Land Use Notebook (8/10): Ecological Learning Plaza, Jantzen Beach Redo, "Made in Oregon" Sign

PSU Proposes Ecological Learning Plaza Downtown

Portland State University and the State of Oregon's Board of Higher Education are seeking approval to create an "Ecological Learning Plaza" on the block of downtown land intersected by Park, Jackson, Broadway and Hall. Having already demolished the one-story modular building east of Shattuck Hall, the applicants are seeking approval for the project's second phase, which includes salvaging and leaving in place the demolished building's steel frame. This frame will then be converted to support greenwall prototypes to be studied at the university. If approved, the plaza will be landscaped with native plants and pavers and will be open for public strolls. Comments regarding this proposal must be submitted to the Bureau of Development Services (BDS) by 5 p.m., August 16. (LU 10-155605 DZ)

Three-way Split Proposed for Wonder Bread/Hostess Lot in Eliot

Plans are in the works to split the more than 100,000 square-foot lot at 103 N. Ivy, near North Williams into three new parcels of land. The lot, which was once occupied as a manufacturing and storage facility for Hostess and Wonder Bread, will now be split into lots approximately 62,000-, 28,000- and 28,000-square feet, respectively. The applicants also seek to remove a 32-inch Western red cedar, for which they will pay into the city's tree fund. There is a currently a building on site which still sells Hostess products, which might remain until plans are finalized for the site's future development. At present, there is no specific development proposed. Comments regarding this proposal must be submitted to BDS by 5 p.m., August 26. (LU 10-110583 LDP)

Pre-Application Conferences

Pre-application conferences are the very first among what be many formal meetings between potential developers and BDS during which ideas and regulations for a site are exchanged. Think of the Pre-App like the opening short of a film. A sunrise. On the horizon. In the Nevada desert. Filmed by Andy Warhol. In really, really sloooooow moooooootion. In other words, it's going to be a while before anything happens.

Eastmoreland/Woodstock

On July 28, there was a pre-application conference to consider dividing a 53,170 square-foot lot into four planned residential lots at Southeast Berkeley Way and Southeast Tenino at the corner of Southeast Cesar Chavez Boulevard ranging in size from approximately 3,500 to 5,200 square feet. (EA 10-151798)

Woodstock

On July 28, there was a pre-application conference to consider the construction of a one-story 72,000-square foot retail space, with plans to include a convenience store and on-site parking for up to 46 vehicles at 5136 SE Woodstock, near Southeast 52nd Avenue. (EA 10-152350)

Hayden Island

On August 3, there was a pre-application conference to consider the redevelopment of the Jantzen Beach SuperCenter. This early-stage proposal states the intention to demolish most of the mall building north of Burlington Coat Factory, to make room for a Target shopping center and as many as six restaurants stationed around the mall's perimeter. (EA 10-153941)

Antennas

North Tabor

There is a public meeting scheduled for 7 p.m., August 18 in the basement cafeteria of the Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church to discuss the pending installation of power pole in the public right-of-way on the west side of Southeast 60th Avenue, between East Burnside and Southeast Stark near the Mt. Tabor Middle School playground. Clearwire, the applicant, proposes to replace a 75-foot wood power pole with a 90-foot steel power pole, to be topped by three panel antennas and three microwave antennas.

Final Approval "Made in Oregon" Sign

Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention that final approval is forthcoming on the "White Stag" sign that greets us every time we westwardly cross the Burnside Bridge. After a long legal battle between the University of Oregon and the City Council, the sign will be altered, with the plan to replace the pluperfect "Made in" with the proper noun, "Portland." The sign's long history dates back to the 1940s and has been used by various business people to promote sugar, outerwear, wines, jams and other Oregonian commodities.

The Historic Landmarks Commission's decision is final unless appealed to the city council. If an appeal is filed, the council will in turn hold a public hearing. Appeals must be received by 4:30 p.m., August 12, and it'll run you just shy of $7,000 (or one-half of the case's original application fee). If you cannot spare money for the fee, you or your neighborhood association may qualify to have it waived. (LU 10-121196 HDZ/PC 10-115808)