Planning Commission to consider new land use and transportation plan for Montgomery Park area in NW Portland

News Article

The Montgomery Park Area Plan proposes new direction for NW area, setting the stage for housing, more jobs, and transportation options; staff briefing and public hearing on Tue., May 21 at 5 p.m.

West of Highway 30, between NW Vaughn and NW Nicolai streets, the iconic Montgomery Park office building rises near the western edge of a large opportunity area and new neighborhood. Setting the stage for change and future housing, jobs and transit, the Montgomery Park Area Plan (MPAP) proposes opportunities to help this unique area grow in an equitable and climate resilient way.

Several years in the making, MPAP evolved from the Montgomery Park to Hollywood (MP2H) Transit and Land Use Development Study, which looked at the potential for a streetcar alignment from downtown Portland to the Hollywood District in NE Portland, as well as extending the existing streetcar line in NW Portland.

Vision for a corner of NW Portland

The MPAP envisions the area as a mixed-use employment district that supports job growth and housing development. The plan proposes land use changes to promote equitable, transit-oriented development and complements a future extension of the Portland Streetcar. The changes include proposed amendments to Portland's Comprehensive Plan map, zoning map, zoning code, and design guidance.

A proposed draft of the plan is on its way to the Planning Commission for a briefing and public hearing on Tuesday, May 21, starting at 5 p.m. Community members are invited to review the plan and testify to the commission in writing via the Map App or verbally in person at the hearing. An overview of the Proposed Draft is available online.

Room to grow with a lower carbon footprint

The Montgomery Park Area Plan will allow this unique area to transition from the current mix of larger underutilized land holdings and employment-focused land uses into a new, mixed-use and transit-served neighborhood.

The proposed streetcar alignment would run north along NW 23rd Ave from Lovejoy and Northrup streets, turning west on a couplet along NW Roosevelt and NW Wilson to NW 26th Ave. NW 23rd would be substantially reconstructed north of Northrup Ave. Other planned improvements and investments will make getting around and meeting daily needs without a car easier.

The Plan will expand housing and employment options in a central location of the city easily served by transit and near many existing services and community assets, including cultural venues, jobs, open areas, schools, shops, etc.

And while it creates the opportunity for more than 2,000 new housing units (including affordable units), new commercial services, and hundreds of new jobs ― including middle wage jobs ― it limits the area of land use changes to support the retention of nearby industrial land and jobs. It also includes measures to balance the proposed loss of industrial land within the area.

Have your say

The Montgomery Park Area Plan (MPAP) Proposed Draft is available for public review and comment. An overview of the Proposed Draft is also available online. The Planning Commission and Design Commission are expected to hold a joint public hearing on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m. Community members are invited to review the Proposed Draft and testify in writing or verbally in person to the Planning Commission, which will consider public testimony before they forward their recommendation on to City Council.

Submit verbal testimony

The public hearing on May 21 will be a hybrid format with options to participate either in person or virtually using a computer, mobile device, or telephone. Those interested in testifying verbally must register in advance. The deadline to register is Mon., May 20 at 5 p.m.

Register to testify verbally

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the hearing. Individuals have three minutes to testify, unless stated otherwise at the hearing.

Submit written testimony

We strongly encourage electronic written testimony. Written testimony must be received by the end of the hearing on May 21 and include your name and address.

Via the Map App

Testify in writing via the Map App

Testifying in the Map App is as easy as sending an email.

Via U.S. Mail

Portland Planning Commission
Montgomery Park Area Plan Testimony
1810 SW 5th Ave, Suite 710
Portland, OR 97201