Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Category Archives: Land Use & Transportation

Forth Annual Neighborhood-Business Collaborative Graffiti Cleanups

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation, Volunteer Opportunities

The City of Portland Graffiti Abatement program will sponsor eight (8) Saturday morning graffiti cleanups between March and October 2009. Interested neighborhoods/business associations should contact Graffiti Abatement Coordinator as soon as possible to be considered as a cleanup site.

Beginning in March, the cleanups will be held one Saturday each month from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and will be a combined effort by City-contracted graffiti removal crews, and a minimum of 10 volunteers from the community. Be a part of the solution!

Prior to the cleanup date, residents/businesses will be asked to survey their area and compile a list of sites that have been vandalized by graffiti and then to submit the list to Graffiti Abatement Coordinator at least a week ahead of the event.

The contractor-crews will focus on paint-out or power-wash removals from private properties (provided we have signed owner-permission prior to the event). Volunteers will remove graffiti from properties “in the right-of-way”, including utility poles, dumpsters, newspaper boxes, and other sites that are not routinely cleaned by agencies or owners. Previous years collaborative events have resulted in more than 1000 sites cleaned in a “season”.

Supplies will be provided by the Graffiti Abatement Program. Volunteers must sign a volunteer agreement and application form, available at the Graffiti Program webpage: http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=32420

For additional information click here.

A New Way to Report Aircraft Noise

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation

CNA has recently met with the Port of Portland’s Noise Management team to discuss concerns about the safety of increase F-15 travel over nearby residential areas as part of their present “test”. One outcome of those discussions has been a reminder that anytime – day or night – any resident has a concern about aircraft noise of any kind can call the Port of Portland’s noise hotline: 503-460-4100. But now you can also report your concerns – and view flight patterns – on-line using WebTrak.

WebTrak is an online flight tracking system covering the greater Portland/Vancouver area. WebTrak offers a wealth of information about each flight, ranging from altitude and direction to aircraft type and airline to flight or tail number. For security purposes, the system is delayed 90 minutes and does not show government, military or law enforcement flights.

I took WebTrak for a whirl. You pick a location and time period and then you watch plane icons move across an area map. Basically this gives you the option to clearly identify the flight that was causing you grief and you can report the problem using an on-line form in WebTrak. Try it out yourself by logging on at http://www.portofportland.com/Noise_Mgmt_Home.aspx, you definitely need a high speed connection to use it.

WebTrak is a neat tool but it is a little clunky and if you are experiencing a noise problem, you have to wait at least 90 minutes to identify the issue using WebTrak. It remains easier and quicker to just call the Port at 503-460-4100 when you hear a wayward and/or loud aircraft.

When you call the Port or submit a report on-line via WebTrak, the Port noise management team is required to thoroughly investigate and respond within 48 hours. In some cases, the information provided by citizens or obtained during the investigation, is used to refine the noise abatement program and in discussions with aircraft operators.

Portland International Airport Open House

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation

The Port of Portland invites you to attend one of the following events to
learn more about the North Runway Extension and South Runway Rehabilitation.

Draft Environmental Assessment.
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008
5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Brief presentation at 6 p.m.
Meeks High School, 4039 NE Alberta Court, Portland, OR 97211

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008
5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Brief presentation at 6 p.m.
Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5th, Vancouver, WA 98661
Refreshments provided.

The Port will provide an opportunity for written or verbal comments about the Draft Environmental Assessment.

Related Links:
North Runway Extension
Contact:
Dennis Sandstrom, Community Affairs, 503.944.7151
· PO Box 3529 · Portland, OR97208 · 503.944.7000

New Cell Tower Regs Go to Council 12/4

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation

UPDATE: This has been moved to 12/4 at 2:30 pm

From David Soloos, Assistant Director, Office of Cable and Franchise Management, City of Portland, Oregon:

On Wednesday, November 26, 2008 December 4 at 2:30 pm, city staff will be going to Council with the final proposed amendments regarding the manner in which wireless companies may place antennae on utility poles, and replace utility poles with taller ones for wireless purposes.

