1) Help clean up Beach School (Saturday, Aug. 22)
2) Odor investigation update
3) City to update rules for residential accessory structures
1) Help clean up Beach School (Saturday, Aug. 22)
The annual Beach School Community Care Day is Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Help clean up our neighborhood school’s grounds by weeding, pruning, mowing and spreading bark chips. Please bring your garden tools and gloves, lawn mowers, and weed eaters. (There will also be some garden tools available for you to use).
This year there will also be some cleaning out of excess furniture from the school building, so bring a dolly if you have one, to help with this. Unneeded furniture will be given away.
There will be water, bark chips to spread, and snacks.
Beach School Community Care Day
Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m. to noon
Beach School (1710 N Humboldt St.)
2) Odor investigation update
Last summer, Portland Environmental Services staff began investigating unusual odors reported around North Portland and near the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant. After significant effort, the investigation discovered that the source of some odors was industrial solvents, particularly DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). DMSO is odorless but degrades in the sewer system and can cause a sickly-sweet chemical odor.
In June, Environmental Services identified Portland companies that were discharging DMSO to the city sewer system and informed them that city code prohibits any discharge that creates noxious odors. The companies immediately ceased DMSO discharges. In turn odor reports diminished.
Odor reports from our neighbors were instrumental in Environmental Services efforts to identify and eliminate these discharges to our system.
To report sewer odors online or to subscribe to receive odor alerts by email, go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/odors or call 503-823-1700.
3) City to update rules for residential accessory structures
Thinking about building an additional dwelling unit (ADU), garage or even a deck? You might want to check out the new rules in the works for such buildings.
The Accessory Structures Zoning Code Update is revising the City’s Zoning Code regulations for accessory structures with a focus on detached accessory structures associated with residential development. These structures include garages, storage sheds, home offices, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as well as decks, trellises, and mechanical equipment.
The project aims to streamline the regulations by emphasizing form (setbacks, height, and bulk) over function (how the accessory structure is used) while continuing to address impacts on neighboring properties. Specifically, the proposed amendments:
- Expand the exemption that allows small one-story garages in side and rear setbacks to other detached accessory structures;
- Set a uniform building height maximum of 20 feet for all detached accessory structures;
- Require all detached covered accessory structures over 15-feet in height to meet revised compatibility standards that address exterior finish materials, roof pitch, trim, windows and eaves;
- Provide additional flexibility for mechanical equipment installations related to single dwelling development; and
- Reformat regulations to improve clarity.
Read a two-page summary of the changes or dive into the full text of the code amendments. The city will accept comments on the proposal by email at psc@portlandorgeon.gov and at a public hearing Sept. 22, at 5 p.m., at 1900 SW 4th Ave., Room 2500A. Call ahead to confirm the time for this item on the agenda: 503-823-7700.