Development

Metro's proposed Clackamas to Columbia River connector will impact school zones and pedestrian traffic on Northeast 181st Avenue

By Mike Elston, President
North Gresham Neighborhood Association

As President of the North Gresham Neighborhood Association, I'm informed about development plans that impact our neighborhood. Recently I became aware of a Metro proposal that'll increase traffic from Clackamas to the Columbia River ("C2C"), largely by routing it down Northeast 181st /182nd. Although the scheme has apparently been in development for years, Metro and the city of Gresham are only now involving North Gresham citizens — at a point where it's nearly a done-deal.

We have a number of concerns about C2C we feel aren't being heard by Metro. We strongly believe this will have the effect of transforming 181st /182nd into another 82nd Avenue. It will certainly increase traffic, which is already a nightmare during rush hour. That, in turn, will negatively impact the three schools along its proposed route as well as pedestrian access to the MAX and to our area's one grocery store.

We're at a loss to understand how this benefits North Gresham (and maybe that's why we weren't informed about the plan until it was too late to have much impact). Metro claims it'll provide jobs, but they're temporary employment during construction and not permanent.

In our view, this only benefits the higher-income residents of Happy Valley at the expense of Gresham's north-end, lower-income neighborhoods.

Funding for the C2C would be provided by the passage of Metro bond measure M 26-218 in November, and our only chance to delay C2C and permit more time for citizen feedback is for the measure to fail.

We therefore, ask for your help. Join us in voting NO on Measure 26-218, November 3, 2020.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Wed, Oct 07, 2020 6:30PM-8:30PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom

How to attend the meeting

• Join the meeting online
  Passcode: d27q+i

• Join by phone:
  Dial: +1 346 248 7799, or +1 408 638 0968, or +1 669 900 6833, or +1 253 215 8782, or +1 312 626 6799, or +1 646 876 9923, or +1 301 715 8592
  Webinar ID: 923 2949 1035
  Passcode: 070000

How to provide testimony

• If you wish to testify during the meeting, please notify Noah Myhrum at Noah.Myhrum@GreshamOregon.gov at least 24 hours before the meeting, and please indicate, in writing, the content of your testimony.
  • Instructions pertaining to submitting verbal comments during the meeting can be found in the meeting agenda, including what to do if you have not signed up to speak prior to the meeting.
• Please submit any written comments, including photos or other evidence, at least 24 hours before the meeting.
• If you are unable to provide written comments in advance, or know that you will not be able to access the meeting via Zoom, please notify Noah Myhrum at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting so the City can provide alternate arrangements. If you experience technical difficulties accessing the meeting at the time of the meeting, please notify Noah Myhrum at Noah.Myhrum@GreshamOregon.gov.

The agenda and meeting documents for the Burnside Senior Living Optional Design Commission Consult can be accessed via ePlan. Please search 20-26000253 and select the Hearing Body folder to view the agenda and meeting documents.

The meeting agenda may also be accessed via the Design Commission webpage.

The Design Commission is the primary advising subcommittee to the City Council on design excellence for the built environment of the city. The Commission assists in the development and application of design standards and guidelines, and will conduct hearings as necessary to ensure that proposed public and private projects achieve these standards.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Mon, Oct 26, 2020 6:30PM-8:30PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom

The Planning Commission advises City Council on long-range, comprehensive planning and land use issues within the city.

For more information about this event, contact Amanda Lunsford, Administrative Analyst at 503-618-2235 or Amanda.Lunsford@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Mon, Sep 14, 2020 6:30PM- Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

The Planning Commission advises City Council on long-range, comprehensive planning and land use issues within the city.

For more information about this event, contact Amanda Lunsford, Administrative Analyst at 503-618-2235 or Amanda.Lunsford@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Tue, Sep 15, 2020 11:30AM-12:30PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom

The Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) meets as needed on the third Tuesday of the month. GRDC meetings allow necessary Urban Renewal business to be dealt with, such as advisory committee reports, bid and grant awards, budget adoption, public hearings, resolutions, project updates and policy matters.

COVID-19 emergency order meeting procedure

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, until further notice, City Hall is closed and all meetings will be held online via Zoom. The GRDC meetings will convene 30 minutes after adjournment of the 10:00 am Gresham City Council meetings on third Tuesdays. See below for meeting start time, instructions on how to access the meeting via Zoom, and how to provide oral or written testimony. Agenda materials for the meetings are posted on the GRDC web page approximately one week before the meetings.

