1) Residential parking permit pilot project
2) Help updated OKNA’s bylaws
3) Trillium Charter School is enrolling students for fall
4) Winter fruit tree pruning
5) Become a stormwater star
6) Do you know a North Portland hero?
7) Don’t forget to pay the arts tax
1) Residential parking permit pilot project
The Portland Bureau of Transportation seeks neighborhoods to participate in two parking permit pilot projects. Should Overlook apply?
The Area Parking Permit (APP) Program was established in 1981 to help residents in non-metered areas address parking demand in their neighborhood due to commuters. This is done through a permit system that limits those commuters who don’t live or work in that area. Those who do have businesses or live in the area may apply to purchase a permit, allowing parking beyond the visitor limit.
These pilots will assist the city to determine what works and what doesn’t for implementing a new zone. The rules could include limiting the total number of permits in an area, limiting permits issued per residence or charging a permit surcharge to be re-invested into the APP zone to reduce parking demand.
Key criteria for consideration:
- The area requesting the Area Parking Permit zone must work through its neighborhood association or business district association.
- The city must agree, based on data collection, that on-street parking spaces in the area are 75 percent occupied at least four days per week.
- The city traffic engineer must agree that the Area Parking Permit zone would promote benefits within the designated area that may include reduced traffic congestion and increased pedestrian safety.
We’ll discuss this at our general meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Kaiser Town Hall. If you want to share your thoughts before then, email overlookna@gmail.com.
2) Help update OKNA’s bylaws
The Overlook Neighborhood Association’s bylaws are in need of an update. We’re looking for a few residents to serve on a Bylaws Review Committee to review our governing document and suggest changes. We hope residents will bring diverse views to this short-term project that should wrap up by summer.
If you’re interested in participating, send an email to chair@overlookneighborhood.org by Feb. 28 describing yourself and why you’re interested.
Any bylaws changes will go to the membership for a vote before adoption.
3) Trillium Charter School is enrolling students for fall
Trillium Charter School, which is located in the Overlook Neighborhood on Interstate Avenue, is enrolling students for its fall term. There’s no fee to apply and tuition is free.
Trillium serves 365 students in grades K-12. The school follows a democratic and constructivist curriculum and school model. They teach to the whole child, tailoring curriculum to individual interests and learning styles. If you walk into a classroom, you will not see desks lined up in rows, but tables set up for collaborative work and floor space for community-building circles.
Interested families should visit the school’s website to learn more about its programs and the enrollment process. If Trillium seems like a good fit, families are invited to attend an Open House for Prospective Families (RSVP on Facebook) on Feb. 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. If you can’t attend or want to get a sneak peak, check out an the online admissions video.
4) Winter fruit tree pruning
Are you interested in learning how to prune fruit trees? Urban Forestry planted a demonstration orchard outside of their North Portland office in 2010. The orchard includes 55 diverse fruit and nut trees, from the traditional apples, pears and cherries to paw paws, persimmons, jujubes, mulberries and medlars. These young trees are now ready for their winter pruning.
Volunteer groups will be guided by an ISA Certified Arborist and Urban Forestry staff. You will learn the difference between the types of fruit tree pruning — such as open vase and central leader. This is a great opportunity for beginners or a chance to sharpen your skills.
Advanced registration is required and limited to 20 volunteers. They recommend long pants and long sleeves, sturdy shoes and rain gear. Instruction, tools, gloves, coffee, water and snacks will be provided.
Register online. Contact Patrick Key Patrick.Key@portlandoregon.gov at with questions.
5) Become a stormwater star
This winter might have been on the dry side, but Portland still gets plenty of rain. What happens to that rain when it falls in your yard is up to you. At upcoming stormwater workshops, attendees will learn to manage the rain that falls around their home, work with fellow community members and improve local water quality.
The annual Stormwater Stars workshop series offers free stormwater management instruction and resources to Portland-area residents, practicing skills such as native plant landscaping, erosion control, runoff water reduction, soil amendment/restoration, installation of permeable pathways, sod removal and more. 2018 workshop dates are Feb 24, March 10, March 18, April 8.
Sign up today at swni.org/stormwater or contact Lorena O’Neill at stormwater@swni.org for more information.
6) Do you know a North Portland hero?
Celebrate North Portland is looking for nominations for their annual awards ceremony. This event was created to celebrate and recognize the many amazing individuals who make North Portland such a great place to live and work. If you know of an individual, nonprofit, or business that has gone above and beyond this last year you can nominate them for an award by clicking here.
7) Don’t forget to pay the arts tax
It’s tax season again, and most Portland residents owe the city of Portland $35 each to fund arts programs. Don’t forget to pay the arts tax online by April 17 to avoid a penalty. Portlanders who are younger than 18, whose household income is at or below the federal poverty level, or who had less than $1,000 income qualify for an exemption.