Submit testimony on a recommendation to City Council to create standards for public infrastructure improvements in natural areas

Recommended Draft released

Project staff have released the Recommended Draft of the Public Infrastructure Environmental Code Project. This plan draft represents the Planning Commission's formal recommendation to City Council.

This project will amend the requirements of the City's environmental overlay zones, also known as ezones, to facilitate needed improvements to public infrastructure and allow for management of trees, vegetation, and other natural resources in publicly owned and maintained natural areas.

What changes were made since the previous draft?

Two changes were made by the Planning Commission. The first change is the deletion of an amendment to zoning code standards that would have reduced the quantity of native trees that can be removed as a part of new development. The second change was the addition of the Port of Portland to a list of groups that are eligible to make use of standards that allow for the management of native vegetation in environmental overlay zones.

Read the Recommended Draft

Submit testimony to City Council

City Council's Climate, Resilience, and Land Use Committee is scheduled to host a hearing and briefing on the Public Infrastructure Environmental Code Project on February 12, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format.

How to testify

There are two ways to submit testimony to the Committee:

• Submit written testimony using the project's Map App by Feb. 12 at 9:30 a.m.
• Provide oral testimony

Registration for oral testimony will be available on the Council Clerk's event page on the Thursday, Feb. 5. Check back for updates. The deadline to register for oral testimony is Feb. 12 at 8:30 a.m.

Next steps

After considering public testimony, the Climate, Resilience and Land Use Committee will vote to make a recommendation for the full City Council.

Sign up for email updates to stay in the loop about future opportunities to submit testimony.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact project staff by phone or email:

503 823 4225

[email protected]