The proposed amendments are designed to balance the need to retain neighborhood character and livability with the expanding need to provide wireless services in neighborhoods. They were developed over the course of two years. Staff conducted three public forums in March, 2008, followed by an online survey in April-May, 2008 (that was responded to by over 900 people, and over 350 individual comments were also received), followed by a citywide public meeting in October, 2008.

In short, staff is proposing to allow antennae on utility poles in residential areas on residential streets only as a last resort – when no other site or combination of sites for antennae is feasible. Even then, staff proposes to reduce the allowed pole replacement height in residential zones, and increase the replacement height allowance in both commercial, employment and industrial zones and on larger arterial streets to encourage placement there instead. In addition, the poles and equipment must be the smallest possible and must be painted to match the color of the pole. Finally, when a taller pole is proposed in a residential area, we will require the wireless carrier to conduct a meeting in coordination with the neighborhood association and provide notice of the meeting in advance.

We have placed several documents on our website to demonstrate and describe what we are proposing. Each document is numbered, titled and described for ease of reference. The document list can be viewed at http://www.portlandonline.com/cable/index.cfm?c=46289. Examples of specific documents include:

* A summary of the existing requirements, document #15

* A summary of the proposed requirements, document #20

* A comparison of current and proposed pole replacement heights, document #19

* The proposed contract amendment showing the exact edits to the contract language (“redline”), document #17

* A clean version of the proposed contract amendment, document #18

* A new application checklist the wireless carriers must fill out, document #16

* Several other documents, including the survey instrument, summarized survey results and specific survey results, are also on the website.

We encourage you to review these materials and forward this notice to anyone you know who might be interested.
For more information please contact Melvin Riddick at 503-823-0066 or Melvin.Riddick@ci.portland.or.us. If Melvin is unavailable please contact me using my contact information below. Thank you very much,

David Soloos, Assistant Director
Office of Cable and Franchise Management
City of Portland, Oregon
1120 SW 5th Av, Room 1305
Portland, Oregon 97204
Tel 503.823.5359

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 503-823-2036 or 503-823-4000 with such requests.

Airport Futures October Update

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation

Airport Futures is currently half way through its the planning process. Between now and June 2009, the project’s subcommittees will draft three major products:

  • A 2010 Master Plan for PDX
  • A Land Use Plan for the area around the airport
  • An ongoing public engagement process to ensure continued public participation in planning at PDX

    • You- the noble public – are encouraged to join the drafting process, either by attending the larger Planning Advisory Group meetings or joining one of the project’s subcommittees. Public review of the draft products will begin summer 2009.


    Here is the latest update on this project from the Port.

    Why is this important? Because this is a key conduit for shaping how the Port of Portland is going to develop. The Port is presently sitting on hundreds of undeveloped acres and, as indicated by the on-going issues surrounding rezoning Colwood National Golf Course, they would like to add even more that that mix.

    NECN is represented on this project’s Planning Advisory Group by Patrick Metzger and Denny Stoecklin. However, they always welcome more support and input from local residents and businesses.

    It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane…yeah, that is a plane…

    Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation

    That is the sound and sight of F-15 fighter jets roaring over the neighborhood at low altitudes. The Oregon Air National Guard has been practicing combat-style landing patterns in the area as a “test”. Typically, these drills have been practiced outside of residential areas. However, the National Guard is hoping to make the practice of military maneuvers over local residential areas a permanent fixture.

    Let me repeat that, although NO public outreach or notification regarding this “test” of military combat training over residential areas occurred, what you are hearing and seeing now could become a permanent experience.

    The present “test” will proceed until the end of February, then the Port of Portland will decide whether to allow this to continue ad infinitum or not.

    The Cully Association of Neighbors (CAN) has come out formally against this making this testing permanent because of the noise and safety concerns. The Concordia Neighborhood Association intends to take a formal position on this issue at its December Board meeting.

    However individual residents and businesses are free to voice their concern about low-level military maneuvers in the area IMMEDIATELY by contacting the Airport Noise Complaint line at 503-460-4100 and/or sending a letter to the Jason Schwartz, Noise Program Manager PO Box 3529, Portland. OR 97208.

