Land use

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.”

Proposed facility to be located in Rockwood's Germantowne Square, 192nd between Stark and Burnside

When: Tuesday Feb 2, 2010 6:30PM
Where: 19295 E Burnside
Gresham Oregon
Get Map!

Meeting Notice

"RETREAC" and a contractor based out of San Francisco have applied to open and operate a Methadone Maintenance Treatment Facility for the treatment and counseling of narcotic addiction. [Methadone is a Schedule II Narcotic not to be confused with "Meth"(Methamphetamine)].

This informational meeting is being held at the request of applicant to:

1. facilitate discussion between neighbors and the applicant
2. identify any perceived issues regarding the proposal, and
3. make modifications to the proposal where reasonable.

It is part of Gresham's Planning Application process for Community Service Use – Type III. Please visit https://egov.greshamoregon.gov/Click2GovPZ/Index.jsp and input Project Number 09-26000311 to review Project Documents/Comments.

Concerned citizens of Rockwood and Wilkes East are urged to attend this meeting.

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

City identifies 181st & Halsey as one of four potential Gresham locations. Five years later, still no 'Big Box' building code for responsible development.

According to a recent City Council report the possibility is real.

At the October 13th 2009 City Council meeting city planners presented a report that acknowledges Gresham's (Oregon's fourth largest city) need for a big-box policy. The report outlined areas of concern; a summary of how similar sized cities address those issues; and how Gresham compares.

Report recommends delay

The report recommends delaying code development saying the retail market has slowed, making another big-box development unlikely anytime soon. Besides, "A big-box store requires eight acres to accommodate parking," said John Pettis, associate comprehensive planner, "there are no vacant properties (in Gresham) that meet that requirement".

Planners did however identify four sites big enough to be redeveloped to accommodate a big-box (bigger than 100,000 sq. ft.); including 181st & Halsey. (See map below for location)

Good Idea, Bad Idea? You decide.

Help ensure new and existing developments are more compatible. Read what Gresham citizens had to say on this important issue. Download the report here!

Input summary report now available

A Residential Compatibility "Public Input Summary" that describes community reaction to possible residential compatibility solutions is now available on the project website (click on “Project Documents and Meeting Materials”).

Project website (click on link, or paste in your browser) http://greshamoregon.gov/city/city-departments/planning-services/comprehensive-planning/template.aspx?id=9634.

If you attended the workshops, we encourage you to review the information to ensure participants’ comments are correctly described. New comments also are welcome.

Note: This project has been put on hold and is scheduled to resume in 2010.

What to do with the old Rockwood Fred Meyer site? Click to enlarge

Exciting news for Rockwood! “Sustainable Suburbs” students study Rockwood catalyst site, will present six different approaches to redeveloping the Rockwood Town Center, Dec 9th 7PM

Members of the larger Rockwood Community encouraged to attend!

When: Wednesday, Dec 9, 2009 7PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Oregon Trail Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

You are invited!

As part of the University of Oregon’s year-long engagement with the City of Gresham through its Sustainable Cities Year (http://aaa.uoregon.edu/sci/scy/), students from Professor Nico Larco’s Architecture studio “Sustainable Suburbs” have been studying the Rockwood catalyst site at 185th and SE Stark Street and surrounding areas, interviewing local stakeholders, and visualizing the neighborhood’s potential with sustainability in mind. At the December 9th Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee meeting, students from the University of Oregon will present six different approaches to redeveloping the Rockwood Town Center.

UPDATED: Recent area changes and photos below.

Members of the larger Rockwood Community are encouraged to attend on December 9th and be a part of what promises to be an interesting and lively discussion.

Help ensure new and existing developments are more compatible Join the Residential Compatibility discussion! City Hall, Tuesday Oct 20th 6:30PM

When: Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 6:30PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

Residential Compatibility Workshop

The City of Gresham would like your help in ensuring new development and existing development are more compatible with each other.

Please come to this workshop to discuss alternative ways to address issues raised in the Residential Districts Review – Compatibility project.

Alternatives will be presented on the following issues:

• Transitions (commercial or apartments next to single-family)
• Buffers and screening between developments
• Flag lots (homes behind other homes)
• Height and bulk of new homes
• How small-lot subdivisions are reviewed
• Quality/appearance of fences along streets

Volunteers paint the plaza Click to enlarge

Splashes of Color mark a new beginning! Plaza del Sol comes to the Rockwood Cultural Marketplace

Rockwood, Sep 19, 2009
When Rockwood coverage happens its commonly due to negative events. So, we felt it was very important to share an amazing community building event that took place today in Rockwood.

Welcome Rockwood's Plaza Del Sol painting!

Plaza del Sol is one of several new interim uses being sited by the Gresham Redevelopment Commission on the Cultural Marketplace (former Fred Meyer store) property in Rockwood at SE 187th & SE Stark St. Get Map!

The plaza is the first piece of a recently approved interim use plan for the Rockwood Cultural Marketplace to transform the site with new sidewalks, paths, benches, a wildflower garden, play area, basketball courts, a food-cart area, and many other family friendly activities.

Using supplies donated by Parr Lumber and Miller Paint, volunteers worked throughout the day to paint the huge 13,000-square-foot “Plaza del Sol,” a colorful scale model of the solar system on the Southeast corner of the site.

Express yourself, Help Gresham set attractive, innovative, Multi-Family Design Standards. Community forum Sep 30th

When: Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009 6:30PM
Where: City Hall Conference Center
(Springwater Room)
1333 NW Eastman Pkwy
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

Share your ideas!

The Multi-Family Design Standards project will create Code that will facilitate the creation of multi-family housing that is attractive, innovative, of high quality design and materials, and compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. Multi-family development is defined as three or more units located on a single lot. The project will also look at duplexes and mixed-use developments. Issues include defining a vision for multi-family development regarding site design and building design by considering desired quality, design excellence, sustainability, transportation access, traffic impact