Hayhurst

4-9-02 Meeting Minutes

Cedar Sinai Park

Land Use Rep, Sylvia McFarland, discussed the ongoing concerns with Cedar Sinai Park’s (CSP) Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The reason for the permit was to limit the impact to the neighborhood and to the neighbors. CSP was directed to refrain from publicly advertising events to limit the traffic flow and related problems on the neighborhood. Affected neighbors pull public advertisements on a weekly basis. An additional violation included a large parking lot light directed right in to neighbors’ houses. The neighbors have been diligent about updating the involved city members who have the responsibility to enforce the CUP. After many letters and calls, a non-compliance letter was sent to CSP giving them 30 days to correct the violations. That 30 days ended in mid-February. To date, none of the violations have been corrected or remedied. The discussion among the HNA neighbors focused on how to proceed to motivate a quicker resolution to this issue. Joe Higgens made the motion for Sylvia, on behalf of the HNA, to schedule appointments, write letters to the Mayor, Hales, Francesconi, local papers, the ombudsman, or any other means to facilitate a speedy resolution to the ongoing issues at CSP. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Watershed Stewardship

Nora Beck and Patty O’Malley from AmeriCorp presented a workshop on how to become good stewards of our Watersheds. Watershed Stewardship encompasses where water comes from and where it goes in Portland. They shared a number of statistics, current processes, and solutions to encourage better utilization of water run offs. In Portland, we receive 37 inches of rain per year creating 29 billion gallons of water run off. Barriers to effective run off include impervious surfaces (surfaces that have become or made hard i.e. pavement, clay, roofs), combined sewer and storm water systems, sediment control, and cost-effective resources available in land planning and development. Nora and Patty proposed three ways to decrease the impacts of runoff: 1) capture rainwater in trees and vegetation, 2) reduce impervious areas, and 3) build bigger pipes. In summary, Nora and Patty called us to “mimic nature.”

Additional Discussion Items

Lillie Fitzpatrick discussed the ongoing graffiti issues on Beaverton Hillsdale Highway by the Auto Body Shop. She will be taking pictures and contacting the owners to try and get permission to clean up the area and take preventative measures. If anyone notices graffiti in the area, please call the graffiti hotline (503-823-4824).

Bob Broberg attended and reported on the SWNI Board meeting. The main issue that Bob highlighted had to do with the Markham Hill plan and the lack of effective impact that SWNI and other neighborhoods are having on the city. The city appears to be dispatching the plan with political savvy and skill and the neighborhood voice is not being heard. Bob talked about the different avenues that were discussed during the meeting to combat this issue.

Joe Higgins and Lillie Fitzpatrick reported on the study of 13 southwest parks for additional dog off-leash areas, of which four parks might be candidates. These are:

1. Hillsdale Park, by church parking lot
2. Willamette Park, between RR track and north-south road in park.
3. Duniway Park, towards lilac garden
4. Gabriel Park, in volleyball area or in “Little Gab” towards ball field.

A public, open house will be held in approximately 4-6 weeks.

Carolyn Rundorff reported on graveling one short connecting path and getting a sinkhole filled by 55th and Vermont. A notice appeared at the end of the trail relating to erosion, asking citizens to call 503-823-7002 if they had concerns. Carolyn called and within a week the sinkhole had been repaired. She was impressed. She also talked about restoring the Red Electric Line behind Vermont Hills Methodist Church. Apparently, the trail has been overgrown and when walkers travel that route they are told by the Nursery to get off their property. The trail is city property and is a public right-of-way. The HNA discussed taking the Red Electric Line Trail on as a neighborhood project. Carolyn also informed us that the League of Women Voters pamphlet will be out in April covering the May Ballot.