supply of on-street parking, the first priority is for short-term parking, followed by carpool and finally long-term parking.

Policy 3.16

Loading. Support the delivery of goods in the Central City. Pursue strategies that bring new ways of delivering goods to the Central City in a way that optimizes loading and freight access and makes efficient use of limited urban space.

District Policies: Transportation

Policy 3.PL-1

Optimized street network. Improve pedestrian and bicycle connections across I-405, West Burnside and to major parks. Encourage new pedestrian and bicycle connections to the Willamette River and through large sites and blocks, including the US Post Office site.

Policy 3.PL-2

Transit service. Enhance transit service to meet the demands of residents, students, employees and visitors as the district continues to grow. Improve access to transit particularly in the north end of the district and along the riverfront.

Goal 4

Willamette River

Goal 4.A

The Willamette River plays a significant role in the environmental health, economy, recreation, urban form and character of the Central City.

Goal 4.B

The Willamette River is healthy and supports fish, wildlife and people.

Goal 4.C

The Willamette River and adjacent public areas are accessible and connected.

Multifunctional river

Policy 4.1

Portland’s commons. Promote improvements and activities on the riverfront and in the Willamette River to strengthen the physical, visual, and cultural connections between the river and the rest of the Central City. Increase public awareness of the river’s historical, economic and ecological importance.

Policy 4.2

Willamette River recreation. Provide for safe, enjoyable and valuable active and passive recreational experiences for all users on, along and in the river. Enhance the interconnected system of parks, trails, docks, natural areas and destinations adjacent to and within the river.

Policy 4.3

Prosperous and vibrant Willamette River waterfront. Support river-dependent, river-related and other uses that capitalize on the river and riverfront locations, expand tourism and commercial uses, and reinforce the distinctive character of the different riverfront districts.

Policy 4.4

Willamette River transportation. Improve infrastructure that supports commercial, river transit, individual watercraft, tourist and recreational boating uses. Ensure that new river transportation terminals and docks are connected by streets and trails that provide direct access to transit from points throughout the Central City.

Policy 4.5

Connections to the Willamette River. Increase the community’s enjoyment of and direct experience with the Willamette River. Improve physical and visual connections between the districts and the Willamette River.

Policy 4.6

Watershed health and native species recovery.

a.  Watershed health. Improve the quality, quantity, connectivity and overall function of the ecological system including upland,, riparian and in-water habitat to protect public health and support the conservation and restoration of native fish and wildlife populations.

b.  Threatened, endangered and at risk species. Restore in-water, riparian and floodplain habitat that supports fish and wildlife populations at risk of becoming or are currently threatened or endangered.

c.  Floodplains. Improve the ability of floodplains to store water, reduce risks on the public and provide habitat functions.

d.  Stormwater Management. Reduce stormwater entering into the separated sewer system.

e.  Riverbank enhancement targets. Strive to meet Central city targets related to riverbank enhancement and restoration. See district policies section for related policies in: DT, PL, OT, LD, CE, SW, UD

River-oriented development

Policy 4.7

Periodic flooding. Minimize the risk to new and existing development and infrastructure from flood events, while also maintaining and enhancing ecological functions associated with the river and floodplain.

Policy 4.8

Relationship to the river. Encourage development adjacent to the Willamette River to orient buildings towards the river, at appropriate setback distances. Add entrances, visual and physical connections, art installments and other amenities in order to create a relationship between the built environment and activities along the river.

Policy 4.9

Commercial development. Encourage new clusters of commercial uses adjacent to the Willamette River, at appropriate setback distances, in order to bring more people, events and activities to the riverfront.

Policy 4.10

Bridgehead redevelopment. Support the redevelopment of bridgehead sites to create dynamic places that bring a diversity of residents, workers and visitors to the riverfront and link east- and west-side districts of the Central City.

Policy 4.11

Low impact development. Incorporate low-impact design in new and replacement docks and require appropriate setback distances for new development near the river.

District Policies: Willamette River

Policy 4.PL-1

Pearl urban riverfront. Encourage the development of a distinctly urban riverfront that balances public activities including river transportation, recreation and development with habitat enhancement.

Policy 4.PL-2

Watershed health and native species recovery. Enhance watershed health and conditions for native species by replacing invasive, non-native plants with native plants on the river banks between Centennial Mills and McCormick Pier. Improve in-water and riparian habitat complexity and increase flood capacity at Centennial Mills.

Goal 5

Urban Design

Goal 5.A

The Willamette River is the Central City’s defining feature, framed by a well-designed built environment that celebrates views to the larger surrounding landscape, encourages east-west access and orientation and supports a range of river uses.

