Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio announced Wednesday that the city will change its odor complaint policy, following public outcry over the current policy’s impact on some city restaurants.
The news comes a month after Northeast Portland restaurant Pho Gabo shut its doors, following multiple odor complaints that would’ve required thousands of dollars in upgrades.
The complaint process drew sharp criticism, including from the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, for the code appearing to target restaurateurs of different ethnic backgrounds, according to Willamette Week.
FILE - The grand opening of Pho Gabo restaurant in Northeast Portland on June 2, 2018. The restaurant closed its doors after receiving odor complaints.
Courtney Sherwood / OPB
Rubio initially called for a pause on odor complaints earlier this month, before announcing that changes would be coming. It’s not clear exactly when any changes could become official.
“I am very concerned and am raising serious questions about the negative impacts of this policy,” Commissioner Rubio said in a press release Wednesday. “After my staff met with the impacted business owner, it became clear that the City’s regulation and enforcement of odor issues is outdated and needs a more fair, practical, and equitable approach. My goal is to see the code changes happen as soon as possible.”
Staff from the city Bureau of Planning and Sustainability will review the history of the odor complaints enforcement before providing any recommendations, the press release states. The Planning Commission and City Council would have final say on any changes.
Odor complaints are relatively rare in Portland. The city received just 28 odor complaints during the past five years, according to city records obtained by OPB.
The majority of complaints concerned restaurants, while others focused on nail salons, auto shops and cannabis dispensaries. Less than a handful of the complaints resulted in enforcement or warnings from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, with many labeled as “unfounded.”