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Portland planners next week will host two public workshops to gather input on preliminary concepts for new mixed-use zoning designations.

The meetings, part of the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability‘s , will take place on Nov. 5 at 1900 S.W. Fourth Ave., in Room 2500, and Nov. 6 in the cafeteria at Jefferson High School, 5210 N. Kerby Ave. Both workshops will go from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Mixed Use Zones Project stems from efforts to update the city’s comprehensive plan and encourage development of mixed-use centers for more walkable urban neighborhoods. Currently, the city uses commercial and central employment zones that were created in the 1990s, when car-centric developments and lower-density commercial projects were more common.

The project is moving into the concept development phase and city staffers would like to gather public input on ideas for potential mixed-use zones, said Barry Manning, a senior planner and project manager with BPS. The bureau this past spring hosted community walks in commercial corridors to discuss mixed-use zoning.

鈥淭his is an opportunity to check back in with the public and stakeholders,鈥� he said.

The agenda for the public meetings will include discussion of possible development standards for the new zones, Manning said. This could include specifics about building massing, transitions and step-downs, and ground-floor uses.

The city currently has nine mixed-use zoning designations, but planners believe it’s possible to pare those down, Manning said.

鈥淲e think we may be able to simplify that down to four or so,鈥� he said.

Planners plan to release proposals for new mixed-use zoning in spring 2015. Public hearings on those codes will likely take place in summer 2015.