FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 18, 2009

Contact: Ross Caron, Bureau of Development Services 503.823.4268

(Portland, OR) Recognizing our business and community partners reliance on the services and resources we provide, the Bureau of Development Services has outlined its Holiday Closure schedule as follows:

November 26th & 27th: 

The Bureau of Development Services Offices, as well as all City Offices, will be closed November 26th (Thanksgiving Day). The Bureau of Development Services will re-open the day after Thanksgiving, Friday November 27th, but the Development Services Center (1st Floor) and Permitting Services (2nd Floor) will be closed. All other Bureau of Development Services Offices will be open and requested daily inspections will be performed.

December 25th thru January 1st, 2010:

The Bureau of Development Services Offices, as well as all City Offices, will be closed December 25th (Christmas Day) and January 1st 2010 (New Year's Day). In addition, the Development Services Center (1st Floor) will be closed December 28th, 29th, 30th & 31st All other Bureau of Development Services Offices will be open and requested daily inspections will be performed.

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If you are not already aware, the Bureau of Development Services has had to make a substantial reduction to its workforce due to the current economic environment and construction activity slowdown. In order to keep customers up to date, we have developed a communication plan to regularly communicate changes through Service Level Updates. You can access these updates on line at www.portlandonline.com/bds by clicking on "Service Updates".

Plans Examiner (November/December 2009) - a bi-monthly publication to inform the building-design and construction community about development procedures, policies, procedures and events affecting their work with the City of Portland. Archived Issues.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2009

Contact: Ross Caron, Bureau of Development Services 503.823.4268

(Portland, OR) In order to maintain the highest possible service level with limited resources, the Compliance Services Section and the Neighborhood Inspections Section have combined to maximize available resources in order to respond to as many complaints as possible. The newly combined Neighborhood Inspections & Compliance Services Section will operate Zoning, Noise, Work without Permit, Dangerous Buildings, Signs & A-Boards, Nuisance, Housing, Derelict Buildings, Exterior Maintenance Requirements on non-Residential Structures and Chapter 13/Systematic Inspection enforcement programs.

Due to the high reduction in enforcement inspection staff, it is also necessary to prioritize the various types of complaint investigation and enforcement cases. This will allow the workgroup to focus on the most critical violations relative to fire, life safety, health, sanitation, environmental and neighborhood livability.

“I understand the importance of our enforcement programs, which provide safety and livability services for our neighborhoods and commercial business,” said Paul Scarlett, Bureau Director, “and we will do our very best to continue addressing as many code complaints with the resources available at this time.”

A detailed list of enforcement / complaint operational changes and priorities is available at http://www.portlandonline.com/bds/index.cfm?c=51292&a=268401. The following is a brief summary of the most significant changes to enforcement programs during this interim time:

• Elimination of live phone coverage for the BDS Enforcement Hotline (503-823-CODE) for reporting complaints.
• Elimination of Nuisance Abatements, except for the most severe Fire/Life/Safety and Health/Sanitation cases.
• Suspension of investigations for disabled vehicles on private property and zoning inspections for passenger vehicles and recreational vehicles.
• Suspension of investigations and abatements for storage of Non-trash items and debris.
• Increased timelines to investigate assigned cases.
• Suspension of investigations and abatements for tall grass and weeds and overgrowth along property lines.

If you have questions about the Bureau’s enforcement program please visit the Bureau website or contact Mike Liefeld at (503) 823-7332.

The Fall Landlord Training classes will be on November 9th, 14th, 18th and 21st. Class sign in begins at 8 a.m. and starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. The class lasts a full 8hrs, with a one hour lunch break mid day. Please see the Fall 2009 Class Schedule for locations below: 

You can also register at our website using the following link Online Registration or (Printable Version - PDF). If you would like to be added to the mailing list for future classes, please call the Landlord Training voice mail line at (503) 823-7955; leave your name, mailing address, phone number and a message that you would like to be added to the mailing list. Thank you for your interest in the Landlord Training Program.

