The City of Albany Oregon has announced that it is in partnership with the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG), and is hosting a public event to discuss Climate Friendly Areas (CFAs). Albany City and OCWCOG staff will present the proposed CFAs in a May 31st meeting and have a discussion on how they overlap with any vulnerable areas. They say that anti-displacement strategies will be discussed.

Albany Climate Friendly Areas – Public Event Wednesday, May 31st at 6pm City Hall (Council Chambers) 333 Broadalbin Street SW

An online survey will be available on the project website after the meeting for another opportunity to comment. Spanish interpretation and children’s activities will be provided.

The City of Albany is saying that this is to urge some residents to consider more housing and transportation choices, in order to meet Oregon’s adopted climate goals.

The Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities state program says that the new rules require cities over 50,000 to reform parking standards, plan for mixed use “climate-friendly” areas where residents, workers, and visitors can meet most of their daily needs by walking, bicycling or riding transit, and create more equitable and accessible communities, especially for those "traditionally underserved and experiencing discrimination".

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The first phase of the process is to study and determine potential locations of climate-friendly areas by the end of 2023.

The second phase is to adopt development standards for these areas and amend the official zoning map as needed by the end of 2024.

The Climate Friendly Areas program says that "the process requires centering voices of underserved populations and working towards equitable outcomes. While some may see Climate Friendly Area designation as a benefit, others may fear gentrification-caused displacement. State standards require specific analysis of this issue and adoption of anti-displacement measures."

Those interested can contact Anne Catlin via email or via phone at (541)-917-7560.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2023-05-17 09:16:50

Last Update: 2023-05-17 10:26:11