By Susan Trabucco, CNA Media Team

Spencer Q. Parsons, an attorney who specializes in land use and other government-related law, recently opened his legal practice in Concordia’s Fox Chase area. Photo by Susan Trabucco

Stepping in the door to land use attorney Spencer Q. Parsons’ office, one gets a decidedly different vibe than that of most law offices. No dark-paneled wood or receptionist counter barring the way to casual entry here. Instead, visitors to this recently opened law office will find a smiling Parsons jumping up to greet them from within a light and airy office finished in mostly subdued and soft tones. From the washed concrete floors, natural-wood window and door trim and creamy walls to the surprising blast of candy-apple green drapes framing the many large windows, the overall effect creates an atmosphere of approachability.

A Portlander of 23 years, Parsons is a Concordia resident who lives with his family near NE 31st and Ainsworth.  His office is only a few blocks away in the Fox Chase business district of the Concordia neighborhood, located on the bottom floor of a vintage brick building that had been condo-ized for sale. His wife, Maria Los, owns the retail vintage clothing shop, Half Pint. By 2014, Half Pint outgrew the space, and Los moved the operation to North Mississippi Avenue, leaving the spot available for Parsons.  Two years of remodeling work done largely by Parsons, and the space was ready for the debut of his private practice last month.

Parsons earned his undergraduate and law degrees from University of Oregon. After graduating from law school he began practicing at the Portland firm of Beery, Elsner & Hammond and worked with many local governments, including Happy Valley, North Plains, Fairview, Hillsboro and others.  Much of this work involved land use issues. Parsons then worked as Assistant County Counsel for Columbia County, providing legal counsel to the county’s Board of Commissioners; Planning Commission; Land Use and Planning Department; Forest, Parks and Recreation Department; Road Department; and the Office of  Animal Control.

Now on his own, Parsons’ primary practice area is real estate and land use law. He works to help clients understand existing land use law – how they can – or can’t – legally address a perceived problem, and how to interpret land use law for a desired project.

“People will say they don’t like what they are seeing happen in their neighborhood, but they don’t know what, if anything they can do about it,” said Parsons.Parsons sees himself as a kind of “translator” and a liaison for clients who have to navigate a complex land use process. “I think of myself as a peace-maker. I advise my clients to tell government staff to drop the jargon and talk to them like they are an eight-year-old,” said Parsons. “My hope is to focus on the nexus between the law and land use.”

Parsons’ secondary law emphasis is working on behalf of clients who have the need to address government in any matter.

“If someone has to go before city or state government, it can be intimidating; my aim is to inform and get people through the process.”

On the government side, he might provide assistance with applications for small business contractors, the public contracting process, city permit requirements, or even barking dog problems.

Find Parsons at his office located at 5400 NE 30th Ave., Suite 106. For more information call (971) 279-2018 or visit his website, www.SQPLaw.com.

Susan Trabucco is a business communications consultant. She lives in the Beaumont Wilshire neighborhood, just a few steps from Concordia. Reach her by emailing susan@trabucco.biz or call (503) 440-7732.  

By Laura Waddick, Community Engagement Manager, Our 42nd Avenue

It was an exciting year  in 2015 for the economic development agency —Our 42nd Avenue. Small business activity by our clients and community partners was significant, with Morel Ink opening its first retail quick-printing and mailing services shop and Red Sauce Pizza launching in what was formerly Bob’s Rocket Pizza. Also, Cat Six Cycles, which sells and repairs bicycles, celebrated its second year in business!

New late last year is GO42, Our 42nd Avenue’s space for small business start-ups on the corner of 42nd and Sumner. Kristen Dilley brings Nightingale Acupuncture to the neighborhood; Inger McDowell brings With Love, From PDX; Vida Djorgee opened Essential Quality Care, and Rachel Hestmark brings Hestmark Designs. Rachel also runs a youth entrepreneurship program to teach kids concepts such as product development and marketing. Contact Rachel at hestmarkdesigns@gmail.com for more info.

In other business-related news, Our 42nd Avenue hosted business breakfasts featuring Mayor Charlie Hales and PDC Chair Tom Kelly, and 180 community members were able to connect with employers through the twice-annual Fresh Chance Career Fair, in partnership with Straight Path, Inc. Additionally, the Cully Farmers Market closed out its 4th successful season with new-neighborhood serving programs including senior volunteer vouchers, neighbor vouchers, double-matching SNAP benefits, and a pop-up library.

Early last year Our 42nd Avenue launched the Read Ahead Literacy Initiative in partnership with Rigler School, which trained and deployed 32 reading tutors across the community.

Plans for 2016 include the groundbreaking of 42nd Avenue’s first community plaza in February, a process that began in 2015 with the gathering of community input.

Also, Mulu Terefe, the neighborhood’s employment and training advisor, will be hosting job clubs and employment related workshops throughout 2016! Job seekers should contact Mulu by calling (971)722-2140.

Our 42nd Avenue is a community-driven program that ushers equitable and inclusive economic opportunities to community members, including many of the people who live in the community around 42nd Avenue. We organize activities and resources related to employment, business development, land development, and community engagement. Visit 42ave.org to learn more.