The Bureau of Development Services (BDS) is providing this information to help you design your deck, obtain a building permit and pass inspections. The standards and details in this Guide will help you determine how large the footings, beams, joists, posts, and ledgers need to be; how to build lateral bracing, stairs, and railings; and how to fasten all of the pieces together. This Guide does not take into account conditions which may affect your deck design such as drainage conditions, slope conditions, or decks supporting loads in excess of the standard uniform loads. Depending on your specifi c situation, you may need to hire a licensed architect or structural engineer prior to approval.

You may include all, or part of the pre-approved design standards and details in this guide with your building permit plans for decks that are:

• For one- and two-family dwellings
• Single-span
• All on one level
• Not supporting a hot tub or spa
• Not attached to house overhangs, bay windows, brick, stone or concrete block 
• Not more than 10 feet above the ground
• Not bearing on ground with a slope greater than 2 feet horizontal for every 1 foot vertical

For more information to help you design your deck, see Brochure 3a - Deck Design Guide.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2009

Contact: Ross Caron, Bureau of Development Services 503.823.4268

(Portland, OR) The Bureau of Development Services is acting on its commitment to provide regular and timely information to customers on service level adjustments during this economic downturn.

The downturn has resulted in sustained reduction in workload and permit fee revenues for the bureau over the past year. By the middle of October 2009, the staffing level at BDS will have been reduced by approximately 50% due to the economic crisis.

These staffing reductions have necessitated changes to the current level of service in the permit inspection program. This update focuses on the changes to the permit inspection programs aimed at assisting our inspectors in providing the highest possible level of service to our customers. Following is a brief summary of the most significant changes to Inspections Program during this interim time:

• Suspension of two-hour time certain inspection requests.
• Required “bundling” of related inspection requests.
• Ranked Inspections with the highest priority going to fire and life safety, structural integrity and neighborhood livability. Some lower priority inspections will be suspended, such as “consultation” inspections, until further notice.
• Re-inspection fees, to ensure cost recovery, will be charged as allowed per code and as deemed appropriate.

The following link will take you to a detailed list of the changes: http://www.portlandonline.com/bds/index.cfm?a=264523, or you can visit our website at: http://www.portlandonline.com/bds. These changes will go into effect October 1, 2009.

“I realize that these changes may cause some inconvenience to our customers,” said Paul Scarlett, Bureau Director, “but we will monitor closely and make adjustments where and when necessary to maximize our resources during this challenging time.”

Permit inspections will continue to be performed five days a week. The automated Interactive Voice Request (IVR) procedure remains unchanged. The inspection division recommends walk-in customers call for an appointment if they need to meet with permit inspections staff.

If you have questions about the bureau’s permit inspection services please contact Inspections Manager Jim Nicks at (503) 823-1054.

Oregon Remodelers Association/NARI presents the 34th Annual Home Improvement Show™ September 24th through September 27th, 2009, at the Oregon Convention Center. The largest show of its kind on the West Coast featuring the latest trends, the newest products and expert advice for remodeling, new construction and home improvement.

Please join us on September 24th – 27th at the Oregon Convention Center at Bureau of Development Services Booth #2813.

CLICK HERE to print a $2.00 coupon good towards entry to the Home Improvement Show™.

For more information visit http://www.oregonremodelers.com/.

News - Plans Examiner (September/October 2009) - a bi-monthly publication to inform the building-design and construction community about development procedures, policies, procedures and events affecting their work with the City of Portland. Archived Issues.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 21, 2009

Contact: Ross Caron, Bureau of Development Services 503.823.4268

(Portland, OR) The Bureau of Development Services announced today that the Development Services Center (DSC) will be closed on Mondays, effective August 31, 2009. The DSC hours of operation will also be changing to 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM,  Tuesday through Friday, effective August 31, 2009. The DSC is located at 1900 SW 4th Ave, first floor.

These changes are in response to the continued decline of revenue and workload that the Bureau has experienced over the last 12 months and the associated staff reductions. The DSC provides customers with all the expertise and services needed to complete Portland’s permitting and land use processes. It includes building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and land use permit intake, review and issuance, as well as, permit records research for properties within the City of Portland.

“The changes to the DSC hours of operation have been made in an effort to continue to provide the most efficient, effective and predictable service to our DSC customers, while making necessary changes to address the current revenue and workload downturn,” said Paul Scarlett the Bureau Director.

