Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Category Archives: Land Use & Transportation

Bureau of Development Services Implements Tall Grass and Weed Complaint Pilot Project

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Effective July 19, 2010. In an effort to provide the highest level of service, while maximizing limited resources, the Bureau of Development Services has created a pilot project for the summer that allows citizens to submit online complaints accompanied with a digital photograph of tall grass and weed violations at properties within the City of Portland.

Title 29 of Portland City Code requires the owner of any property to cut and remove, and keep cut and removed all weeds, and grass that are located in lawn areas and have a prevailing height of more than 10 inches. In October 2009, BDS was forced to prioritize various enforcement/complaint types in order to effectively process the most critical cases with reduced resources. Unfortunately, limited resources have not allowed BDS to respond to tall grass and weed complaints.

Even though tall grass and weed conditions have been deemed a lower priority, I do understand the importance of the outdoor maintenance regulations as they relate to increased vandalism, graffiti, and other conditions that can lead to neighborhood deterioration said Paul Scarlett, Bureau of Development Services Director. While BDS enforcement resources remain limited at this time, we are very excited to create this opportunity to allow citizens to partner with us to address tall grass and weed violations to improve the livability and safety of our community.

To participate in the pilot project and report a property with grass and weeds in excess of 10 inches high, citizens are encouraged to submit a complaint accompanied by a digital photograph online at:

http://www.portlandonline.com/bds/gwcomplaints.

Due to limited resources, complaints may only be submitted online and must be accompanied by a digital photograph of the reported violation.

You can also get more information regarding this pilot program by visiting:

http://www.portlandonline.com/bds/gwinfo

Ross Caron, Bureau of Development Services 503.823.4268

Concordia Tree Inventory Meeting, Tuesday, July 20 at Kennedy School

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation, Trees

Tree

Tuesday, July 20
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Concordia Community Room, Kennedy School

Walking through the neighborhood, do you see too few trees and too many empty planting spaces? Lack of maintenance? Poor quality trees? Your opinions on the state of Concordia’s trees are needed.

Join the Concordia Tree Team for a tree stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, July 20 to share your concerns about the neighborhood’s trees: problems, positives, questions, and solutions.

Feedback will be used to guide a custom inventory of Concordia’s street trees, conducted by volunteers with the help of Portland Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry. Trained volunteers and staff will walk the neighborhood collecting data on tree species, size, site conditions, and available planting spaces.

Data will be used to create a neighborhood stewardship plan and guide urban forest management decisions.

Can’t attend the meeting? Take the Tree Survey here:
http://www.kwiksurveys.com?s=KLJOFM_687f494e

Columbia Crossing: What Does It Mean?

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The Columbia River Crossing. Can this $4 billion project over the 2nd biggest watershed in the US be turned into a GOOD financial, infrastructure and social investment? On March 25th, a panel of VIP experts gathered in Portland, Oregon for a frank, engaging, provocative discussion of the proposed CRC project on I-5. More fresh perspectives at pdxplore.org and af-oregon.org

Columbia Crossing: What Does It Mean? from PDXplore on Vimeo.

Irvington neighborhood families organize against Clearwire cell tower

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Events, Health and Wellness, Land Use & Transportation

Families in Irvington have joined the growing number of Portland residents opposing cell tower construction in residential neighborhoods.

Irvington residents are fighting a Clearwire proposal to replace an existing 74-foot utility pole with an installation of multiple WiMax antennas onto a 91-foot tower. The site is on Stanton Street, between NE 23rd and NE 24th, a street lined with mature trees and historic homes.

Residents and Clearwire representatives will make their case at a community meeting this Wednesday, June 9.

This is the second meeting to discuss Clearwire’s proposal. The first meeting held May 27 included a heated discussion on what has proven to be a very controversial topic. As in other neighborhoods, Clearwire did not fulfill its notification obligations under its city contract for the first meeting. Neighbors lobbied the City for a second meeting to ensure the process was followed and a larger number of residents could participate.

Irvington residents oppose this 91-foot cell tower in a completely residential, low priority location because it is:

  • Loud. Neighbors are concerned that the noise level of Clearwire’s cooling equipment, though vaulted, will pose a noise problem for the single-family homes surrounding the proposed site.
  • Unhealthy. Even the FCC, which licenses cell towers, admits they have not been proven to be safe. Studies outside the U.S. demonstrate health effects ranging from insomnia to increased cancer for people living near cell towers.
  • Ugly. A ninety-foot tower on a residential street is an eyesore and lowers property values.

