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The Portland City Council is considering adoption of an amended Central City 2035 Plan after it was remanded by state regulators.

Historic preservationists successfully challenged the zoning overhaul, which called for increasing height limits in some areas, including 10 blocks in Old Town Chinatown in Northwest Portland. It also called for decreasing height limits on some properties, typically to preserve views of Mount Hood or the Willamette River.

The state Land Use Board of Appeals remanded the ordinance in August 2019, saying the city’s findings were inadequate to support the higher height limits in Old Town Chinatown. LUBA‘s remand forced the city to explain how the taller maximum heights 鈥減reserve and complement historic resources,鈥� as required by the city’s comprehensive plan.

Restore Oregon and a coalition of Old Town Chinatown organizations challenged Guardian Real Estate‘s plans to build on Block 33, which under Central City 2035 zoning would have a 200-foot height limit with bonuses.

In January, the state Court of Appeals affirmed LUBA’s analysis in a lawsuit brought by Restore Oregon and various other groups.

The City Council received two hours of public testimony on Thursday, but did not vote. The written record was held open until 5 p.m. on June 4. The council is tentatively scheduled to vote on amended findings on July 2, with a final vote the following week.

Pearl Neighbors for Integrity in Design has pushed for the City Council to hold off on adoption until after November elections, when a new slate of commissioners will be seated.