Neighborhood groups say city demolition changes need work

Compromise seen as good start, falls short of needed reforms

Good, but not good enough.

That was the reaction of neighborhood activists to reforms by a city committee to address some of the complaints about residential demolitions and infill projects.

The Development Review Advisory Committee approved the recommendations developed by a subcommittee on Nov. 20. The committee, which is comprised primarily of developers and neighborhood representatives, advises the Bureau of Development Services, which issues demolition permits.

The recommendations include a new 35-day delay for all residential demolitions, a new category for major alterations that requires a 35-day notification, expanded requirements for neighborhood notifications of pending demolitions, and replacing the 120-day delay available to neighborhood association with a voluntary 30-day extension. They will be drafted into a proposal to be considered by the City Council on Dec. 17.

We think the recommendations are a good compromise. Nobody thinks theyre perfect, but theyre pretty good, considering we were under time constraints, says Jeff Fish, a developer who leads the DRAC.

Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who oversees BDS, wants the council to consider the recommendations before the end of the year.

The activists complain the demolition and infill projects are destroying the character of Portland neighborhoods. The number of demolition permits issued by BDS is expected to increase from 279 in 2013 to more than 400 this year. Thousands of permits are also being issued each year for major remodeling projects where most of the houses are demolished.

Falling short

Some of the activists praised DRACs work.

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Neighborhood groups say city demolition changes need work