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Bureau of Planning & Sustainability

Service Area Summaries > Community & Economic Development > Bureau of Planning & Sustainability -- 40 pages · pp. 267-306 ↗

Intro (~3,624 tokens, spilled to sibling files): pp. 267-273 · PDF ↗

Contents

Section PDF pages Description
[doc] Area Planning pp. 274-275 ↗ The Area Planning program implements Portland's Comprehensive Plan through district-specific community engagement and area planning projects. It comprises District Planning (focused on East Portland heat strategies and 82nd Ave initiatives) and Central City Planning (implementing the 2035 Central City Plan with emphasis on housing and waterfront). The program serves equity by funding planning work in underserved areas and supporting restorative justice projects. Past budget cuts strained community relationships, which staff are rebuilding through outreach and education initiatives.
[doc] Bureau Administration pp. 276-277 ↗ Bureau Administration includes the BPS Director's Office and shared internal services supporting all BPS programs through an overhead model funded from five sources: General Fund, Solid Waste Fund, PCEF, Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission, and grants. The 2026-27 budget is $1,971,363, reflecting significant restructuring as services migrate to the Service Area level under a citywide Internal Services Re-Alignment initiative begun in Fall 2025.
[doc] Climate, Energy, & Sustainable Development pp. 278-280 ↗ The Climate, Energy, & Sustainable Development program within the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability works to decarbonize Portland's economy and achieve carbon reduction targets set by City Council. FY 2026-27 budgets $8.2M in revenues and $8.1M in expenses, focusing on renewable fuels, building energy reporting, and clean industry initiatives. The program is undergoing structural changes as the Chief Sustainability Officer moves to the City Administrator's Office, shifting BPS's role from overall climate leadership to specialized subject-matter expertise in buildings, energy, transportation, and fuels.
[doc] Code Development pp. 281-282 ↗ The Code Development program maintains and updates Portland's zoning code, leads major code projects, and provides technical expertise to support planning initiatives citywide. With 5 FTE, the program focuses on housing production, economic recovery, and state law compliance. The 2026-27 budget is $2.18M, with 1 FTE equivalent of grant and one-time funding backfilling a 10% Planning Division cut from the prior year.
[doc] Comprehensive Planning pp. 283-284 ↗ The Comprehensive Planning program maintains Portland's Comprehensive Plan, managing growth and development to create complete neighborhoods. The 2026-27 proposed budget totals $1,553,217 with $1,500,017 in personnel costs. The team has 4.0 FTE (3.25 General Fund, 0.75 one-time grants), reduced from its peak due to decade-long budget cuts. Key ongoing projects include Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub Policy and the Inner East Rezoning Project.
[doc] Digital Equity and Smart Cities PDX pp. 285-286 ↗ Digital Equity and Smart Cities PDX, under the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability, has two components. The Digital Equity Program ensures Portlanders have access to affordable internet, devices, and digital skills for economic mobility and workforce advancement. Smart City PDX focuses on AI governance, responsible technology deployment, and citywide collaboration on emerging technologies. FY 2026-27 budget is $5.3M (up from $2.7M), with External Materials and Services at $5M. A newly established Data Office will assume privacy impact assessments and surveillance inventory responsibilities from SCPDX.
[doc] Equity and Engagement pp. 287-288 ↗ The Equity and Engagement program at the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability provides strategic support to ensure racial equity and community engagement across BPS. The 2026-27 budget shows internal revenues of $759,023 with personnel expenses of $542,941. The program staff support meaningful engagement with underserved communities, provide training, and oversee equity initiatives. Key changes include taking on the Immigrant Affairs Liaison role and potentially supporting other bureaus under a new centralized realignment model.
[doc] Franchise Utility pp. 289-290 ↗ The Franchise Utility Program manages Portland's public right-of-way (valued at $13 billion) for private utility companies through franchise agreements, generating an estimated $85-90 million annually for the General Fund—the city's third largest revenue source. The 2026-27 proposed budget includes revenues of $823,993 and expenses of $805,714, with plans to improve permitting systems and implement a payment portal with BTS.
[doc] Graffiti Abatement pp. 291-292 ↗ The Graffiti Abatement Program, implemented by the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability, processes graffiti reports and provides removal services for small businesses, nonprofits, and residents. Staffed by 2.0 permanent FTE and 1.0 limited-term FTE, the 2026-27 proposed budget is $1.8M. The program prioritizes equity through contracts with Black-owned companies and proactive outreach to underserved communities.
[doc] Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission pp. 293-294 ↗ Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission (MHCRC) will dissolve June 30, 2026. Bureau of Planning & Sustainability will assume management of outstanding PEG revenues and compliance through a new intergovernmental agreement. The 2026-27 budget of $436,000 reflects the transition, with $356,171 for personnel, $68,829 for external services, and $11,000 for internal services. The Digital Equity Program will oversee future PEG revenue distribution and community technology access.
[doc] Portland Clean Energy Fund pp. 295-296 ↗ The Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) implements voter-approved Measure 26-201, investing in community-led projects reducing carbon emissions while advancing social and economic benefits. Funded by a 1% surcharge on large retailers' revenues, PCEF generates ~$200M annually. The Climate Investment Plan guides ~$1.6B in investments through June 2029, prioritizing frontline communities through energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation decarbonization, and workforce development to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
[doc] River & Environmental pp. 297-298 ↗ The River & Environmental Planning program develops plans, policies, and regulations to protect environmental resources, manage floodplains, and support climate resilience. It focuses on three areas: Willamette River Planning, Environmental Planning, and Resiliency Planning. The program has experienced reduced resources over 5-7 years and operates at minimal staffing. Current work includes correcting environmental overlay zone (Ezone) maps and updating floodplain regulations to maintain federal flood insurance access.
[doc] Sustainability Education & Assistance pp. 299-301 ↗ Sustainability Education & Assistance supports waste reduction, recycling, and composting through two teams: Technical Assistance & Education and Policy & Program Development. The 2026-27 budget is $4.4M, up from $3.6M in 2025-26. Major initiatives include implementing the Recycling Modernization Act, achieving 80% food scraps collection compliance, enhancing multifamily services, and expanding school-based waste education.
[doc] Urban Design and Research pp. 302-303 ↗ The Urban Design and Research program provides research and expertise on housing, economic development, urban design, and historic preservation for the City. Two teams—Housing and Economic Interventions, and Urban Design Studio & Historic Resources—conduct state-mandated analyses (EOA, HNA, HPS), lead anti-displacement policy work, and support major infrastructure projects including the Broadway Corridor, Central City Green Loop, and Reconnecting Albina Planning Project. The program emphasizes equity through housing access initiatives and historic resource preservation for underrepresented communities.
[doc] Waste Reduction & Recycling pp. 304-306 ↗ The Waste Reduction & Recycling program manages Portland's waste and recycling services across residential, commercial, and public systems. The 2026-27 budget totals $18.96M in revenue, primarily from the Solid Waste Management Fund, with $11.27M in program expenses. Key initiatives include expanding public trash cans to 1,600 citywide, launching income-based financial assistance for residents, improving multifamily waste systems, and reviewing commercial collection structures.

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