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Portland’s suspension of fees spurs mixed-use development
The city's moratorium on system development charges is motivating developers such as Joe Westerman, who is proposing to construct a multistory mixed-use building with 158 apartments on Northeast Sandy Boulevard.
Portland councilors push major design review reform
The Portland City Council is preparing to consider a resolution that could led to design review process changes and a possible temporary exemption to accelerate housing construction.
Portland may waive fees to fast-track 5,000 new housing units
A proposed city ordinance would waive system development charges for a limited number of projects, easing costs amid challenging lending conditions.
Beaverton considers new transportation SDCs
The 2,300 acres of the South Cooper Mountain Annexation Area are mostly undeveloped, but the city of Beaverton is getting ready for future growth by drawing up transportation system development charges to help pay for road improvements in the area.
Implementation for new parks SDCs extended to July 2016
The Portland City Council won鈥檛 vote whether to increase system development charges (SDC) for parks until Wednesday, but developers already have an extension.
Development may soon cost more
System development charge rate hikes are being proposed to increase Portland park space.
A call for scalable system development charges
A Portland architect contends that the city of Portland should incentivize apartment conversion projects that create more housing units by reducing or waiving system development charges.
More market-rate housing encouraged in Old Town Chinatown
An Old Town Chinatown revitalization plan approved recently includes incentives for developers to build apartments in the neighborhood for middle-income residents.
SDCs for ADUs could be extended until 2016
Portland City Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution that would extend a suspension on system development charges for accessory dwelling units for another three years to July 31, 2016. Adopted in 2010, the suspension was slated to expire in 2013.
Town offers SDC discount for new homes
City officials in Dallas are considering extending a discount on system development charges to help spur homebuilding in the town of 15,000 people located 15 miles west of Salem.
Washington County weighs pros and cons of development tax
Washington County鈥檚 Transportation Development Tax 鈥� a system development charge assessed to businesses when they change the intended use of a building space 鈥� has spurred much debate. At the heart of the issue is the impact the tax has on business development and whether it should be adjusted accordingly.
Developers balk at higher municipal fees
Some industry professionals say costs of system development charges in Portland are trending upward, and that the situation is starting to shape the face of their business.
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