    As always, it never hurts to also contact the Portland City Council about your concerns. We will keep you posted on this issue in the Concordia News and at concordiapdx.org.

    Colwood Decision Appealed

    Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation

    The City Council finalized its decision on the proposed rezoning of the Colwood Golf Course at its October 22 meeting. The Council voted unanimously to deny the request to rezone Colwood Golf Course from open space to industrial.

    In its exhaustive findings on the matter, the Council underscored the conclusion that any potential economic benefits of converting Colwood to industrial would not outweigh the negative impacts on the City’s environmental and open space policies.

    Despite the Council’s final decision on this matter, it ain’t over ’til its over. The landowners are exercising their right to appeal the City’s decision to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).

    LUBA is a state-level body that hears and rules on appeals of land use decisions made by local governments. LUBA’s rules are very formal and the body operates like a court. LUBA is the only forum that can hear appeals of local land use decisions. LUBA consists of three Board members who are appointed by the Governor. All the Board members are attorneys with an expertise in land use planning law.

    The LUBA review and hearing process could take up to three months. Their decision could take a variety of forms including affirming the City’s decision, rejecting it, or send the decision back to the City for further consideration.

    CNA maintains its position opposing the rezoning of Colwood and this opposition and the evidence supporting it is part of the record that will be reviewed by LUBA.

    We will continue to provide updates on the Colwood decision process in the Concordia News and at concordiapdx.org.

    Council’s Final Decision: Keep Colwood Green

    Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation

    The Portland City Council reaffirmed its earlier tentative vote and formally rejected the comprehensive plan amendment that would’ve rezoned most of Colwood National Golf Course from open space to industrial on October 22.

    What’s next? Although this is the City’s final decision on this matter, the applicant may still appeal the decision to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), within 21 days of the date of decision.

    Sign-Up for Friends of Trees Concordia Tree Planting!

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

    WHY GET A TREE?
    •Trees increase the value of a home up to 21% more than the same house without trees
    • Trees can keep a home up to 20° cooler in the summer
    • Trees improve air quality
    •“Green Streets” have lower crime rates
    • Trees provide privacy and help muffle noise

    WHAT WILL I GET?
    Your choice of a City-approved tree for your planting strip for $40 or yard for $70 per tree! All participants are asked to help plant trees on planting day, or volunteer in some other capacity. You will get a tree between 1.25 and 2 inches in diameter [6-14 feet tall!].

    Visit http://www.friendsoftrees.org to create an account online and search the neighborhood tree database for more information!

    Deadline to create an online account: December 22, 2009
    Questions: contact Jordan at (503) 522-1561, concordiatrees@yahoo.com

    Keep Colwood Green Responds to Recent Editorials

    Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation

    Although retaining open space zoning for Colwood was unanimously supported by the Council in a tentative vote on 9/17, keeping Colwood Green is not a sure thing. Some fuel for the rezoning fire was recently provided by the Oregonian and Portland Tribune editorial boards. Both penned editorials that call the Council’s 9/17 decision to keep Colwood green into question.

    At their core, these editorials assume that all assertions of economic development made by proponents to rezone the area should be taken at face value and not be subjected to any critical review or challenge. Further, both editorials imply that the decisions of the both the Hearings Officer and the Council are primarily based on politics. It is hard imagine from where these conclusions are drawn.

    The Hearings Officer is not an elected official and his review of the evidence is required to be impartial. The Council decision on Comprehensive Plan Amendments is quasi-judicial in nature and must be based on the evidence; and it isn’t too hard to come up with examples where the Council has soundly rejected the preference of neighborhoods in its decisions.

    The fact of the matter is that both decisions were clearly reflective of the available evidence; the case to rezone Colwood does not hold up to close scrutiny.

    Formal rebuttals to these editorials have been submitted to the Oregonian and Tribune. Any decision to publish them in whole or in part is up to the editors of those papers.

    In light of this, we are posting both rebuttals here so that they are available for public review and consideration:

    keep-colwood-green-response-to-tribune.pdf

    keep-colwood-green-response-to-oregonian.pdf