On the one hand, the city of Portland is facing pressure to add new housing and development to meet the needs of a growing population and an expensive real estate market. On the other hand, change is never easy.
"Portland's past and future collided at the City Council last Wednesday," reports Jim Redden.
"At issue was the proposed construction of new six-story apartment building in a part of town where the council has encouraged growth, inner Southeast Portland," according to Redden.
The development proposal ran into trouble because of its proximity to two historic Victorian homes on the same block. The ensuing controversy led to five hearings by the city's Design Review Commission, compromises by the developer, and, finally, a failed appeal to the City Council. Those process setbacks have occurred despite the developers insistence that the proposal meets the city's land use policies.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler summed up the difficulties raised by this development project during the council hearing on the appeal. In his own words: "This is almost the perfect storm of old Portland and the future….Two worlds are colliding. It's a historic neighborhood, but in a city that's in high transition."
The article includes more of the political dynamics of the development process in Portland, both generally and with regard to this specific project.
FULL STORY: Council kicks Ankeny Apartments back to developer, PDC
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.