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A four-story affordable housing complex planned for 3000 S.E. Powell Blvd. still lacks sign-offs from two city bureaus.

The Portland Design Commission examined the project from the Portland Housing Bureau and nonprofit developer Home Forward, but did not take a vote during a design review hearing.

Both the Portland Bureau of Transportation and Bureau of Environmental Services said their requirements for the project had not been satisfied. PBOT officials said the project still needs preliminary permit approval from the Oregon Department of Transportation for access from Southeast Powell Boulevard – a state highway that is regulated by ODOT. PBOT also must approve improvements to Southeast 30th Avenue, which currently is an unimproved roadway at the project location.

BES said it needs more information on the project’s private stormwater management system and public improvements.

The planned complex would add 206 subsidized housing units – an important component of Mayor Ted Wheeler’s pledge to add 1,300 affordable units via the $258.4 million bond that voters approved in November 2016.

Holst Architecture is designing the project, which has gone through three design advice request hearings, most recently in June 2020. The project team will return Feb. 4 for a second design review hearing.