Please note that Document Services located on the 2nd floor, where customers pick up approved plans, update plans and submit checksheet responses, will remain open Monday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

The Bureau of Development Services and its interagency partners will continue to provide a full range of services in the DSC Tuesday through Friday.

August 15, 2009 BDS participated with six other Bureaus in the 7th Annual Wellness Within Reach Walk. The City of Portland’s “Your Sustainable City” Outreach Group participated as a team to not only support the Coalition, but to promote the Upcoming Fix It Fairs to the community.

The African American Health Coalition puts on this fundraiser walk to help support free health education clinics and raise health awareness in the African American community. The walk was 1.5 mile or 3.0 mile walk around the delightful northeast Portland starting at Dawson Park. In addition there was a collaboration of lots of music and snacks from different vendors.

As long time participants of the Fix It Fairs our outreach team wanted to make sure that we are reaching all of the different communities to enhance the participation and diversity of the fairs attendance. Staff had on out team Fix It fair shirts and handed out Fix It fair information along the walk. We received a warm reception and a lot of people told us that they had never heard of the Fix It Fairs, which are designed to educate and assist Portland residents and their families save energy and money at home and lead healthier lives.

The upcoming Fix It Fair Dates:

• November 21 | Roosevelt High School | 6941 N Central St
• January 9 | David Douglas High School | 1001 SE 135th Ave
• January 30 | Parkrose High School | 12003 NE Shaver St

For more information on Your Sustainable City Outreach visit www.portlandonline.com/sustainability.

On August 3, 2009, the Bureau of Development Services (BDS) began accepting permit applications for the new Original Art Murals program. The Original Art Murals program allows murals to be permitted separately from sign regulations, and complements the existing Regional Arts and Culture Council’s (RACC) Public Art program. 

An Original Art Mural is defined specifically as a hand-produced work of visual art that is tiled or painted by hand directly upon, or affixed directly to an exterior wall of a building. Murals permitted under this process must stay in place without alterations for a period of at least five years, with the building owner receiving no compensation for the display of the mural.

Permits issued under this program will be reviewed using regulations contained in Title 4 (Original Art Murals) of the City Code, and the accompanying Administrative Rules. To be considered an Original Art Mural, a permit must have been issued under the Title 4 regulations. Murals that are not approved through Title 4 (or are not part of the RACC Public Art program) will be classified as signs.

For a copy of the Original Art Mural permit application, and for more information on the mural program, go to www.portlandonline.com/bds/muralpermit, or contact Kristin Cooper (503-823-7547) or Jean Hester (503-823-7783).

7/14/09: JULY 13TH HEARING: Landmarks Commission unanimously supported a motion to overturn the revised staff report and deny the proposal, primarily citing concerns regarding the proposed water tank signs (painting tank, neon lights and sign type, skyline impacts, historic character). The applicant was given the option to delete the water tank signs and potentially receive approval of the main sign, but declined. Landmarks Commission directed staff to prepare a draft decision recommending denial for their consideration at the continued hearing on July 27th, 2009 @ 1:30pm (1900 SW 4th Ave., Rm. 2500A).

• Revised Water Tank Elevations provided by Ramsay Signs at 7/13/09 hearing.

For more information, visit the Made in Oregon Sign - Historic Design Review webpage.

The Bureau of Development Services partnered with other city bureaus to provide a City of Portland resource outreach table at the fun and festive “Good In the Hood” annual event. The mission of the event is “to promote the cultural aspects of the North/Northeast Community”.

This event serves as a great venue to partners with local food vendors which includes many cultures, a KidSpace arts and crafts area for youth to enjoy, ethnic Marketplace to buy various clothing and an Information Village to hand out various information on the available programs and services the city has to offer.

“This is a great opportunity to provide the community with helpful information and enjoy lots of great music, many people and many friends,” says BDS Outreach Program Coordinator Tiffani Penson. The partnership between all of the bureaus led by Outreach Coordinator Desiree Rajee-Williams from the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability has proven to be a great way to collectively reach out to communities. We look forward to seeing “Your Sustainable City” at upcoming events around the city.

For more information visit www.portlandonline.com/sustainability.