Residents also wonder how this tower could affect Irvington’s proposed Historic District designation. This application is slated to be submitted to the US National Park Service for placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Residents have worked for years to have Irvington’s historical significance recognized,” says Steven Cole, father of two young children and an Irvington homeowner just 200 feet from the proposed tower. “Now we are just a couple of months away from having our 110 year old community declared a Historic Place by the National Park Service. Clearwire’s proposal to erect a 90′ tower on a residential street in the heart of Irvington is a slap in the face to our community.”

Irvington neighbors were joined by Respect PDX, a city-wide coalition advocating for the responsible placement of cell towers and other wireless facilities in Portland. Respect PDX began as a group of Beaumont Wilshire residents opposing a cell tower in their local neighborhood and has quickly grown to include members from neighborhoods around Portland. The group asserts that the system for siting and approving these facilities is inadequate and is working to protect all residential neighborhoods from the inappropriate placement of cell towers.

Clearwire has launched a major WiMax service roll out in Portland and faces opposition in a number of other Portland neighborhoods including Alameda, Beaumont Wilshire, Sunnyside, Brentwood Darlington, Arbor Lodge and Mt. Tabor. Hundreds more wireless sites are expected to be proposed by companies in the next two years. Respect PDX wants the process modified to allow residents a voice in what happens on their streets.

Wednesday, June 9 at 7pm
Westminster Church
1624 NE Hancock

Respect PDX representatives will be available for media interviews at 6.45pm outside the meeting room in Westminster Church.

For more information go to www.RespectPDX.org

Major Runway Improvements Resume May 17 at PDX

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Port of Portland

Major Runway Improvements Resume May 17 at PDX

Portland International Airport neighbors should expect some changes as the second year of a three year runway rehabilitation program resumes May 17.

The major improvements to the airport’s two primary runways will rehabilitate both the north and south runways as well as extending the north runway. The first year of the project, which occurred in 2009, rehabilitated the north runway. The second year of the project will continue with the extension of the north runway which is needed to accommodate larger aircraft that require the extra length for takeoff at PDX when the longer south runway closes for rehabilitation in 2011.

Construction activities are scheduled to conclude around mid-October 2010 and will resume in the spring of 2011 for the final year of the program. Because of varying runway closures during construction, more propeller aircraft are expected to use the airport’s north-south (crosswind) runway, meaning airport neighbors may notice a temporary change in flight patterns and aircraft noise.

Related Link:
North Runway Extension
Contacts:
Brooke Berglund, Community Affairs, 503.415.6532
Noise Management Hotline, 503.460.4100/800.938.6647

Folow PDX Noise Alerts on Twitter

Arbor Week Photography Show, Friday, April 9th, 6 pm to 8:30 pm

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Concordia Tree Team

I love trees because…

“Of their determination to live, grow, produce and harbor life” – Matthew Scoggins

“They make me feel peaceful and happy” -Betsy Valle

“Like people, they feel, grow, change with the seasons, develop their own roots, and have so much potential to branch out and become individuals” – Crystal Miller

Celebrate all the reasons we love trees at an Arbor Week Photography Show Friday, April 9th, from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Concordia Neighborhood Community Room at McMenamin’s Kennedy School, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave.

Enjoy beautiful photographs from the students of our recent class, Photographing Your Urban Forest. Meet and mingle with these budding photographers and other tree lovers including Neighborhood Tree Stewards, Concordia Tree Team members and Urban Forestry Commission members.

This is a free event sponsored by Portland Parks and Recreation with generous donations from writer, photographer and instructor Bob Langan and Pro Photo Supply. The photographs will be for sale with all proceeds going toward tree planting projects in the Concordia neighborhood.

For more information, call 503-823-4484.

Submitted By
Bob Langan
Writer, Photographer, Instructor, Neighborhood Tree Steward and
Volunteer Extraordinaire

Last Thurday on Alberta Street to be discussed at CNA general Meeting Tuesday March 2nd.

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Events, Land Use & Transportation, Local Businesses

Join us on Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:00pm at the Kennedy School Community Room to learn about the history of Last Thursday on Alberta as well as it’s future.

Special guest include: Magnus Johannesson, Coordinator of Last Thursday and Paige Coleman, Executive Director of Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN).

How Do You Want Urban Renewal Investment Dollars to Impact YOUR Neighborhood?

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Decisions will soon be made about Urban Renewal plans and money to be invested in inner North/Northeast neighborhoods.

Come voice your community needs.