Goal 5.B

The Central City is composed of diverse, high-density districts that feature high-quality spaces and a character that facilitates social interaction and expands activities unique to the Central City.

Goal 5.C

The Central City’s public realm is characterized by human-scaled accessible streets, connections, parks, open space, and recreation opportunities that offer a range of different experiences for public interaction.

Context and Form

Policy 5.1

Experimentation and innovation. Support the design of new places and uses, both permanent and temporary that promote innovation, experimentation and exchange in the Central City

Policy 5.2

Central, connected Willamette River. Create a network of open space and tree canopy corridors to make ecological and design connections to the river.

Policy 5.3

Dynamic skyline. Encourage the tallest buildings to locate adjacent to transit hubs and corridors, generally stepping down in height to the Willamette River. Allow taller buildings at bridgeheads and encourage contextually sensitive heights within historic districts. Encourage heights and building forms that preserve sunlight on public open spaces and parks.

Policy 5.4

Scenic Resources. Protect public views of key landmarks and scenic resources (Vista Bridge, Union Station, Mt. Hood, Willamette River bridges) which define the Central City, help with wayfinding, and connect residents, employees and visitors to Portland’s varied and unique landscape.

Policy 5.5

Large site development. Encourage redevelopment of large sites that includes new compatible uses, green buildings and equity considerations, scenic resource preservation, new pedestrian connections through the site, strong street presence, green infrastructure, and new open space amenities.

Policy 5.6

Distinct and vibrant districts. Enhance the existing character and diversity of the Central City and its districts, strengthening existing places and fostering the creation of new urban places and experiences.

Policy 5.7

Neighborhood transitions. Establish transitions between the Central City’s denser, taller and more commercial and industrial land uses and adjacent neighborhoods, while highlighting key gateway locations.

Connected Public Realm

Policy 5.8

Public realm. Enhance the character and function of the public realm through design standards, guidelines, amenities and land uses that activate the pedestrian environment and encourage community gathering.

Policy 5.9

Wayfinding. Develop wayfinding strategies and tools that allow residents, employees, visitors and customers to navigate the Central City and locate key attractions, businesses, institutions, the riverfront and other destinations in a safe, intuitive and enjoyable manner.

Policy 5.10

Street hierarchy and development character. Establish a more intentional street hierarchy with a greater diversity of street characters, distinguishing three main types: retail/commercial, boulevard and flexible.

See district policies section for related policies in: DT, WE, GH, PL, OT, LA, LD, CE, SW, UD

Policy 5.11

Regional corridors and connections. Promote the presence, character and role of physical and visual corridors such as trails, transit lines, streets and scenic corridors, helping to bridge neighborhoods across physical and psychological barriers.

Policy 5.12

“Green Loop” concept. Create a “Green Loop” that connects east and west side neighborhoods to open spaces and the Willamette River, with high quality bicycle accommodations, tree canopy, innovative, park-like pedestrian environments, and wildlife habitat connections. Enhance connections to the “Green Loop” alignment on key corridors throughout the Central City to improve access, create activity nodes and support neighborhood attractions and economic development.

Policy 5.13

MAX-Portland Streetcar interchanges. Create supportive environments for transit connections that occur where MAX light rail lines cross Portland Streetcar lines in the West End, Lloyd and the Central Eastside.

Policy 5.14

Streetcar lines. Require active uses near Portland Streetcar stations and limit auto-oriented development.

Policy 5.15

Limit auto-oriented development. Prohibit drive-throughs with new development.

Parks and Open Space

Policy 5.16

Signature open spaces. Enhance the Central City’s iconic interconnected system of parks, trails, and natural areas by offering a wide range of social, recreational, contemplative, respite and ecological functions to serve an increasingly diverse population of residents, workers and visitors.

Policy 5.17

Open space network. Beyond signature open spaces, acquire new parks and open spaces and expand opportunities in existing parks and open spaces to meet the needs of Central City residents, workers and visitors for both passive and active recreation, especially in areas zoned for high density, mixed use development. Enhance the network by improving connections among parks, open spaces, and the riverfront. Encourage the provision of publicly accessible private plazas and pocket parks with new development.

See district policies section for related policies in: DT, WE, GH, PL, LD, CE, SW, UD; see Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park policies in Willamette River, Downtown district section.

Historic Preservation

Policy 5.18

Rehabilitation and reuse. Encourage the use, preservation, and rehabilitation of historic buildings.

Policy 5.19

Historic resources and districts. Enhance the identity of historically, culturally and architecturally significant buildings and places, while promoting contextually-sensitive infill development on vacant and surface parking lots.

