As the Portland Plan nears adoption by the Portland City Council, staff are focusing more attention on the next steps for the Comprehensive Plan Update, one of ways the City will achieve the goals of a prosperous, educated, healthy and equitable Portland. Mandated by the state, the Comprehensive Plan is the key long-range plan that helps us prepare for and manage expected population and employment growth, as well as plan for major public investments to accommodate that growth. It provides direction for City decision-making on land use, transportation, sewer and water systems, and natural resource management programs, while ensuring that investments in major city systems are coordinated.

Work on the Comprehensive Plan Update will be guided by eight Policy Expert Groups (PEG) comprised of City and agency staff, as well as members of the community. The primary function of the PEGs is to advise City staff on the development of the Comprehensive Plan Update and related programs. Members will work collaboratively to develop policy recommendations.

The PEGs will be composed of approximately 12 members each. An effort will be made to have a balanced group of community members and city/agency staff members. Each PEG will have a professional facilitator and meetings will be open to the public.

Policy Expert Groups Charter and Protocols

The Policy Expert Groups will address major themes from the Portland Plan and tasks required by the Periodic Review Work Program. They will focus their work around the following goals and topic areas:

1. Community Involvement

2. Education and Youth Success

3. Economic Development

4. Residential Development and Compatibility

5. Neighborhood Centers

6. Infrastructure Equity

7. Networks

8. Watershed Health and Environment

Community Members Needed to Serve

The City is now recruiting community members to serve on the PEGs. Members of the public who have a competent understanding of a topic area and can make a significant time commitment to the PEG for the next 18 months are encouraged to apply. Applications are open until Monday, April 16, 2012, 5 p.m. (CLOSED).

For more information about the Policy Expert Groups, please contact:

Marty Stockton
Community Outreach and Information
City of Portland, Bureau of Planning & Sustainability
1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 7100
Portland, OR 97201
503-823-2041 – Fax: 503-823-7800
marty.stockton@portlandoregon.gov

For more information about the Comprehensive Plan Update, please visit www.portlandonline.com/bps/pdxcompplan