By Laura Smith
Debra Monzon provided an update from the Thorburn Street Safety Group. The City is still doing research on the traffic issues and a new traffic count was done in August.
Amanda Fritz announced she is giving her 2015 Spirit of Portland award to MTNA and the volunteers who worked on the reservoir negotiations. She was proud of what MTNA did and how they did it. The ceremony will be in City Hall on November 17 from 6 – 8:30 pm.
Portland Nursery and MTNA continue to have discussions about the Comprehensive Plan update and how it could affect Portland Nursery on SE Stark St. MTNA supports Portland Nursery but has concerns that a change to the all-commercial zoning Portland Nursery wants could negatively impact the neighborhood in the future. Nursery owner Jon Denney feels that current conditional use makes it difficult for the nursery to do improvements to the property.
MTNA continues to support the City of Portland’s Planning staff recommendation for conditional use while supporting the continued success of Portland Nursery.
Developers of Tabor Commons at SE 62nd and Yamhill shared changes in their development plans as a result of neighborhood input. Total number of units is now 12, common space has been increased, a sidewalk will go around the large maple tree on SE Yamhill to save it, and there will be a pedestrian connection from Yamhill to Belmont providing a north route to Mt. Tabor Park. The pedestrian connection will be built to park trail standards but cannot be bike friendly nor ADA accessible because of the steep grade.
SE Uplift says $23,000 in Neighborhood Small Grants is available, and two free grant information workshops are being offered (October 26 at 6:30 – 8:30 pm and November 14 at 10 am – 12 noon). Go to seuplift.org/NSG for more info.
The property currently occupied by Y’s Choice at SE 60th and Stark has a lease with the City that will soon end. Because it is considered the City’s surplus property, other city bureaus are given priority in developing it. MTNA will find out which bureaus may be interested in this property.
Mt. Tabor Reservoir Disconnection is in progress. As a reminder, there are hotlines for reservoir disconnect construction issues and updates. For online updates, go to: portlandoregon.gov > Bureaus > Portland Water Bureau > What we do > Construction Projects > Mt. Tabor Reservoir Disconnection Project. For human contact, call or email Terry Black, Sr. Community Outreach, 503.823.1168 or email terry.black@portlandoregon.gov.
Friends of Mt Tabor Park approved a split rail fence on the south slope of the children’s play area to help stop pedestrian and bicycle damage to that slope. Weed Warriors had a record turnout of 136 volunteers at their September 26 meeting which was due in part to the Nature Conservancy’s sponsorship with free lunch, hats and shirts.
The next meeting of the Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association will be Wednesday, November 18 at 7 pm at Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, SE 54th and Belmont (downstairs in the dining hall), with a social time starting at 6:50 pm. For more information, visit mttaborpdx.org.