Policy 5.20

Preservation incentives. Provide financial and regulatory incentives that support the economic feasibility of the preservation, rehabilitation and seismic upgrade of historic resources.

District Policies: Urban Design

Policy 5.PL-1

NW 13^th Avenue Historic District and main street. Protect the historic warehouse character and architecturally significant resources within the district. Continue the active character of the street environment north of the historic district by encouraging active uses; adding and maintaining loading docks; and maintaining lower building heights along NW 13^th Avenue from NW Davis Street to the north.

Policy 5.PL-2

Under I-405 repurposing. Support redevelopment of areas under I-405 to create safe, attractive, and engaging spaces.

Policy 5.PL-3

Street hierarchy and development character. Support the retail/commercial character of NW 11^th, 13^th, Lovejoy, and Glisan; as well as the flexible character of NW Davis, Flanders, Johnson, Marshall and Pettygrove.

Policy 5.PL-4

Open space network. Require the development of publicly accessible open space at the Centennial Mills and US Postal Service sites as part of redevelopment to provide linkages to street tree canopy and other open spaces.

Policy 5.PL-5

Historic resources and districts. Encourage the preservation of older and often smaller buildings with historic character.

Goal 6

Health and Environment

Goal 6.A

The Central City is a living laboratory that demonstrates how the design and function of a dense urban center can: a) equitably benefit human health, the natural environment and the local economy; and b) provide resilience to climate change impacts such as urban heat island, and to natural hazards, including flooding and earthquakes.

Resilience

Policy 6.1

Natural hazard resilience. Encourage planning, design and education in the Central City to help prevent or minimize the impacts of natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods and other hazards identified in the citywide Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.

a.  New development. Encourage approaches to reduce future natural hazard risks and impacts when planning for or evaluating the location and design of new development.

b.  Retrofitting. Encourage the retrofitting of buildings and infrastructure to withstand natural hazards. Prioritize the seismic retrofitting of unreinforced masonry buildings while preserving their architectural character. Support Multnomah County’s efforts to seismically retrofit Central City bridges, recognizing the Burnside Bridge as the regionally-designated priority.

c.  Preparedness. Support Central City residents’ and businesses’ efforts to prepare for natural hazards. Ensure the Central City’s most vulnerable populations are included in these efforts.

d.  Code review. Monitor relevant codes to incorporate current knowledge and standards for seismic design and flood protection.

Policy 6.2

Climate change resilience. Support planning, service system upgrades, and infrastructure in the Central City to anticipate, respond to, and reduce the risks and adverse impacts associated with evolving climate change conditions.

a.  Flooding. Adapt to changes in hydrology, including future river levels, changes in flood frequency and duration, and changes in stormwater runoff rates.

b.  Heat island. Encourage site designs, building designs and vegetation that reduce the adverse impacts of urban heat islands on public health and safety, especially those affecting more vulnerable communities.

c.  Fish and wildlife habitat. Improve the quality, diversity, connectivity, safety, and accessibility of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat areas.

Policy 6.3

Multiple functions. Encourage green infrastructure, parks, open space, and recreation opportunities in the Central City that serve multiple functions to provide capacity during flood event, improve stormwater management, reduce heat island effects, create pockets of fish and wildlife refuge, and provide places of respite and recreation for employees, residents and visitors.

Policy 6.4

Green infrastructure. Increase the use of trees, ecoroofs, vertical gardens, sustainable site development, landscaped setbacks and courtyards, living walls and other vegetated facilities to manage stormwater, improve the pedestrian environment, reduce heat island effects, improve air and water quality and create habitat for birds and pollinators.

a.  Separated storm systems. Promote green infrastructure enhancements within the separated stormwater system to improve water quality in the Willamette River and at riverfront recreation areas

b.  Ecoroof. Support progress toward Central City ecoroof coverage targets

Policy 6.5

Flood ready development. Reduce risks of flooding on existing and new buildings, transportation system and infrastructure.

a.  Impervious surface retrofits. Enhance flood capacity within the developed floodplain by retrofitting impervious surfaces with pervious surfaces and landscaping.

b.  Flood capacity. Improve flood capacity by reducing development impacts and requiring mitigation for fill within the 100-year floodplain.

c.  Building design. Encourage innovated building design along the Willamette River and in the 100-year floodplain to allow for ground floor flooding.

Health

Policy 6.6

Human health. Encourage the use of active modes of transportation by creating and enhancing a network of bike and pedestrian facilities that provide access to services and destinations including natural areas. Improve access for all people to locally grown and healthy foods. Encourage the use of building construction methods, materials, products and best practices in lighting design that do not have harmful effects on human health and the environment. Encourage social health by fostering community in a hospitable public realm.

