Design guidelines and standards now guide development in special areas of Portland. They have contributed to the nationally recognized vitality of our central city and our reputation for livable neighborhoods. In fact, developers, property owners and neighborhoods demand that new projects are well-designed. As our ability to manage growth relies increasingly on infill in existing neighborhoods, this issue becomes ever more important. Our community's expectations for high-quality development are high.
Good design is a key to maintaining our livability as the region grows.
The Portland City Council is now considering adoption of three design standards that will apply to all new houses, attached houses and duplexes. These are the housing types we expect to see built on vacant lots and newly divided parcels in our existing neighborhoods. Garages that do not dominate the front of the house. The standards are flexible and do not prescribe a particular architectural style or building type. They simply define the most basic of design principles so that new housing in neighborhoods like Irvington and Multnomah Village will fit in alongside its neighbors.