Northwest Gresham Neighbors

WRG design,the representatives for the Colwood golf course, are proposing a zone change from Open Space to Industrial for the 143 acre site located at 73rd and Columbia Blvd. They are also considering donating 19 acres along the Columbia Slough to Parks and Recreation for future development of trails. How do you feel about this rezoning and possible donation? Since this property is privately owned, what action if any should the Cully Association of Neighbors take? How should this action be implemented?
Thank you for your input.
Kathy Fuerstenau, CAN chair

By Kathy Fuerstenau

I'not a freak, I am French!

Why not just pave the entire golf course over and build more trashy low income apartments so that we can more litter, abandoned autos, crime, gang shootings,grafiti,and prostitutes; yes, I said prostitutes! I was confronted by one at 1:15am while sitting at the intersection of Cully and Killingsworth in my car just last night! You should know that this is not the first time that this has happened in this area. Do you think that $50.00 is too much for oral sex? For a meth addict, I would say definately yes! Am I the only one that calls the police to report crime? Am I the only one who cleans up the street in front on my house and my neighbor's houses? Am I the only one who confronts buyers of drugs from the local drug house? Am I the only one who reports abandoned autos to the city? Am I the only one who gets the city to make residents of Cully to clean up the trash in their yards? What is the Cully Neighborhood Association doing about these problems? Nothing from what I can see!!!!!! Nothing on the underused wedsite? To much bla, bla, bla, at the meetings and not enough action!

I must agree with nanahotel

This neighborhood association needs to start worrying about the crime, delinquent children and the trash that is everywhere. Not to mention all of the junk cars parked on the streets. Also, Kudos to the people fixing up the ''Spirit'' bar. Finally something takes over and starts that shabby corner on its way to hopefully a better future. Now what about the vacant lot across the street from it, berry bushes, junk cars, garbage ? Lets get whoever owns that to clean it up! I am sure it would help if the neighborhood dumpers would stop dumping stuff off there!

By Campaign

Colwood is zoned Open Space with an environmental conservation overlay.

Open Space zoning is intended to preserve and enhance public and private open, natural, and improved park and recreational areas in the City. Colwood provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, is a natural contrast to the built environment, preserves scenic qualities of the City, protects a fragile environmental area, and preserves the capacity and water quality of the stormwater drainage system. Loss of this Open Space would impact all of these qualities and there would also be an enormous and permanent lost opportunity.

The area surrounding Colwood is extremely deficient in parkland, natural areas, and other open space. Cully's access rate is 2,780 people per park acre, compared with a citywide average of 40 people per park acre. This area cannot afford to lose 140 acres of open space. Loss of the Colwood open space could also result in a permanent gap in the 40-Mile Loop Bike and Pedestrian Trail.

In addition to a substantial and permanent loss of open space, the location of this open space is along the Columbia and Whitaker sloughs. These areas are sensitive wildlife areas that include fragile riparian zones and important buffers to these zones. A significant amount of riparian habitat in this area has already been lost. Losing even more of this habitat is not supported by the Comprehensive Plan's goals for the local environment, Metro's goal for the area, or local neighborhood plans.

The transition of this open space and habitat area to industrial use would also have a pronounced effect on local health. North and Northeast Portland already suffer from the long-term effects of environmental injustice resulting from existing and historic industrial uses in the area. The significant impact of new air and water pollution sources on the health of local residents in addition to the effects on local wildlife should not be discounted.

Creation a public park in the area would enhance the livability of Portland and the region. If the landowners wish to sell under the existing zoning, every resident, business, and organization supporting retaining the open space zoning is ready to ask for Metro and/or the City to step up and buy it.

As for funding available for this acquisition, this area has been targeted for preservation and acquisition by Metro because the Columbia Slough "is one of very few areas in North and Northeast Portland with the potential for restoring fish and wildlife habitat." In addition, Portland's system development charges that are earmarked for parks could be used for acquisition.

It is important to note that both of these funding sources may only be used for park and open space acquisition. Use of these funds would not affect the funding of other pressing needs in the City.

Like Oxbow - a Colwood Regional Park would protect local habitat, provide greater access to nature areas, and enhance local recreational opportunities for Portland residents and others in the region in perpetuity.