Waterfront Height Headed to City Council

PORTLAND-The city’s urban renewal agency and its planning commission are at odds over what the maximum building height should be for 2.5 acres of vacant riverfront north of the Marquam Bridge that is slated for a $72-million hotel and condo development.

The Portland Development Commission owns the land but has a $3.6-million disposition and development agreement that involves developers Homer Williams, John Carroll and Gordon Sondland. The PDC is seeking an increase in the maximum building height to 200 feet from between 125 feet and 150 feet.

The PDC and the developers argue that the increase in maximum height would result in taller, thinner buildings that wouldn’t block views and would allow for more open space and, therefore, better public access to the waterfront. As well, the urban renewal project would generate tax increment revenue that could be used to pay for infrastructure improvements and encourage more redevelopment of the heretofore industrial riverfront.