The Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission has proposed a truly radical development requirement for private developments in the city's downtown: spaces for the homeless.
Updated on December 6, 2019: The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability has released a statement clarifying information reported in the story shared below. According to the statement, the language proposed for the Design Overlay Zone Amendments (DOZA) project does not allow for camping or sleeping. The approved text of Guideline 6, the subject of the reporting share below, reads as follows: "Guideline 6: Provide opportunities to rest and be welcome." The headline and image of this story have been updated to clarify this information.
"If a majority of the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission has its way, new private buildings downtown will be required to include spaces where houseless Portlanders can 'rest,' which could include sleeping and pitching tents," reports Nigel Jaquiss.
The idea, championed by Commissioner Oriana Magnera, is not a sure thing to reach the Portland City Council, after encountering vocal opposition from the minority that opposed the idea on the council.
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