Influential Portland Planning Commission seeks three new members

It only looks boring.

There’s a big opportunity afoot for three Portlanders who want to play a major role in shaping our city’s growth.

The 11-member Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission has announced three openings that need to be filled due to people being termed out. The PSC is a very influential body that advises City Council on Portland’s long-range goals, land-use policy, and more. That means they have a major say in everything from bike parking and housing to freeway widening projects.

Speaking of which, the PSC is where a vote was held two years ago on whether or not Portland should remove the I-5 Rose Quarter project from its Transportation System Plan. The idea was proposed by noted transportation advocate and PSC Vice-Chair Chris Smith who opposes the project because of how it makes driving through our Central City easier. Smith’s motion narrowly fell by a vote of 6 to 4. Had a few members voted differently, ODOT would not be marching forward with their plans as confidently as they are now.

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Here’s more about the openings from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability:

The PSC includes 11 volunteer members with expertise in a range of areas. Their major role is to advise City Council on Portland’s long range goals, policies and programs for land use, “Be the next “city shaper” – or help us find one!

Given the number of open seats (almost one third of the Commission), this is a chance to lead with equity and include more people of different ages, cultural backgrounds, incomes, residences and abilities to move our community closer to the city we aspire to be.

To complement the existing voices on the Commission, people who have backgrounds in and care about the following are sought:

Equity / social justice
Climate action / sustainability
Business / economic & community development
Zoning code / general land use / traditional long-range planning
Central Eastside / new industry

This recruitment will be open until March 15th.

If you’re interested or know someone who might be, check out the full description and call for new members here.

In related news the PSC will have a work session on the Bicycle Parking Code Update tomorrow (2/25).

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

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