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A new 39-unit apartment building is planned for Multnomah Village – Page 4 Local artist Lux Jacques has opened Fly Haberdashery in the French Quarter – Page 6 EarthTalk: The 40 percent of a Americans who live in coastal areas are at most risk of financial loss – Page 7 The Southwest Portland Post Volume No. 26 Issue No. 3 www.swportlandpost.com Portland, Oregon Complimentary January 2018 Residential Infill Project to add duplexes and triplexes to single-family housing By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post According to city planners, there is a need to house roughly 40 percent more people than live here today by 2035. That is approximately 250,000 residents. For that reason, planners are looking at how single-dwelling neighborhoods can accommodate some of that growth. In response to community concerns about demolitions, the scale of new homes, and the supply of housing in Portland, the city’s Residential Infill Project is updating the city’s single- dwelling zoning rules in order to meet the changing housing needs of current and future residents. The Residential Infill Project also addresses additional housing op- portunities such as duplexes and tri- plexes and tiny houses on narrow lots. However, according to Martie Sucec, chair of the Multnomah Neigh- borhood Association, the 2035 Port- land Comprehensive Plan states there is more than enough capacity under the current zoning to handle the housing growth projected for the next 20 years. “There is no need for this dramatic infill,” Sucec said referring to a map produced by the city that shows areas affected near Multnomah Village and West Portland. As part of the comprehensive plan, the city’s website acknowledged ad- equate land supply to meet its 20-year housing needs. The challenge lies in providing a diverse range of unit types and prices in locations that help meet the needs of all, including low-income popu- lations, communities of color, and people of all ages and abilities. At a recent Southwest Land Use Committee meeting, Jim Peterson, Multnomah land use chair, ques- tioned city officials how their map was being incorporated in Multnomah. “This map looks like the blueprint for the “a” overlay which seems very counterproductive and will only lead to gentrification,” Peterson said. Where one old house used to rest on a large lot, it was demolished and now two houses near completion. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) The intent of the “a” overlay zone is to allow increased density for devel- opment that meets additional design compatibility requirements. “Staff avoided the question,” Peter- son said. “We had asked that Morgan Tracy, project manager, attend a future neighborhood meeting.” According to Sandra Wood, a super- (Continued on Page 3) City managers give 30 percent design review to Multnomah subcommittee Highway Project. Steve Szigethy, project manager for the Portland Bureau of Transportation along with Ruben Gonzales-Baird By Erik Vidstrand and Becky Tillson, project manag- The Southwest Portland Post ers for the Bureau of Environmental Services, presented the 30 percent A couple of days before Thanksgiv- design. ing, the Multnomah Neighborhood “You are encouraged to review the Association’s Capitol Highway Sub- 25-page plan and share your feedback committee assembled to glimpse the with Steve,” said Chris Lyons, chair city’s latest rendition of the Capitol of the subcommittee. “In the coming months, PBOT will be meeting one-on-one with im- pacted homeowners. If you live along Capitol Highway, please check with your neighbors to ensure that they are plugged into this proj- ect.” Szigethy said that all plans are estimates and that 60 percent design will be available in April 2018, and 100 percent by summer. A member asked how this committee could be useful during the design process. “This subcommit- tee will be briefed at each design review,” Szigethy said. “We plan to hold another open house at 90 percent re- The Capitol Highway Project design map is unveiled view.” “To schedule a visit at an open house sponsored by the Portland bureaus of by the city from now transportation and environmental services. until the end of Febru- (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) CAPITOL HIGHWAY PROJECT ary, please contact David Backes at david.backes@portlandoregon.gov or call (503) 823-5811.” Szigethy then presented various design components. The first in- cluded a continuous sidewalk on the east side of the road. “Community feedback revealed a preference for the east side of the roadway because people walk there today on an informal pathway,” said Szigethy. There will be a protected bike lane on this same side of the road and will be separated from the roadway by a curb and planter strip. A multi-use path will line the west side of the road. “This decision was based on costs and property impacts on the steeper west side of the roadway,” Szigethy said. “PBOT is working with TriMet to consolidate stop locations for the #44 bus and to improve pedestrian crossings at those locations.” There will be small pockets of on- street parking where properties have no other option for vehicle parking. These areas are located north of SW Alice Street on the east side of the roadway. “This design is intended to reduce impacts to property frontages and mature, healthy trees,” said Szigethy. There were concerns about tree removal. Szigethy responded that some trees will be removed due to right-of-way issues but new ones will be planted. Urban foresters surveyed trees and were not concerned about certain older trees full of ivy and said they would not touch the older firs. “We hope to award a [construction] contract in January 2019,” Szigethy said. “Tree cutting and utilities would begin by spring of 2019.” A number of safety improvements will include flashing beacons for crosswalks and improved bus stops. “There won’t be pocket stops (where buses pull off the main road),” Szigethy said, “but this way traffic will have to slow down.” Lyons announced that the transpor- tation bureau would be requesting (Continued on Page 6) Subscribe to The Post and help us keep the presses rolling! Form on Page 2. The Southwest Portland Post 4207 SE Woodstock Blvd #509 Portland, OR 97206
