Portland advances land use reviews and urban planning projects

Portland is seeing various commercial land use developments and significant updates to its long-range planning projects. Recent land use review intakes include a proposal to convert five floors of an office building at 707 S.W. Washington St. into colocation data center spaces. Other local projects involve parking adjustments at 4840 N.E. 138th Ave., drainage modifications for a freezer at the David Douglas School District, and the installation of a wider downstream approach road for Gunderson Marine & Iron to accommodate larger vessels.

Simultaneously, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is advancing several policy initiatives. These include a proposal to temporarily suspend required design reviews in most cases, a Housing Bonus Alignment Project, and a Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub Policy Project. Additionally, the city is working on Central City Code Amendments, state land use compliance, and the Inner Eastside Zoning Project to increase housing choices. Public hearings and testimony opportunities are scheduled throughout September and October 2026 for several of these projects.