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Portland’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan is one step closer to taking effect after a favorable ruling last week from the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission.

The state commission turned down appeals from the Multnomah Neighborhood Association objecting to the city’s 鈥渕iddle housing鈥� policy and other rules intended to increase density.

鈥淲e’re pleased with the decision,鈥� Eric Engstrom, principal planner at the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, stated in an email message.

鈥淎mong other things, it brings new mixed-use zoning to transit corridors and centers outside the Central City. This new zoning will facilitate private investment in needed housing,鈥� Engstrom stated.

The Comprehensive Plan is the city’s wide-ranging document that will govern development within city limits as Portland grows to incorporate more than 100,000 new residents that are expected by 2035. The Comprehensive Plan is set to go into effect on May 24.

An appeal to the Oregon Court of Appeals is likely, Multnomah Neighborhood Association Chairwoman Martie Sucec said.

鈥淭hat’s our plan,鈥� she said.

Neighborhoods such as Multnomah Village have adapted uneasily to developers building apartments near single-family homes, often with little or no new parking.

In Multnomah Village, Urban Asset Advisors has constructed Multnomah Village Apartments and is planning a second mixed-use building, Multnomah Station, along Southwest Capitol Highway. The buildings have similar designs, with three stories of apartments over ground-floor retail space.

The neighborhood association has fought the developments.

鈥淚t’s going to be like a canyon on Capitol Highway,鈥� Sucec said.

Other objections from the Multnomah Neighborhood Association centered on designating Multnomah Village a 鈥渘eighborhood center鈥� rather than a 鈥渘eighborhood corridor,鈥� which allows for building up to four stories. The neighborhood association has advocated for a three-story height limit.

鈥淚t’s not that we object to density,鈥� Sucec said. 鈥淲e object to having no role, no assurance, in where those things go.鈥�

A written order will follow the commission’s March 15 decision. If the neighborhood association does not appeal, the comprehensive plan will be considered 鈥渁cknowledged鈥� by the state, clearing the way for implementation.