SMILE – Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League

Here are proposals we’re working on this month:

5714 SE 15th Ave. This is the property proposed for subdivision into 4 very small lots.  The Bureau of Development Services approved the subdivision with a few conditions.  SMILE appealed the decision and testified in opposition to the proposal at a hearing on March 4, 2010.  We expect a final decision from the City Hearings Officer by the end of the month.

8220 SE 21st Avenue, and adjacent Right of Way in SE Umatilla, SE Tenino, and SE 21st Avenue. The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services proposes a stream and riparian enhancement project located on Crystal Springs Creek in southeast Portland between SE Tenino and Umatilla at SE 21st Ave.   The Culvert Replacement project will replace three culverts on Crystal Springs Creek.  We have received one suggestion from a nearby property owner for the replacement of the culvert at SE 21st and Tenino which we believe the City should consider.  However, we generally support the project and do not plan to formally object to the proposal.  Comments are due by March 9, 2010.

1724 SE Tenino Street. The Portland Housing Authority is seeking Design Review approval for a proposal to replace six new panel antennas with similarly sized ones, and add small non-transmitting (diplexer) units to each installation.  All equipment will be painted to match the building.  Review is required because the site is within a Design Overlay zone.  We not plan to object to this proposal.  Comments are due by March 26, 2010.

Trimet has proposed more service cuts to fill its most recent budget gap. The proposed service cuts would affect the #70 and the #19 in our neighborhood. We would like to make some suggestions to Trimet for ways to fund the gap without more service cuts and show Trimet why more cuts to our neighborhood service in particular would be inequitable and bad for jobs and businesses. We need to put together a letter for the March 17 SMILE Board Meeting and also prepare for the Trimet hearings on April 7 in addition to taking any other actions we can think of. If you would like to work on this together, please contact Elayne Janiak Email: kvoiles@gci.net Tel: 503-206-7873. A lot of effort has gone in to fighting other recent service cuts, but we must keep trying.

Please join us for the General Membership meeting this Wednesday.  Our main focus will be an overview of the Portland Plan by the City of Portland, including a discussion of our Neighborhood Plan and modifications, or improvements to that plan.

Agenda items:

Please join us for the Sellwood Moreland Improvement League board meeting.  Agenda includes:

7:30                        Pass the Minutes

7:35                        Sustainability – Sellwood Discussion, topics for Board consideration, P Krain

8:25                        Sellwood Community Center Update – Lead Paint

Tri Met – Light rail Update

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Title: Sam Adams Green Drinks
Location: Muddy Rudder
Link out: Click here
Description: Mayor Sam Adams will be joining the Sustainable Sellwood Community at Green Drinks! We\’ll be discussing bike boulevards and other entertaining initiatives!
Start Time: 06:00
Date: 2010-05-05

Title: Sustainable Sellwood Meeting
Location: Blue Kangaroo
Description: Sustainable Sellwood Community Meeting to exchange ideas and visions for creating a positive lifestyle and neighborhood.
Start Time: 08:30
Date: 2010-02-10

There will be a Special SMILE Board meeting this Monday at the SMILE station.  The sole agenda item is:  Landuse Appeal for 5714 SE 15th Avenue.

Neighbors please join us for the General Membership meeting this Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010 at 730p SMILE station.  Specific topics include:

Neighbors from Eastmoreland, Reid, Westmoreland and Sellwood gathered at Eastmoreland golf course Thursday January 28, 2010 to discuss Bus Stop Options for the Bybee Street station for the Portland Milwaukie Light Rail Station.   Specific topics discussed:

• Option of bus pullouts on the bridge are back on table.  Meeting focused on different bus pullout options, including long pullout and short pullout.
• Environmental concerns.  Strict interpretation of NEPA rules originally pushed TriMet to remove the bus pullout.  Thanks to Mat Milenbach educating Trimet on NEPA, Trimet looking to explore other mitigating items
• SMILE and East Moreland Neighborhood Association strongly advocated for solution that allows bus pullout
• Interesting stat:  Peak hour traffic 3500 cars in one direction.  ADA says average time for person in wheelchair to exit / enter is 90 seconds.  That would push back 1200 feet according to a neighbor.  Approx 85 cars/
• Aesthetic issues and environmental issues need to be resolved.
• Neighbors seemed to agree that having a dual sided widening extension would both service bus stops on each side, as well as increase size for safety, including bike access
• Unanimity of concern to Tri Met:  Dont have a bus stop without pull out.  impact to traffic would be terrible, as well as life safety concerns.
• Trimet listened and is taking the feedback back to the drawing board to both clarify environmental impact, discuss budget impact and other items.

Here are proposals we’re working on this month.

Greenway Goal Exception to Accommodate the Sellwood Bridge. Multnomah County is requesting a Greenway Goal exception to allow the placement of fill to support bridge on-ramps in the Greenway Setback (considered a non river-related / non river- dependent development) within the Greenway overlay zone.  The project is located for the most part of the west side of the river so, while it does not directly affect any Sellwood neighborhoods, the visual impact will be visible form our side of the river.  There will be a hearing on this proposal on February 1, 2010 as specified in the notice.

1126 SE Sellwood Blvd. The owners of this property have proposed to remodel their house which will involvement encroachment on the setbacks along all three property lines (the property is triangular shaped).  SMILE objected to the proposal as did several of the immediate neighbors.  In response to our comments, the applicants have revised their remodeling plan and met with the neighbors.  SMILE is considering whether to further comment on this proposal.

SE 16th Ave. between SE Claibourne and SE Glenwood Streets. We have received a pre-application notice that the owners of this property intend to apply for a building permit to construct a 20 unit townhouse development on the site.  There will be a neighborhood contact meeting at the SMILE Station at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19 to ask questions about the proposal.

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