September 15, 2020 meeting

The meeting will be held online via Zoom. The meeting start time and Instructions on how to access the meeting via Zoom will be posted here approximately one week before the meeting.

Please note:

• Persons who desire to access the meeting and are unable to access the meeting via Zoom are encouraged to notify Cecille Turley, Program Technician, by calling 503-618-2545 no later than 24 hours before the meeting start time so that the City can provide alternate arrangements.
• Citizens who desire to provide oral testimony during the meeting must register their name, e-mail address, phone number, and subject matter no later than 24 hours before the meeting start time via email to Cecille Turley, Program Technician, at Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov.
• Citizens who desire to provide written testimony for the meeting must submit their written testimony no later than 24 hours before the meeting start time via email to Cecille Turley, Program Technician at Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov to allow the testimony to be forwarded to the GRDC.

Zoom meeting access information

The Zoom meeting access options will be posted here approximately one week before the meeting.

Contact Us

For more information, contact Cecille Turley at 503-618-2545 or Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Wed, Sep 16, 2020 6:30PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

The Design Commission is the primary advising subcommittee to the City Council on design excellence for the built environment of the city. The Commission assists in the development and application of design standards and guidelines, and will conduct hearings as necessary to ensure that proposed public and private projects achieve these standards.

For more information about this event, contact Jamie Thomes, Planning Technician at 503-618-2842 or Jamie.Thomes@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Mon, Sep 28, 2020 6:30PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

The Planning Commission advises City Council on long-range, comprehensive planning and land use issues within the city.

For more information about this event, contact Amanda Lunsford, Administrative Analyst at 503-618-2235 or Amanda.Lunsford@GreshamOregon.gov.

We are reaching out to let you know about the City’s “Environmental Overlay Code and Map Update” project, which will update Gresham’s environmental protection regulations. The update is designed to continue allowing development while streamlining the process and minimizing negative impacts to our natural resources, property, public health, and public safety for the Gresham community.

Why are we reaching out to you now?

• To let you know we are changing the code and where we are in the process.
• To give you a heads-up that we will have more information and opportunity for you to give us feedback and ask questions soon (September 9th).

What does this mean for you?

• You can learn why Gresham’s natural resource areas are important.
• You can find out if your property is located in an environmental overlay area and what this means.
• You can learn about the proposed updated code and to use it to protect the community’s valuable natural resources.

How can you get involved?

• Aug 2020- Staff review of draft code
• Sep 09, 2020- Draaft code ad maps available for public reiew
• Sep 17, 2020- Public work sessions
• Oct 2020- Incorporate comments and writing reports
• Nov 23, 2020- Planning Commission
• Dec 15, 2020- City Council Hearing

Draft Code sections plus updated maps for Hillside and Natural Resource overlay areas within the City will be available for public review throughout September. In addition to public Zoom sessions, staff will be available to receive your feedback, answer questions, or provide clarifications about this project through the end of September via email at: Overlays@GreshamOregon.gov.

Property owners who fall within the environmental overlay areas will be notified of the proposed code and map changes and meeting dates by mail in September and again in late October. At that time interested parties will have the opportunity to submit formal comments until the December 15th Council Hearing.

Information about the project, including project timeline and links for engagement activities in September, can be found on the project website. Sign up to receive project updates at https://t.e2ma.net/click/8mffbc/ghow07/smg30k.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Wed, Aug 05, 2020 6:30PM-8:00PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

The Design Commission is the primary advising subcommittee to the City Council on design excellence for the built environment of the city. The Commission assists in the development and application of design standards and guidelines, and will conduct hearings as necessary to ensure that proposed public and private projects achieve these standards.

For more information about this event, contact Jamie Thomes, Planning Technician at 503-618-2842 or Jamie.Thomes@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Mon, Aug 10, 2020 6:30PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

The Planning Commission advises City Council on long-range, comprehensive planning and land use issues within the city.

For more information about this event, contact Amanda Lunsford, Administrative Analyst at 503-618-2235 or Amanda.Lunsford@GreshamOregon.gov.