1) Sunday Parkways comes to Overlook this weekend
2) OKNA development appeal secures more active use space on Interstate
4) OKNA Board meeting canceled
1) Sunday Parkways comes to Overlook this weekend
On Sunday, streets across North Portland will close to vehicle traffic for Sunday Parkways. It’s a particularly special event, marking the 50th Sunday Parkways in the city’s history. Attendees are encouraged to come in their favorite gold outfits and flair to mark the milestone.
Sunday Parkways will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make it easy for residents and visitors alike to join in the fun this weekend PBOT has created a detailed Sunday Parkways route map and brochure with all area bikeway routes and bus and light rails routes to help area everyone get to Sunday Parkways by biking and taking transit.
The full route is 9.5 miles, including a stretch along Willamette Boulevard. Riders can ride as much or as little of the route as they like.
The route highlights five Portland Parks and activity areas including Peninsula, Arbor Lodge, Kenton, and McCoy Parks and the Columbia Annex with activities, food, music, and community businesses and organizations to connect with at the event.
Learn more on the North Portland Sunday Parkways official webpage.
2) OKNA development appeal secures more active use space on Interstate
As mentioned last month, OKNA appealed the development approval of an affordable housing project at N Interstate Avenue and N Alberta Street being developed by Proud Ground. Specifically, the appeal asked that the project meet zoning standards that require 25 percent of the ground floor be in active uses such as retail, daycare and more. The project originally had been proposed with zero ground-floor active use space. At the time of application, it included 14 percent, later revised to 18 percent. After reviewing the application, city planners required 20 percent.
The development team also appealed the project (seeking to decrease the amount of required active use back to 14 percent).
OKNA Board Chair Chris Trejbal presented the neighborhood’s argument at the appeal. The hearing before the city’s Design Commission was contentious and extended into a second session.
“In regard to the first appeal from the Overlook Neighborhood Association, I couldn’t find in any of their arguments fault in their logic. I agreed with all of their points,” Commissioner Jessica Molinar said.
Nevertheless, OKNA’s appeal was denied on a 3-2 vote. Despite the denial, it wasn’t a complete loss. The commission did require that the project include 23 percent active use on the ground floor. The active use must anchor the two Interstate Avenue corners of the building. Getting so close to the required amount was a partial victory.
Concerns remain that this sets a precedent that developers can provide less than the amount of active use that will encourage vibrant town centers in Overlook and other neighborhoods across the city. The reasoning of the commission majority also appears to set a double standard under which residents of affordable housing cannot expect to enjoy the same code protections as residents of market-rate housing.
At this point, the decision could be appealed to the state Land Use Board of Appeals. If it is, we will be sure to let everyone know.
“I want the neighborhood to know that I really want to hold the 25 percent line as we move forward and that this is sort of the first time we’ve tried this out and it’s been difficult and painful,” said Commissioner Sam Rodriguez who voted to deny the appeal. “The next time when staff is working with another design team, market or otherwise, it won’t be as easy next time. It won’t be as forgiving next time; at least I won’t.”
Rodriguez also admonished Proud Ground and its supporters for disruptive behavior during the hearing that he called “really disgraceful.”
Despite our disagreement over the active use requirement, OKNA continues to support this project and looks forward to the addition of more affordable housing in the neighborhood. We are especially pleased to see housing that targets communities that historically were displaced from North and Northeast Portland.
You can listen to the hearings and view project documents online.
3) Celebrate July 4th safely
OKNA wishes residents of the Overlook Neighborhood a fun and safe Independence Day this week.
As you celebrate the birth of our country, please remember to drink responsibly and refrain from using illegal fireworks that could spark a fire in our neighborhood. Illegal fireworks include anything that explodes, ejects balls of fire, flies into the air, or travels more than six feet on the ground or 12 inches into the air.
4) OKNA Board meeting canceled
The Overlook Neighborhood Association Board will not meet on Tuesday, July 2. We will discuss OKNA business at the monthly general meeting on July 16.