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A project geared to alter Portland code to streamline navigation of environmental zoning regulations for infrastructure projects, as well as support ongoing natural resource management, was greenlit by the City Council on Wednesday. A series of amendments will take effect July 1.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the . It amends the standards and procedures for development in the chapters of the zoning code (Title 33) that pertain to environmental zones (33.430, 33.465, and 33.475) to better address needed improvements to existing public infrastructure, as well as to address future infrastructure projects expected throughout the city in the coming years, a city staff report states.

Other zoning code amendments in the ordinance provide more streamlined approval processes for natural resource management by city staff, update some tree replacement and site enhancement requirements, update notice requirements, and address technical issues.

The amendments will allow teams to expedite city and Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District projects to upgrade, expand or replace certain public infrastructure throughout Portland, Chief Planner Patricia Diefenderfer of the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability said in a Feb. 12 meeting. The changes also will allow for better vegetation management on public property.

The amendments are expected to also produce cost savings. Currently, many city infrastructure projects in environmental zones must go through a costly and time-consuming land use review to gain approval, according to the staff report. The Public Infrastructure Environmental Code Project’s aim was to reduce the need for land use reviews for projects that upgrade or replace important public infrastructure, such as pump stations and flood control structures.

鈥淭hrough conversations with the water bureau and the fire bureau, we recognize there’s a need for change related to protection of especially water infrastructure from the potential for wildfire and other risks that are related to climate change,鈥� BPS supervising planner Jeff Caudill said during the February city council meeting.

Many public infrastructure facilities are decades old and overdue for upgrades or replacement, Caudill said.

The amendments provide standards for public infrastructure projects that would have previously been subject to environmental review. When standards require site enhancement or tree replacement, there are now options for both on-site and off-site planting or a fee in lieu.

There are four categories of zoning code amendments: pump station and flood control structure replacement, natural area management, tree removal management, and technical.

For the pump station and flood control structure, sewer lines are often located in low lying areas near streams and other waterways. The amendment includes a set of standards for replacements of pump stations without a lengthy review process.

Amendments for natural area management include exempting removals of small native trees in city-managed natural areas, exempting installations of beaver management devices to minimize potential of flooding, and adding new standards for floating structures that provide habitat for fish and wildlife.

Tree removal management amendments account for work in wildfire hazard areas. There are standards for removal of trees within 30 feet 鈥� from the existing 10 feet 鈥� of water tanks and pumps, sewage pump stations, electrical substations and emergency communications.

Technical amendments remove redundant notice requirements for projects that meet standards, expand allowances for development in rights-of-way, and amend standards for roadway stormwater planters to allow non-native vegetation.

Other clarifying amendments were added by staff, Caudill said. For instance, language was added to the standard for flood and waste control facilities to make clear that standards can be used by city bureaus for replacement of facilities smaller than 3,000 square feet. Also, the Port of Portland can now use these standards.