Most neighborhoods in Portland invest a significant effort in reviewing requests to change the way land is used within our area.  Brentwood-Darlington is no exception.  The City of Portland has a complex set of rules which determine acceptable ways to build new buildings or alter existing ones.  If an application to the city follows all of these rules, the application is approved without further delay.  If, however, the application requests something outside these guidelines, it is referred to as an adjustment (called a variance in many cities) and is routed to the Land Use Committee for consideration.

The Land Use Committee meets monthly to consider these requests for adjustment.  Typically a committee member visits the site of the proposed change and brings pictures back to the group.  The change is discussed following the guidelines from the city regarding situations in which the exact terms of the zoning rules might be "bent", then decides whether or not to oppose the application.  If opposition is chosen, the Land Use Chair will write a letter to the city stating our objection and listing the reasons.

Because the time available for decision and comment is frequently short, the Neighborhood Association Board of Directors has given the Land Use Committee Chair the authority to act as soon as a decision is reached.  Our bylaws require that the Land Use Committee bring its decisions to the next Board Meeting for ratification.

Although Land Use issues can be complex, and the criteria for decisions is fairly constrained, it provides a fascinating look at a changing neighborhood and the opportunity to have a say in how it will change.  For information on attending the next Land Use meeting, check the Events page of the website or call the Land Use Chair.