Even people who welcomed the Metro grant to revitalize the Arch Bridge area are hollering now that they have seen what the planners came up with. Ideas for a more modest development that fit the space and enhanced the character of the nearby historic neighborhoods are threatened, if not erased completely. There is only ONE type of PLAN that comes from of Metro grant applicants - dense mixed-use development that firms a "Town Center" or "Station Community" - about the same thing except station communities are built along light rail lines (or other major transportation corridors).
Another citizen opposition group has formed. Another community is riled up. There is no secret that the region is showing growing dissatisfaction and open rebellion to the State's and Metro's Smart Growth (aka Climate Smart Communities) planning. It is a tragedy that there is no one at Metro looking out for the common man and what the public at large wants. Even with their latest survey of housing preferences, Metro has not changed course or let up on its apparent goal to see a majority of the region's population in multifamily housing.
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Portland's apartment fights are headed to the suburbs. Next stop: West Linn
Willamette Week, December 3, 2014 By Aaron Mesh
Excerpts:
Portland's clash over density from the condos and apartment blocks lining Southeast Division Street and North Williams Avenue is spilling over into the suburbs.
The next focal point: a stretch of prime waterfront in West Linn. Today, a paper mill, a gas station and ramshackle wooden apartments anchor the site, a 30-minute drive south of Portland.
But there’s growing opposition to West Linn’s plans from residents who worry that Metro’s planning agenda will turn their leafy bedroom communities into condo bunkers like those that now tower over many Portland neighborhoods.
Debate over the plan has been raging in the pages of the West Linn Tidings. A neighborhood association has called for a delay. Peggy Kirkendall has formed a new citizens’ group, West Linn Neighbors, to protest the plan.
“There’s a real pattern, especially in the western part of the United States, where we take perfectly livable places and grow them to death,” says David Dodds, a former West Linn mayor. “If you like the character of where you live, then you’re likely to not want to see it changed to something else. Otherwise you wouldn’t have moved there to begin with.”
Letters to the Editor
West Linn Tidings, December 4, 2014
Understanding Metro's playbook for land use
By Peggy Kirkendall
While perusing Metro’s website, I happened upon a 58 page document, “The Principles for Achieving Region 2040 Centers,” which basically is a playbook to achieve the growth and density goals of Metro at the expense of citizens and neighborhoods, but definitely in favor of developers: oregonmetro.gov/sites/default/files/07022002_ten_principles_for_achieving_2040_centers.pdf
They give lip service to citizen involvement while talking about taking down “barriers” which are citizen groups that want to slow down the process. The goal is to get things done quickly through unanimous support from elected officials, reducing code and zoning restrictions to attract more developers. It’s slick, cheesy and creepy.
It’s all about public-private partnerships ... the kind where the public abdicates their responsibility in favor of appeasing private developers.
Rather than going with a model based on public-private partnerships, why not consider doing an entirely public project where City Council goes after a bond measure to allow for a unique design for the historically rich area as the arch. It removes the need for office buildings, oversized residential and instead focuses on tourism drawn by a beautiful inn modeled after the one that once graced the area, small shops, enhanced access and views of the river and the falls, and a place to showcase the Indian heritage, not to mention wonderful wildlife. Forget density; focus on history, nature and tourism. Consider a national park or heritage center designation to obtain operating funds. The arch bridge is far too unique to turn it into an Orenco Station or anything even slightly close.
It’s time to think outside the box. If we need to return the grant money, so be it. It’s a small price to pay for a real gem.
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