Policy 6.7

Light, Noise and Vibration Pollution. Encourage land use patterns, building design and landscape to limit and mitigate negative impacts of lighting, noise and vibration on public health and safety, disruption of ecosystems, and hazards to wildlife.

Policy 6.8

Upland habitat connections. Create an upland wildlife habitat corridor using trees, native vegetation in landscaping, public open spaces ecoroofs, and bird safe building design and practices that provide a safe, functional connection for avian and pollinator species between the West Hills, Mt. Tabor, Powell Butte, Rocky Butte and the Willamette River.

Policy 6.9

Strategic tree canopy enhancement. Plant trees on tax lots, in parks and public spaces, and along rights-of-way, throughout the Central City to meet urban forestry and other Central City goals and guiding principles including resiliency, human and environmental health, livability, equity, and active transportation.

a.  Tree priorities. Encourage planting and preservation of large, healthy non-nuisance trees, native trees, and climate change-resilient trees.

b.  Tree Diversity. Improve tree species and age diversity throughout the Central City.

c.  Heritage trees. Encourage the protection of designated Heritage and Landmark Trees.

d.  Tree Canopy. Support progress toward meeting Central City tree canopy targets.

See district policies section for related policies in: CE

Policy 6.10

Effective tree planting. Optimize tree planting opportunities and conditions throughout the Central City.

a.  Tree size. Require that trees planted along rights-of-way are as large as is appropriate for the planting space.

b.  Soil volume. Encourage the provision of increased subsurface soil volumes to improve tree health and increase tree canopy coverage, especially in conjunction with development and infrastructure improvement project design and construction.

c.  Tree accommodation. Encourage wider sidewalk corridor furnishing zones and other right-of-way design elements (e.g., medians, bulb-outs) to facilitate planting and accommodation of larger canopy tree species.

d.  Innovative design. Encourage innovative design strategies that accommodate existing healthy non-nuisance trees on site and incorporate new trees on sites and buildings. Trees on buildings may be placed on balconies and podium roof decks, planted in conjunction with an ecoroof, or in other locations.

Building, infrastructure and site development

Policy 6.11

Buildings and energy. Increase the energy efficiency of buildings, the use of onsite renewable energy systems, and the development of low-carbon district energy systems. Conserve resources by encouraging the reuse of existing building stock, salvaging architectural elements when demolition is necessary and recycling materials from construction and demolition.

Policy 6.12

City investment in street trees. Invest in street trees as a valuable public infrastructure asset.

a.  Multiple benefits. Plant street trees to provide multiple benefits, including stormwater management, quality pedestrian environment, reduction in urban heat island, and wildlife habitat.

b.  Maintenance. Support innovative approaches, including public/private partnerships, to ensure adequate long-term maintenance of street trees to address tree-related concerns such as sidewalk repair.

Policy 6.13

a.  Bird and wildlife-safe development. Encourage bird-friendly building and lighting design and management practices, to reduce hazards to resident and migrating birds, fish and other wildlife species.

Policy 6.14

Low-carbon development. Reduce carbon emissions from existing and new buildings, transportation systems and infrastructure.

a.  Healthy retrofits. Support retrofits to existing buildings to reduce energy use and improve indoor air quality.

b.  Green building. Encourage high-performance new buildings that meet the energy targets of the Architecture 2030 Challenge and 2015 Climate Action Plan, including net-zero energy use in all new buildings by 2030.

c.  High performance areas. Encourage “high performance areas” that conserve energy and water; use renewable energy sources; reduce waste and recycle; manage stormwater; improve occupant health; and enhance the character of the neighborhood, particularly in areas with large amounts of planned new development or redevelopment.

d.  Solar energy. Encourage the installation of on-site solar photovoltaic systems.

e.  Clean district energy. Enable the expansion and establishment of district energy systems that reduce carbon emissions.

f.  Low-carbon transportation. Reduce carbon emissions from transportation systems, including supporting electric vehicle infrastructure

g.  Carbon sequestration. Support the use of green infrastructure to increase carbon sequestration and reduce energy needed to cool buildings in summer.

District Policies: Health and Environment

Policy 6.PL-1

High performance large sites. Encourage “high performance areas” that promote energy efficiency, green building technologies, sustainable site design and practices at a neighborhood scale, particularly in areas with large amounts of planned new development such as the US Postal Service site.

2

The master plan demonstrates how development will comply with the Central City Fundamental Design Guidelines, as well as any applicable design guidelines specific to the subdistrict the master plan site is located within.

