Meeting Dates
The City of Portland Planning Commission holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of most months. Meetings are open to the public. Occasionally additional special meetings may be scheduled. The agendas for all Planning Commission meetings are published in The Oregonian, Metro Section, on the Friday before the meeting. Dates for regularly scheduled meetings are listed online on the Bureau of Planning Calendar.
Meetings are held in Room 2500A at 1900 SW 4th Avenue. For further information, please contact the Planning Commission Coordinator at 503-823-7700.
Who are your Planning Commissioners?
Note: No more than two members may be engaged in the same business or profession, and no more than two members may participate principally in, or be an officer or employee of a corporation that participates principally in, the buying, selling, or developing of real estate for profit.
List of Portland Planning Commissioners who have served since 1919:
http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?c=41664&a=260580
Current Portland Planning Commission: Biographies
André Baugh joined the Planning Commission in January 2008. He currently works as a private consultant specializing in helping government and large construction managers bring diversity into their employment and contracting processes. He has helped manage both statewide and citywide ventures. André wants to help Portland take advantage of diversity in handling growth and planning for a city that will be attractive to people in 20 years.
Don Hanson joined the Planning Commission in January 2004. With a background in planning and landscape architecture, Hanson manages the Development Services Team for Otak, Inc., an engineering and architecture firm. His longtime public involvement has included service as land use chair of the Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association in the 1980s and participation on numerous citizen advisory groups for the City of Portland. Don most recently served as chair of the Planning Bureau's River Plan Committee for the North Reach of the Willamette River and as a member of PDC's Future of Urban Renewal Task Group.
Lai-Lani Ovalles joined the Planning Commission in July 2008. She works with the Native American Youth and Family Center as the Indigenous Organizing Coordinator. She coordinates Native professional development, leadership initiatives and networking events, as well as the Native Leaders Roundtable. Lai-Lani believes in the power of culture, creativity and indigenous knowledge to guide in the creation of a just and peaceful world.
Michelle Rudd joined the Planning Commission in April 2007. She serves as the Planning Commission's liaison to the Development Review Advisory Committee (DRAC). She started her career as a civil engineer, but now works as land use attorney for Stoel Rives LLP. She moved to Portland with her family after living in numerous communities while her husband was in the Navy. She appreciates Portland's abundant resources, including great neighborhoods, a university presence, the river and recreational opportunities. Michelle stresses the need to allow growth and promote economic vitality while protecting Portland's uniqueness.
Howard Shapiro joined the Planning Commission in January 2008. He came to Portland from Seattle in 1973, worked in advertising and marketing, then moved into service on numerous Boards and Commissions. In the past he served as Chair of the Housing Authority of Portland. He helped found the Albina Community Bank and now acts as the bank's Vice Chair of the Board, and he was founding Chair of Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA). Howard is a strong advocate for the arts in Portland through membership on the boards of Portland Center Stage and Caldera, a nonprofit agency supporting camps and mentorship programs for underserved youth. He also serves on the board of Rejuvenation Houseparts, a local catalog and retail company that sells period lighting and furniture. Howard considers the city on the verge of accomplishing great things and credits the City's willing public and private sectors for the City's success.
Jill Sherman joined the Planning Commission in June 2007. She works as a Development Manager for Gerding-Edlen Development Company LLC. Her background is in urban planning and real estate development. She has previously worked with the Urban Land Institute, Community Partners for Affordable Housing, and the Hispanic Access Center and recently served on the Planning Bureau's Budget Advisory Committee. Jill appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the community by applying her expertise in local and national housing and urban redevelopment policies.
Chris Smith joined the Planning Commission in August 2009. He works as Internet Technologist for Xerox Interactive Marketing and devotes his time to advocacy for transportation and neighborhood issues. He believes public involvement is the means to solve Portland's problems and looks forward to efforts to engage Portlanders citywide in the drafting of the Portland Plan.
Irma Valdez joined the Planning Commission in January 2008. Originally from Michoacan, Mexico, she most recently worked as U.S. Attorney for the Justice Department in Washington, D.C. Seven years ago, she and her husband moved to Portland because they recognized a special energy in the city. She now works as a real estate broker through Irma Valdez Properties. Irma stresses that prosperity has left many people behind and emphasizes the importance of affordable housing and transportation to creating livable and affordable communities for many people.
One vacant position.
Contact
Because Commissioners are private citizens who volunteer their time, we do not, as a matter of policy, give out their addresses or phone numbers. Their names are listed above. You may write to or contact the Commission members at:
Planning Commission
c/o Bureau of Planning
1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 7100
Portland, OR 97201-5380
503-823-7700
Fax: 503-823-7800
Email: planningcommission@ci.portland.or.us
