02/29/2016
Middle Housing and Comp Plan Update
At our monthly board meeting on 2/17, we discussed updates to Portland's Comprehensive Plan. In particular, we talked about the City's new plan to create additional zoning that would allow for "middle housing" to be built. You can find more information in a powerpoint our Land Use volunteer, Nate Young, compiled here (Thanks, Nate!):
Based upon input from neighbors, the Arbor Lodge Board agreed to write a letter to City Council and Bureaus of Planning and Sustainability as well as Development Services stating our concerns about a middle housing proposal. The letter was sent today, and can be read here.
Comprehensive Plan Timeline
The city's hub for information on the Comp Plan is here. You can search for calendars, policy documents and more.
City Council will continue to meet during work sessions to make amendments and discuss policies and maps in more detail. Then, on April 14th (6-9p) and April 20th (2-5p), there will be public hearings for all Portlanders to come and testify, especially on any new amendments. Council will vote to approve the amendments on April 28th.
On another, but similar note, there will also soon be public hearings on some of the 'implementing' projects. This is where Zoning (as opposed to Comp Plan/land use designations) will be discussed. These zones will be reviewed with the Planning and Sustainability Commission. Both the Residential/Open Space and Mixed Use Zones maps and reports will be released early to mid March. On April 12th and April 26th, there will be public hearings on the Residential/Open Space maps. On May 10th, there will be a public hearing on the Mixed Use Zones map.
Questions?
If you have questions or concerns, Arbor Lodge's BPS district liaison Leslie Lum will be at the St. Johns Community Center, 8427 N Central on March 29th, from 5-7p to answer any questions. Please stop by or contact her at leslie.lum@portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-7896.
02/25/2016
Information about the Gas Tax
At last week's meeting, our board voted to endorse a proposed gas tax on the upcoming ballot that would fund safety and road improvements across Portland.
Learn more about the proposed tax here: http://www.fixourstreetsportland.com/
Fix Our Streets Campaign Manager Aaron Brown also provided the following information as follow-up to some questions raised during the meeting. In regards to the question of whether TriMet will have to pay this tax: TriMet will be exempt from paying this tax. In regards to whether the tax will fund improvements along N Lombard, he hasn't found any more information about funding for N Lombard. However, here is the full list of projects that would be funded via the revenue generated by the tax: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/558947
02/20/2016
Seeking - Tree Pruning Experts and Newbies
Our street trees filter air and water and provide shade to cool the neighborhood on hot summer days. We're gearing up for a Young Street Tree Pruning Day in Arbor Lodge and would love your help keeping our trees healthy!
No experience necessary - we will have a certified arborist on hand to teach proper technique. Have fun, grow your green thumb and make a difference in our Arbor Lodge Urban Forest!
Details:Saturday, March 58:30am-noon (8:30 registration, pruning demonstration at 9, 10-noon pruning in teams throughout the neighborhood)Meet at Arbor Lodge ParkN Delaware and Bryant
RSVP here: http://tinyurl.com/arborlodgeprune
**As part of this event, we also will pay pick-up drivers who are willing to pick up debris and drive it over to Delta Park! Contact Patrick.Key@portlandoregon.gov with questions and for more information.
02/16/2016
This Thursday: Do we endorse the gas tax? Re-zoning parts of the neighborhood for higher density, and more!
Draft Agenda for our Thursday, February 18 Meeting
Historic Kenton Firehouse, 6:30-8PM
Everyone is invited! Please join us if you're curious/interested/passionate/just want to see what your neighbors are talking about, etc.
6:30 Welcome and introductions, add any new items to agenda
6:35 Celebrate North Portland announcement
6:40 Aaron Brown of Fix Our Streets Portland seeks endorsement of proposed 10 cent per gallon gas tax for streets and traffic safety
7:00 Leslie Lum, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability Planner on proposed change in zoning in r2.5 to r 2 between Lombard and Buffalo, west of Denver see p.3
7:15 Letter of Agreement on receiving North Portland Neighborhood Services community-building grant for Arbor Lodge Park and Harper's Playground to keep these area pesticide and herbicide free.
7:25 Kenton/Arbor Lodge Cleanup Day - announcement of date and graffiti cleanup
7:35 United Neighborhoods for Reform seeks support for proposal on Deconstruction of Houses. Deconstruction grant program, how to apply
7:40 Homeless Camps - Proposed City policies and actions
7:50 Willamette Superfund Cleanup - Representative from Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group
8:00 Close, soliciting suggestions for next meeting (considering inviting Oregonians Against the Death Penalty) and Pie eating
02/12/2016
Save the Date: Parks and Clean Water thru Art April 6
Gain a deeper understanding about how North Portland Parks and Open Spaces intersect and interact with all of the water (Willamette River, Columbia River, Columbia Slough, etc.) surrounding North Portland, during an evening of information sharing and artistic expression.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Environmental Protection Agency, the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Willamette River Keeper, and many more will present information on the intersection of clean water, parks and art. Pacific Northwest College of Art will showcase some art that helps us change our thinking and behavior about clean water and all others will be talking about how we can advocate for clean water as we advocate for North Portland Parks.
Free and open to the public!
April 6th, 6:30 - 8:30
Kenton FireHouse.
Here is a link to the 2013 collaboration between PNCA and NOAA that got this started.
http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/education/pnca_water_quality.html