Urban Renewal Area Town Hall 1: Community Truth-Telling
Wednesday, February 10th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Place: Billy Webb Elks Lodge, 6 N Tillamook St. Snacks and drinks provided
Panelists will share perspectives on how inner North/Northeast Urban Renewal Areas have historically impacted neighborhoods. Attendees will also be invited to share their own views on the history of Urban Renewal Areas. Feedback will be incorporated into a final report given to the Portland Development Commission (PDC).

Urban Renewal Area Community Forum and Planning Sessions (Two)
Saturday, February 20th, 10am – 2pm
Tuesday, February 23rd, 6pm – 9pm
Both sessions will be the same.
Billy Webb Elks Lodge, 6 N Tillamook St. Lunch or dinner provided
Learn the nuts and bolts of Urban Renewal Areas and the choices for the future of the Interstate Corridor and Oregon Convention Center URAs. Participate in work sessions to provide input into the future of the URAs and economic development in inner North and Northeast Portland. Feedback will be incorporated into the final report given to the PDC.

Urban Renewal Area Town Hall 2: Community Recommendations
Thursday, March 11th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Billy Webb Elks Lodge, 6 N Tillamook St. Snacks and drinks provided
Come hear the URA recommendations generated at the community work sessions. Provide your thoughts and additional recommendations. Feedback will be incorporated into the final report given to the PDC.

Community feedback gathered during this community meeting series will be presented to the PDCs North/Northeast Economic Development Initiative Community Advisory Committee to consider as they generate recommendations for the future of the URAs. The presentation will be given at the Committee’s Wednesday, March 24th meeting at 6pm at the Billy Webb Elks Lodge, 6 N Tillamook St.

RSVPs are encouraged. Contact Shoshana Cohen at the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods forums@necoalition.org or 503-823-4575

visit www.necoalition.org

This project was made possible in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities (OH), a statewide nonprofit organization and an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, which funds OH’s grant program.

Mayor Sam Adams & City Commissioner Amanda Fritz invite you to a community meeting about Last Thursday on Alberta

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Concordia News, Events, Land Use & Transportation, Local Businesses

Monday, February 8th, 2010
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Acadian Ballroom
1829 NE Alberta

The Mayor and Commissioner will take public testimony from stakeholders of Last Thursday on Alberta, including residents, business people, neighborhood activists, vendors, performers, and attendees.
The Mayor & Commissioner areconsidering options for Last Thursday, including:

• Continue the event as is
• Continue the event with significant changes
• End Last Thursday on Alberta

They would like to hear your opinion on these or other options.

Please attend and bring your neighbors and co-workers with you. Your opinion is important and needs to be heard!

To help ensure equal access to City programs, services and activities, the City of Portland will reasonably modify policies/procedures and provide auxiliary aids/services to persons with disabilities.
Call 503-823-9970,
TTY 503-823-6868 with such requests.

If you are unable to attend this community meeting, consider writing about your experience with Last Thursday and sending it to the Mayor and Commissioner Fritz.

Mayor Sam Adams
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 340
Portland, Oregon 97204
Phone: (503) 823-4120
E-mail: Samadams@ci.portland.or.us

Commissioner Amanda Fritz
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 220
Portland, Oregon 97204
Phone: (503) 823-3008
E-mail: amanda@ci.portland.or.us

Portland Plan to be discussed at February CNA general meeting

Posted on by Posted in Archive, CNA, Concordia News, Events, Land Use & Transportation, Volunteer Opportunities

Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:00pm at the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room

Deborah Stein from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability will be presenting the Portland Plan at the CNA general meeting on Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:00pm at the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room.

Building on the visionPDX process the Portland Plan will identify how to ensure Portland is a thriving and sustainable city for the future, with opportunity for all.

The Portland Plan is taking a variety of issues such as education, human health, civic engagement, housing, transportation and the environment. The City is also partnering with a wide range of public agencies to ensure alignment of actions and investments.

The Portland Plan will be developed over the next 12 months. The current phase of the process is looking at baseline conditions – where are we now? To view the work plan for the Portland Plan and the other phases of the project, please visit www.pdxplan.com. You can also review the draft Portland Plan Handbook and background reports as well as take a survey online.

The City will be accepting public testimony on the background reports at three upcoming Planning Commission hearings on January 26, February 9 and March 9. However, comments on the background reports will be accepted until late 2010. The public is welcome to submit comments by mail, FAX, e-mail or online. Please visit www.pdxplan.com for more information.

For more information download the latest Portland Plan brochure.