PSC Narrowly Votes to Require Developers Build Space for Tents in New Design Guidelines

The Willamette Week reports that a narrow majority of Portland’s Planning and
Sustainability Commission voted to approve a last-minute amendment to new
design guidelines. The amendment changes language around outdoor space
requirements for new developments – in addition to providing “opportunities to
pause, sit and interact,” if the new guidelines are adopted developers will also
be required to provide space where people can “rest and be welcome.” The change
was proposed by Commissioner Oriana Magnera, who argued that there are people
who need to rest on a “longer-term scale,” and that the benches provided by
many developers outside of their buildings are not adequate for people who need
or want to pitch a tent. The commission voted 5-4 to adopt the new language. The
Commission plans to send its recommendations to the Design Commission December
17th – the Design Commission will then vote on a final set of
recommendations that will be sent to the City Council. Read more.