Project Background

The project began in 2009 with a grant-funded assessment of the City's residential development and design standards. This assessment identified a number of issues with the current code, and suggested approaches to addressing the issues.

A summary of the current code and Comprehensive Plan policies describes current regulations and the types of housing that are currently allowed in the City. A history of the City's residential development standards explain how current policies were crafted.

• Smart Development Code Assessment Action Plan: Identified issues and suggested approaches (short version)
• Smart Development Code Assessment Final Report: Identified issues and suggested approaches (long version) 
• Summary of Existing Residential Development Standards: Current residential development standards 
• Summary of Milwaukie Comprehensive Plan Residential Policies: What the City's Comprehensive Plan has to say about residential development and design standards 
• History of the City's Residential Development Standards: How today's standards have developed over time

Staff has provided numerous project updates and to the Planning Commission and City Council. Past staff reports and memos are available below:

• March 9, 2010, Planning Commission worksession
• March 16, 2010, City Council regular session
• October 26, 2010, Planning Commission worksession
• January 11, 2011, Planning Commission worksession
• February 3, 2011, City Council memo
• May 24, 2011, Planning Commission worksession
• June 28, 2011, joint Planning Commission and City Council worksession
• September 27, 2011, Planning Commission worksession
• October 11, 2011, Planning Commission worksession
• October 25, 2011, Planning Commission worksession
• December 13, 2011, Planning Commission worksession
• January 10, 2012, Planning Commission worksession
• January 24, 2012, Planning Commission worksession

Additional staff reports are available on the land use application page.