Vision for Portland in 2035 coming into focus

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland’s Comprehensive Plan has been in the works for years, and now city leaders are finalizing policies that will guide the next 20 years of growth for the region.

City leaders met Thursday for the first of 3 hearings on the final plan.

While some are celebrating the progress, others aren’t as happy, and are even threatening to take the city to court.

Khanh Pham and her group Anti-Displacement PDX fought hard to get policies aimed at preventing gentrification and expanding affordable housing into the Comprehensive Plan.

“We are definitely hopeful and optimistic that the city council will do the right thing, but we know there is a lot of political pressure they are facing,” Pham said.

Members of Anti-Displacement PDX are urging city councilors to approve policies included in the draft Comprehensive Plan that align with their goals.

In a flier, the group wrote: “Ultimately… the Comprehensive Plan reflects our values and priorities: Is Portland a place where families and elders can thrive and contribute to their community? A place that values equity and inclusion? A place that values the people who live here?”

But not everyone is pleased with the plan as it stands.

Robert McCullough and the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association say they feel ignored by the city and are concerned the recommended zoning of their area will lead to the destruction of more trees and demolition of old homes.

“What does a good American do in a case like that?” McCullough asked. “Well, you go to court so we’ve hired a lawyer.

Anti-Displacement PDX and the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association are fighting for just 2 of the plan’s hundreds of policies that will outline growth in Portland for years to come.

Over time, the Comprehensive Plan will impact everyone who works or lives in Portland. It will affect things like transportation, property values, and who can build what where.

Part of the plan aims to produce 10,000 new affordable housing units by 2035, although the housing bureau currently doesn’t have the money to do it.

The transportation system plan would invest in sidewalks, crossings and bike infrastructure in far east Portland.

The plan also allows for many new apartment buildings and articulates zoning changes that will increase the value of some people’s land while decreasing the value for others.

There will be 2 more hearings on the Comprehensive Plan in 2015.