Land use

Kia Selley (linkedin)

"A passion for the built environment.." Kia Selley, most recently a development advisor with the Portland Development Commission, has been hired as the City of Gresham's new Urban Design and Planning Director.

Because of the unique combination of skills Selley brings to the job, City Manager Erik Kvarsten has also asked her to oversee the Rockwood-West Gresham Urban Renewal area.

Selley begins work June 13.

At PDC, Selley managed budget and expenditures for the Convention Center Urban Renewal Area, and provided oversight for community infrastructure, district-scale plans and real estate development projects.

A landscape architect by training, her professional background also includes comprehensive planning, development planning, development review, urban design streetscape projects, design-guideline development for transit-oriented development, permitting for complex construction projects and affordable housing.

Step-down design. Compatible?

Compatibility project’s preferred approaches Public comment is welcome

When: Tuesday Feb 8, 2011 3PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pkwy
Gresham OR
Get Map!

Event Details

The City Council will discuss the Residential Districts Review-Compatibility project’s preferred approaches at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the City Hall Conference Center. Public comment is welcome.

GRDC Advisory Committee agenda: Election of Officers, Rockwood Code Compliance Staff Report, 2011 Revenue Projections, Rockwood in Motion Update, Annual Report to GRDC, Plaza del Sol Programming Work Group Update

When: Wednesday Jan 12, 2011 7PM-9PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Oregon Trail Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Gresham OR
Get Map!

On the agenda

Click here for Wednesday night's Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) Advisory Committee meeting agenda. This link takes you to the City of Gresham webpage that has the attachments and further meeting information.

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:

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

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.

Planning Commission to discuss Development Code Improvement Project

When: Monday June 15, 2010 3PM
Where: Council Chambers
City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Parkway
Gresham, OR

The City Council will be holding a hearing on some of the topics from the 2009 Development Code Improvement Project and the 2009 Corridor Districts Review project at 3:00 PM on June 15, 2010. The hearing will be held in the Council Chambers, located at 1333 NW Eastman Parkway. You may find the staff report and proposed amendments on the City Council website. The public may provide written testimony before or at the hearing, and may provide oral testimony at the hearing.

Have a voice in the 'big box' store code development project Attend this Community Forum, April 19th 6:30PM

When: Monday, April 19, 2010 6:30PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Conference Rooms 2A/2B
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

The first community forum for this 2010 Council Work Plan project has been scheduled for Monday, April 19 at 6:30PM in Gresham City Hall Conference Rooms 2A/2B. This project is a follow-up to the October 13, 2009, Gresham City Council Policy meeting on "big box" development.

(Everyone concerned about neighborhood big-box stores is urge to attend this important meeting as attendance does make an impact. This is a meeting where folks can make a comment (under 3 minutes). Since the time limit is very set please have your thoughts planned out ahead before attending the meeting. The City Staff will also be making their presentation to the City Council on April 20, 3 to 5pm... another good chance to have a large attendance and to speak (for 3 min). Ed.)

For more information about the 'big box' project and future meeting dates please visit the city's project Web site here.

Real Estate, Mortgages, and... Used Cars too? Wilkes East mortgage broker requests permit to sell used cars at 178th & Glisan location.

Good Idea? Bad Idea?

According to City documents Interbank Mortgage Services has applied for a permit to sell used cars in addition to real estate and mortgage loans on the corner of 178th & NE Glisan. (In this slow economy the temptation to compete with the other used car lot at 163rd & NE Glisan must be too great to resist.)

A notice asking for public comment appeared February 11, 2010 in front of the proposed car lot at 17811 NE Glisan St. Get Map!. View Land Use notice here. If you object to this land use proposal you need to file your comments with the City before February 25, 2010. (See info below)

Gresham Mayor says landlord "did the right thing" "I think he heard the community.”

Mayor Shane T. Bemis announced February 10, 2010 that Jack Medak the owner of the building at l9295 E Burnside and potential landlord for a proposed methadone clinic in the Rockwood area of Gresham has decided not to lease his space for that use.

The decision comes after a contentious two-hour meeting held Thursday, Feb. 4, in the building in question at 19295 E Burnside St.

"This is a big win for the people who have been working so hard to raise the tide in Rockwood," said Bemis. "I am tremendously proud of the community for clearly articulating the potential redevelopment obstacles and law enforcement challenges that could come from an additional methadone clinic in the area." Bemis said “I am glad that Mr. Medak did not lease to them,” adding, “He did the right thing. I think he heard the community.”