City Council votes unanimously to create a standardized approach for approving public infrastructure projects in natural areas

Read the As-Adopted Plan

How do ezones provide protection for natural resources?

Ezones are designed to protect important natural resources like streams, forests, and wetlands from development. Environmentally sensitive development can be approved when established criteria - also known as standards - can be met. When standards cannot be met, a more extensive environmental review is required. Environmental review involves an analysis of alternatives and often produces more environmentally sensitive outcomes.

Why provide a streamlined process for approving public infrastructure projects in ezone protected areas?

Public infrastructure serves vital functions including water delivery, waste treatment, and flood protection. In many cases throughout the city, this infrastructure is aging and requires upgrades. By the nature of their function, these facilities are often located on small sites near streams, waterbodies and other protected natural resources. As a result of these site constraints, many of the expected benefits of Environmental Review are often not achievable. The process can result in additional expense and delay without additional benefit.

The Public Infrastructure Environment Code Project establishes new standards for important public infrastructure projects so they can be approved without undue process, while also ensuring the preservation of natural resources. These standards are designed to improve wildlife habitat and minimize wildfire risk.

The project also included updates and improvements to the revegetation fund and allowances for the construction of accessory dwelling units with reduced street setbacks on sites that contain ezones. These changes will provide more flexible and streamlined approval pathways for development on sites with ezones.

What did we hear from the community?

Throughout the development of the project, staff worked closely with partners at other city bureaus, such as Permitting and Development, Water, Environmental Services, and Fire and Rescue. Staff also coordinated with organizations outside of city government, such as the Port of Portland and the Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District. Through these collaborations, staff were able to develop proposals that were narrowly tailored to facilitate development while protecting and enhancing natural resources.

At public hearings, testimony was submitted by several individuals and representatives of organizations. Some people commented on vegetation management regulations in Parks near the Willamette River, and others commented on the impacts that environmental regulations have on waterfront businesses and residences on the Columbia River. One public agency requested that they be added to a list of organizations that are eligible to use certain development approval processes.

In response to public testimony, City Council made some minor amendments and clarifications to development standards for flood safety and sewage pump station infrastructure.