PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Dozens of Portland neighborhoods may look different after a vote by the City Planning Commission to approve the Residential Infill Project.
The commission voted 5-4 Tuesday to approve the proposal to rezone many single-family neighborhoods to allow multiplexes.
The commission had hours of questions for staff about the plan that would allow up to four units to be built on what used to be a single family lot in much of the city.
The reason behind it is to try to create more affordable housing in Portland and make room for the tens of thousands of new residents expected in the next couple of decades. But allowing developers to tear down homes and build multiplexes has opponents worried about losing the character of neighborhoods and affordability.
“It is counteractive to affordability and development,” homeowner and developer Robert Bonnah said. “It places such limitations on developers and homeowners. It doesn’t make sense.”
There are still some big questions as to how many new housing units this policy would create.
Supporters say the zoning change is needed to work toward more people being able to afford to rent or buy in Portland.
The Residential Infill Project will head next to the City Council for approval.
It will still be up to the City Council to approve this zoning change and there would be public testimony. None was allowed during the meeting on Tuesday.