Portland's planning commission wants to leave the door open for OMSI to build housing in the Central Eastside Industrial District, a departure from a plan approved by residents, business owners and landowners earlier this year.

The Planning & Sustainability Commission voted 5-4 Tuesday to allow housing on the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's property in the largely industrial district -- provided the nonprofit meets a rigid set of conditions drafted by city staff.

OMSI had outlined an ambitious plan for a science and learning hub in the district with the museum as its centerpiece. The plan also called for residential units to subsidize other less profitable parts of the development.

But the museum clashed with its neighbors over the issue. OMSI argued its current zoning already gave it the right to build housing under a conditional use application.

Nearby business owners argued that housing could fundamentally change the neighborhood. Friction between new residents and sometimes-noisy industrial businesses, they said, could contribute to pushing employers and middle-wage jobs out of the district.

Planning Commissioner Mike Houck agreed with that argument and opposes housing on OMSI's land. "Anything that's going to affect jobs in industrial land down there is inappropriate."

The nonprofit science museum, a regional attraction that draws roughly 1 million visitors per year, hired prominent land-use attorney Christe White to argue on its behalf.

Ultimately, the majority of planning commissioners were sympathetic to OMSI's argument: That it should retain a right it already had. And while there was agreement that the area likely wouldn't support housing today, the commissioners didn't want to rule it out in the future.

"My view is not really in support of 'let's put housing there.' My view is, let's not close the door," said Planning Commissioner Howard Shapiro. "Times change."

City planners, led by Troy Doss, said they didn't envision housing on OMSI's 18 acres of land for many reasons, namely a lack of public services such as grocery stores in the surrounding areas along with transportation issues. They argued that if it were developed, the housing property could become an island.

The 20-year blueprint for the Central Eastside is part of the larger 2035 Central City plan.

Commissioners also voted to expand the Employment Opportunity Subarea -- special zoning rules where the industrial sanctuary's protections are relaxed, allowing for a wider array of tenants -- to all industrial zoned areas in the district.

The Portland City Council has the final say on OMSI's housing issue and other facets of the proposal. A public hearing is scheduled for July 1 at 2 p.m.

-- Andrew Theen and Elliot Njus

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@cityhallwatch

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus