CFEC Walkable Design Standards

Introduction

The City of Tualatin is updating its Development Code to meet state requirements, known as the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) program. Requirements in Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 660-012-0330 (referred to as “rule 0330”) are intended to promote walkable and bike-friendly design in new residential and commercial development throughout the city by promoting pedestrian-oriented site design, connectivity, and compact development. Successful outcomes of walkable design standards would include:

• Comfortable, direct, and convenient access for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders equitably provided throughout areas, and reduced reliance on the automobile;
• Neighborhoods that are comfortable for families (people young and old), inclusive, sociable, and that offer safe, direct connections to surrounding destinations; and
• Mixed-use districts that orient activity and entrances to the pedestrian realm and that are designed for climate resilience and better health outcomes.

Background on CFEC

Oregon has set a policy and goal in law to lower greenhouse emissions by 75% by 2050. CFEC actions are a key element of Oregon’s Statewide Transportation Strategy and meeting climate goals. The CFEC program requires that communities within the Portland Metro area, like Tualatin, as well as other metropolitan areas with populations over 50,000 people, update their local land use and transportation plans to ensure community members have a variety of safe and comfortable transportation options to meet their daily needs. Reducing reliance on automobiles and increasing the walkability of the built environment are key outcomes intended to reduce climate pollution.

The Administrative Rules adopted in 2022 provide guidance to local governments on how to conduct land use and transportation planning to meet the state’s climate and equity objectives. The rules address these primary components:

1. Designate Climate-Friendly Areas – this is implemented in Tualatin through consistency with the Metro 2040 Growth Concept.
2. Parking Reform – the City adopted amendments in 2024 as Ordinance No. 1486-24.
3. Transportation System Plan (TSP) Update – anticipated Summer 2025
4. Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness – requires EV charging infrastructure with new development.
5. Walkable Design Standards – currently underway through this project.

Project Scope

The main objective of this project is to review and update the Tualatin Development Code (TDC) to ensure that the City’s standards support walkable development patterns and comply with the requirements of rule 0330. The City of Tualatin received a technical assistance grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to complete this work, and is being assisted by consulting firm MIG.

Using the requirements laid out in rule 0330, and the Walkable Design Standards Guidebook and Model Code, MIG conducted an audit of existing land use regulations in the TDC to ensure compliance with the rules and to consider code concepts for encouraging walkable urban design. The MIG team also met with community members to discuss walkability in Tualatin and to get feedback on some of the code audit findings. The next steps in the project include drafting initial and final code amendments to implement recommendations from the code audit. 

Project Timeline

This project kicked off in October of 2024 and final code amendments are expected to be completed by summer of 2025. 

Public Meetings

Council Work Session: February 10, 2025