City of Gresham

City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & More

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• $1,000 Shopping Spree
• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
• Volunteer as a Severe Events Driver
• Residents’ Views Needed on Residential Compatibility
• City Grants Support Environmental Projects at Schools
• Join Our Resident Web Panel
• Free Grease Kits for Holiday Cooking and Beyond
• Holiday Construction Limitations in Busy Retail Districts
• Prepare Your Water Pipes Before Freezing Temperatures Arrive
• Spirit of Christmas Festivities on Saturday, November 27
• Pumpkin Tip
• Fall Leaves Tips
• $200 Rain Garden Grants Available
• Volunteer to Watch Wildlife
• Free Workshop: Learn to Ride Bus, MAX

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

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Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

188/187 realignment begins

Start Street Boulevard completes. 188th/187th Ave realign begins, open house Nov 17th 6PM. Plaza del Sol holiday event, Dec 11.

One project completes

One major Urban Renewal-funded project is successfully wrapping up and another is about to get under way in Central Rockwood. The Stark Street Boulevard project is finishing up work to Stark between 190th and 199th, with the final round of concrete work and landscape planting to be completed any day now. The project improved sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks along this important arterial street, and added new street lights and landscaping.

Another project begins

At the same time, the 187th Avenue project is about to begin, with demolition of the north part of the Rockwood Community Office building leading off work that will build a new street connection from 187th and Stark to 188th and Burnside across the east end of former Fred Meyer site (the southern portion of the building used by Gresham Police will remain as is). When it’s complete, this new street will provide a much safer direct connection between the Rockwood MAX station and the neighborhood to the south of Stark, complete with a new signal at 187th and Stark, which should reduce much of the current conflict between vehicles and pedestrians on that stretch of Stark. Construction area map.

Suzan Wells, Pres. SWNA outside abandoned QFC store 182nd/Powell. Gresham Outlook

City of Gresham "Big Box" Code nears completion UPDATE: Gresham approves big-box standards, Nov. 16

Years in the making

Five years ago the Southwest Neighborhood Association (SWNA) appealed to Gresham city leaders to create a code regulating big-box stores. Susan Wells, President of SWNA says "This is not about keeping businesses out. This is about responsible development in the City of Gresham."

Background
A few years ago the City of Gresham became mired in a three year battle when Walmart's proposed supercenter (182nd & Powell) met with fierce opposition from the local neighborhood association over issues with traffic, safety and livability. Gresham approved the 212,000 sq ft project (complete with two levels of underground parking for 900 cars) but the neighborhood, worried about traffic problems, appealed the city’s decision to the state Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) and won. A year later, Walmart proposed a store half the size; this time the city rejected the proposal, citing traffic issues. Walmart appealed to LUBA, but the application was eventually denied in part due to strong citizen opposition.

UPDATE: Gresham approves big-box standards
(Source: The Gresham Outlook, Nov 16, 2010)
Gresham city councilors unanimously approved a package of code changes, new zones and a host of design standards to a round of applause on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Read more.

An important message to our neighbors

Susan Wells, President of the Southwest Neighborhood Association has helped shape the City's new "Big Box" Retail Design and Development Standards with her continued involvement. Throughout this project Susan has emailed valuable information and insight to share with our neighbors about this important community issue.

Below is Susan's latest email:

City of Gresham Police

New service saves the City time & money Residents can now report nonemergency crimes online

Online reporting system offered by Gresham Police

Gresham Police Department is launching a new crime reporting service that will allow residents to file police reports online beginning Oct. 11. The new service will allow people to file certain reports at their convenience. These reports include:

• Vandalism (including graffiti)
• Lost property (excluding firearms and prescription medications)
• Theft from vehicles
• Theft (excluding firearms or prescription medications)
• Vandalism to a motor vehicle
• Additional property Information (supplemental information to a prior report)

Click here to File a Police Report

City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & More

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

• Filing a Police Report Just Got Easier
• Learn Conflict Styles and Communication – October 20
• Pumpkin Tip
• Fall Leaves 101
• $200 Rain Garden Grants Available
• Neighborhood Safety Forum - November 20
• Volunteer to Watch Wildlife
• A Huge Success: Prescription Drug Turn In Event
• SmartTrips Neighborhood Marketing Campaign Begins
• Last Chance to Comment on Gresham’s Bike System (Take Our Online Survey)
• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• Upcoming Workshop on Negotiation Skills – November 10
• Winter Weather Safety Tips
• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Facebook - Read more
Twitter - Read more
Subscribe to City media releases - Read more

Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

Nadaka Nature Park Click to enlarge

Nadaka Nature Park Vegetation Management Plan nears completion, disease threatens firs

Protecting a Natual Resource

In 2009 Wilkes East Neighborhood Association (WENA) applied for and received a Metro Parks & Greenspaces Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant and a grant from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) to be used towards the purchase of the adjacent 2-acre Nelson Property for use as a public park. Both Metro and EMSWCD had requirements for the master planning of the Nelson property one of which was to do a vegetation management plan.

At the WENA annual meeting in August 2010, Ric Catron, City of Gresham Parks Planner provided information about this Plan for Nadaka Nature Park. Its purpose is a balance of protection of natural areas and future park development, restoration of the site and creating diversity for native wildlife and providing passive recreation.

greshamoregon.gov

Topics: renewable energy, institutional master plan, and new use classification system

When: Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010 3PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Council Chambers
1333 NW Eastman Parkway
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

The City Council is holding a Development Code Improvement Project work session on September 21 at 3:00PM to discuss the issues and opportunities. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers, 1333 NW Eastman Parkway.

This purpose of the Development Code Improvement Project is to enhance the clarity and increase the effectiveness of the Development Code. Topics of this round include:

• Incorporating renewable energy into the Development Code
• Developing an institutional master plan process
• Reconsidering how special uses are reviewed
• Introducing a use classification system

More information on the project may be found at the project website: http://greshamoregon.gov/city/city-departments/planning-services/comprehensive-planning/template.aspx?id=5364

City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & More

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
• Community Investment Strategy: Recommendations from Metro's COO
• Gresham Takes a Look at Residential Districts
• Your Ideas Sought on Downtown Parking Changes – September 23
• Prescription Drug Turn In Event – September 25
• Transportation Safety Fair and Bike Rodeo – September 25
• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• Construction Update: Gresham Butte Hiking Trails
• Learn Conflict Styles and Communication – October 20
• Volunteer to Watch Wildlife – Training in October
• Division Street Striping and New Bike Lanes This Fall
• Finishing up Summer Paint Projects? Dispose and Recycle Leftovers in Gresham
• SmartTrips Neighborhood Marketing Campaign Begins
• Do You Like Gresham’s Biking System? Take Our Online Survey
• Reservoir Watch – Help Us Protect Your Water Supply
• Agent of Change Workshop Series
• Hands-On Rain Garden Building Offered
• Upcoming Workshop on Negotiation Skills – November 10

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Facebook - Read more
Twitter - Read more
Subscribe to City media releases - Read more

Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & More

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
• 92% Satisfaction at East Metro Mediation
• Parks Picnic on the Plaza - August 21
• Music Mondays Summer Concert Series
• Teddy Bear Parade with the Transportation Safety Fair to Follow
• Join Us Saturday for Parks Picnic on the Plaza
• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• Powell Valley Neighborhood Event – August 27
• We’re Giving Away Four Rain Gardens
• Healthy Streams Fall Happenings
• Like Gresham’s New Bike Signs? Take Our Survey
• Rockwood in Motion Construction Update
• Learn How to Travel Smart
• Volunteers Needed: Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts – September 14-19
• Legacy Healthy Kids’ Fair – September 18
• Transportation Safety Fair and Bike Rodeo – September 25
• Workshop ‘Energy and Water – Double Your Savings’ – September 30

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Facebook - Read more
Twitter - Read more
Subscribe to City media releases - Read more

Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

Have a voice in Gresham's 'Big Box' Retail Development Standards Attend this Community Forum, Aug 4th 6:30PM

When: Wednesday, Aug 4, 2010 6:30PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Oregon Trail Room
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

What's Your Opinion?

Join your neighbors for the second Retail Design and Development Standards Community Forum and help refine the City's retail design vision and discuss issues related to the project.

The purpose of this forum is to gather community input on a retail design vision, the tiered approach, refining large format retail locations and retail design standard concepts.

The meeting will include:

• Open house at 6:30PM
• Presentation and large group discussion at 6:45PM
• Small group work sessions to conclude the evening

This Council Work Plan project is creating regulations that ensure that large format retail meets the community's vision and provides high-quality design for retail and other commercial development in the arterial corridors.