Central City Fundamental Design Guidelines

A1

Integrate the River

A2

Emphasize Portland Themes

A3

Respect the Portland Block Structures

A4

Use Unifying Elements

A5

Enhance, Embellish and Identify Areas

A6

Reuse / Rehabilitate / Restore Buildings

A7

Establish and Maintain a Sense of Urban Enclosure

A8

Contribute to a Vibrant Streetscape

A9

Strengthen Gateways

B1

Reinforce and Enhance the Pedestrian System

B2

Protect the Pedestrian

B3

Bridge Pedestrian Obstacles

B4

Provide Stopping and Viewing Places

B5

Make Plazas, Parks, and Open Space Successful

B6

Develop Weather Protection

B7

Integrate Barrier-Free Design

C1

Enhance View Opportunities

C2

Promote Permanence and Quality in Development

C3

Respect Architectural Integrity

C4

Complement the Context of Existing Buildings

C5

Design for Coherency

C6

Develop Transitions Between Buildings and Public Spaces

C7

Design Corners that Build Active Intersections

C8

Differentiate the Sidewalk-Level of Buildings

C9

Develop Flexible Sidewalk-Level Spaces

C10

Integrate Encroachments

C11

Integrate Roofs and Use Rooftops

C12

Integrate Exterior Lighting

C13

Integrate Signs

River District Design Guidelines

A1-1

Link the river to the community

A3-1

Provide convenient pedestrian linkages

A5-1

Reinforce the identity of the Pearl District Neighborhood

A5-2

Emphasize NW Broadway bright lights

A5-3

Incorporate water features

A5-4

Integrate works of art

A8-1

Design fences, walls, and gateways to be seen over

A9-1

Provide a distinct sense of entry and exit

B1-1

Provide human scale to buildings along walkways

B5-1

Recognize the roles of the Tanner Creek Parks

B5-2

Strengthen the significance of the Classical Chinese Garden

C1-1

Increase river view opportunities

C3-1

Integrate parking

C9-1

Reduce the impact of residential unit garages on pedestrians

3

Development on lots with river frontage incorporates elements that activate the riverfront, such as open areas, trails, accessways, and active land uses that encourage public use and enjoyment of the riverfront.

4

The proposed uses will not have significant adverse effects on industrial firms or result in conflicts with industrial activities located within the plan boundary or within 500 feet of the plan boundary.

5

The master plan demonstrates that development within the plan boundary will establish an overall building orientation through massing, the location of entrances, and the location of ground floor uses that result in an edge that embraces adjacent public park rather than creating an abrupt edge between the plan area and parks, and ensures that development within the plan boundary will not excessively shade the adjacent park.

6

The master plan demonstrates that easy and safe access will be provided to transit stations located within or immediately adjacent to the master plan boundary, and any buildings located immediately adjacent to a transit station include ground floor uses that create an active and safe pedestrian environment throughout the day, evening, and week.

7

Internal open areas are accessible within, and distributed throughout, the master plan area and have connections to the surrounding neighborhood and to any adjacent open space. Internal open areas enhance visual permeability through the site, especially on sites near the Willamette River. The size and location of each open area must be adequate to accommodate the intended use of the space.

8

The transportation system is capable of supporting the proposed uses in addition to the existing uses in the plan area. Evaluation factors include street capacity, level of service, connectivity, transit availability, availability of pedestrian and bicycle networks, on-street parking impacts, access restrictions, neighborhood impacts, impacts on pedestrian, bicycle, and transit circulation, and safety. Evaluation factors may be balanced; a finding of failure in one or more factors may be acceptable if the failure is not a result of the proposed development, and any additional impacts on the system from the proposed development are mitigated.

9

The proposed street plan must provide multi-modal street connections to support the surrounding street grid pattern.

10

The plan ensures that there will be adequate and timely infrastructure capacity for the proposed development.

11

The master plan demonstrates that, to the extent practical and feasible, inactive uses, such as, but not limited to, parking and access, loading, and trash and recycling are shared or consolidated, with the goal of activating the pedestrian environment.

12

The proposal will not have a significant adverse effect on truck and freight movement.

Not applicable on this site (OMSI only).

13

City-designated scenic resources are preserved.

Not applicable on this site (OMSI only).

14

Proposed residential uses are buffered from potential nuisance impacts from uses allowed by right in the zone.

Not applicable on this site (OMSI only).

15

The master plan includes a design, landscape, and transportation plan that will limit conflicts between residential, employment, and industrial uses.

Not applicable on this site (OMSI only).