What’s really at stake here is land use. Until now, the building owners have followed code and maintained that this is a single family dwelling. Neighbors have long suspected that this is a care facility for the elderly, which is a much different use of the building. According to one neighbor, medical beds are visible in all rooms of the building. One of the adjustment applicants is currently providing senior care. From what I understand, no legal action can be taken until they are up and running as a business, then it can be disputed that they constructed this building under the auspices of a single family dwelling when really they’re running a business.

Woodlawn neighbors have until August 26th to submit written comment regarding the adjustment to the fence height code. There is no General Meeting scheduled for this month. How the written comment will be composed and sent is still being discussed. Hopefully a direct neighbor will want to be the lead person on this. If you’d like to be the person to spearhead this, please contact News//at//GoWoodlawn.com.

A copy of the proposal notice can be downloaded as a PDF here.

Based on feedback from the City of Portland’s outreach, this project will move forward for the approval of the City Traffic Engineer and the Transportation Director.

The City of Portland has indicated that the future maintenance and design of the pocket park improvement at NE 13th Avenue will require further discussions with the neighborhood.

Project information for the NE Holman Street Project:

Updated: NE Holman Street – Existing Conditions and Route – Click here.

Updated: NE Holman Street – Project Proposal and Possible Intersection Improvements – Click here.

Updated: NE Holman Street – Possible Intersection Options for 13th, 15th, 33rd and 42nd – Click here.

Updated: NE Holman Street – Crossing at Martin Luther King Jr. Option – Click here.

Updated: NE Holman – Boulevard Evaluation Goals – Click here.

This open house was a follow-up to an initial PBOT presentation about the project last month. Like they did at that first meeting, nearby residents expressed full support for the project. Cheers erupted from the standing-room only crowd when PBOT announced plans for two specific pieces of the project; the crossing of busy Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd. and plans for a “pocket park” at Holman and NE 13th.

Read the whole story on BikePortland.org

The support of the entire community is needed to make Sunday Parkways possible. Over 300 volunteers assist with project such as park set up and roving bike mechanics at each event. The greatest need is for Intersection Superheros: the essential volunteers who staff every intersection along the course for safety reasons.

There are two cool ways to get involved. If you’re thinking of just yourself or you plus friends, you may volunteer by yourself or with friends and family to throw an intersection party, decorate it, make it your own, have fun.

The other option is to bring your group (organization, cause, riding club, etc) together to host an intersection and promote your organization. You get to “own” the intersection, decorate it, promote your cause, and have fun. With 25,000 people coming right past your station, this is a great opportunity to get the word out.

Check out the schedule and plan for a summer full of fun, traffic-free Sunday Parkways events!

PortlandSundayParkways.org

Of particular note for Woodlawn is the proposal (originated by a group of neighbors who passionately wish to improve the “pocket park” at NE Holman and 13th) to use the Greenway project to slow and/or divert traffic, put in a bioswale, extend and improve the park and create a space for community and recreation.  This idea has been advocated for quite some time by the informal “Woodlawn Corner” group, and is an example of how a small group of committed citizens can bring an idea to the attention of city planners and have it incorporated into a project.  Most attendees at the meeting showed enthusiastic support for the proposal (a raise of hands was called for by the city presenters to make sure this was supported by the neighborhood) but it will still be on the table for discussion at the next meeting, so it is critical that neighbors show up and participate in the process.  Join the Woodlawn Corner google group or email Alan at strongworkarch//@//gmail.com to join, and/or come to the next potluck Wednesday April 28th at 6pm in the park.

SHOW UP!  For the next Greenways meeting on Tues May 4, 6-8pm Concordia Library Room 314.

From Woodlawn neighbor Gregg L: “I went on a Green Streets tour with the city a year and a half ago in SE. These are beautiful streets in neighborhoods and in commercial districts. They are designed to get rainwater into the ground instead of into the sewers.
This is an incredible opportunity for the city to invest money into community improvements to make Woodlawn a greener, cleaner, safer neighborhood.

Green Streets offer many benefits that sewer pipes can’t. Green Streets:
• Clean and cool air and water
• Enhance neighborhood livability
• Increase community and property values
• Enhance pedestrian and bicycle access and safety
• Protect valuable surface and groundwater resources
• Add urban green space and wildlife habitat
• Help meet regulatory requirements for pollutant reduction and watershed resource management
• Reduce stormwater in the sewer system • Save money on wastewater pumping and treatment costs
The plants absorb water and their roots help water soak into the ground. Green Streets can be attractive neighborhood amenities, and a variety of plants can provide a range of looks.”

Check out some pics:

http://www.portlandonline.com/BES/index.cfm?c=44407

http://asla.org/awards/2006/06winners/341.html

This month’s board meeting will feature a discussion of future plans for the use of the space currently occupied by Rumpspankers.  Space is limited but the meeting is open to the public. The board will be discussing taking an official stance on the use of that space. Future information will be presented at the general meeting.

Board meetings cover board planning, the budget, future planning and large projects. They are open to all neighborhood residents and people who work in the neighborhood.  General meetings take place on the third Wednesdays, same location, at 7:00pm.

Huge thanks goes to our neighborhood board, elected neighbors who give of their time to offer guidance and direction to our neighborhood.  Elections happen annually, so if you have an interest in joining the board, talk to the current board members.

Where: United Way of Oregon—619 SW 11th Avenue.
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm
Trimet: Bus lines: 15, 51 & Max Blue/Red Lines/Streetcar

If you can’t attend this hearing, there are four other convenient ways to comment.

1. You can write a letter:
Pat Mobley, Housing & Community Development Commission Chair
421 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 1100
Portland, OR 97204

2. Send an e-mail:
bryan.swisshelm@ci.portland.or.us

3. Leave a voicemail message:
503-823-2396
503-823-6868 TTY

4. Comment Online:
www.portlandonline.com/phb/conplan

Questions?
Please visit the Consolidated Plan website: www.portlandonline.com/phb/conplan for more information on this hearing. The attached flyer is available on the website in Russian, Vietnamese, and Spanish.

Sincerely,

Bryan Swisshelm

Bryan Swisshelm
City of Portland
Portland Housing Bureau

503-823-2396

The back lot of 728 NE Dekum: Once a pile of dirt and weeds but now the thriving home to Sandra Galli’s Buffalo Gardens. The transformation has brought to our neighborhood a beautiful retail garden shop with strategically placed plants that make you feel as if you’re shopping in Sandra’s backyard. The products are reasonably priced and Sandra and Farley, her black lab mix, are always on hand to answer any questions.

Also in residence is Sandra’s registered and approved rooster Sam and his harem of hens. Buffalo Gardens is a great place to bring the family to reconnect to nature. We are so fortunate to have whisked her away from the busy Alberta street location she once occupied. Be sure to stop by and say hello.