By Kari Schlosshauer
Richmond Neighborhood Association (RNA) held its monthly meeting on March 9 at Waverly Heights Church at SE 33rd and Woodward St. Meetings are held in the basement; enter from the east side of the building. The website is www.richmondpdx.org.
The spring/summer off-leash hours took effect March 15 at Sewallcrest Park: weekdays are 6 am to 4 pm and 7 pm to midnight. Weekends are 6 to 10 am and 7 pm to midnight. The off-leash area is the south side of the ball field.
Richmond Spring Clean Up will be May 16. Bring wood waste, non-curbside recyclables and plastics, block Styrofoam and peanuts, electronics, etc., and join us for a great plant sale.
The Division Design Initiative (DDI) presented the results of a survey questionnaire on design preferences for future development on SE Division St. The survey received approximately 300 responses: 127 respondents (42%) noted scale/or building height issues, and 89% of these respondents stated a preference for “small”, “smaller”, or 1 – 3 story buildings. Out of the total pool of 300 respondents, 37% had a preference for “smaller” or 1 – 3 story buildings, while 58% of respondents overall noted no preference for scale or height.
After much discussion about neighborhood development, building styles, parking and trash concerns, and what the neighborhood wants on Division now and into the future, RNA voted 5 to 3, with two abstentions, to recommend a three – story height limit on Division for buildings not already four stories, which is the current limit under Division St. zoning.
RNA left open the issue whether it will recommend performance bonuses to allow extra stories and held a Land Use meeting on March 2 regarding a proposed 27 unit apartment building at 3021 SE Division; the units are expected to rent for around $1000.
The SE Hawthorne-Salmon Green Street and Sewer Project will affect Hawthorne & 41st Ave. New planters and sewer work begins summer 2015. During the year-long project, street closures will be for a continuous three week period of day and night construction (specific dates TBD). There will be an open house after a contractor is selected. Contact matthew.gough@portlandoregon.gov for regular updates.
The Division/Clinton Business Association (DCBA) has a newly elected President, Sydney Mead. Farewell to Past President, Todd Cleek. DCBA is creating a walking map for the area, and 10,000 copies will be distributed via Travel Portland’s Downtown Visitor’s Center, at accommodation sites and throughout the DCBA District. Learn more at divisionclinton.com.
Shahram Hosseinion, a family doctor in the community, is opening a new business, Brewed by Gnomes, www.brewedbygnomes.com. It will be an herbal organic brewing company.
The DDI is seeking grant funding to create a toolkit for neighborhood design to be shared with other neighborhoods. To learn more or get involved, visit divisiondesigninitiative.org.
The next RNA meeting is Monday, April 13, at 7 pm, when we will hear more about the Mixed Use Zones Project.