Portland Land Use (5/3): Portland Expo Master Plan, Development Proposed in Hollywood, Cell Tower in Forest Park, BES Projects, Greenway Review

Myhre Group Architects propose to build a 5-story, 37,000 square-foot residential and commercial space near the historic Hollywood Theatre. Rendering: Myhre Group

Public Hearings

Portland Expo Center Might Get Another 10 Years to Implement Master Plan

Kenton

Metropolitan Portland's regional government seeks a 10-year extension to continue developments approved in 2001 for the Portland Expo Center on N Marine Drive. The projects Metro wants to complete, as funds become available, include the expansion of the expo's available floor space, from 410,000 to 522,510 square feet, as well as the redesign of the Expo's southern drive access, which increases, by 421, parking spaces for visitors. Metro also proposes a pedestrian bridge to span N Marine Drive from the Expo to nearly five acres of Metro-owned property near the North Portland Harbor. The public hearing is scheduled for the morning of May 11 at the Bureau of Development Services's (BDS) offices at 1900 SW 4th Avenue. (LU 11-102970 CUMS PC # 10-160756)

Pre-Application Conferences

Pre-application conferences are the first formal steps in the long process of bringing projects to fruition, during which applicants and the BDS discuss overall plans in order to determine and solve potential problems that may arise when considering a project's details.

Proposed Development Slated Near Hollywood Theatre

Hollywood

Representative from Myhre Group Architects propose to build a 5-story, 37,000 square-foot residential and commercial space near the historic Hollywood Theatre at the corner of NE 41st Street at Sandy Boulevard. If brought to completion, the development would include more than 50 residential units, a pedestrian courtyard, two pedestrian plazas. The plan does not include on-site parking for the potential retailers or residents. The conference is scheduled for the morning of May 10 at BDS. (EA 11-130204)

Cingular Wireless Wants to Build 80-Foot-Tall Cell Tower

Forest Park

Forest Park neighbors may soon see an 80-foot-tall back monopole—featuring three antenna sectors and surrounded by 700 landscaped square feet of accessory equipment—constructed on the northwest corner of NW Cornell and Miller Roads, as per a request by Cingular Wireless (AT&T). The conference is scheduled for the morning of May 5 at BDS. (EA 11-125334)

Type II Proposals—No Hearing, Submit Written Comments

BES Proposing a Pair of Projects to Treat Stormwater Runoff and Monitor Sewage Flow

Argay

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) seeks BDS approval to prevent stormwater runoff from entering into the Columbia River Slough by constructing a dry pond concrete treatment system on 300 acres of land located at NE 148th Avenue near Sandy Boulevard. Currently, the site features a large basin that collects untreated stormwater runoff. BES wants to build a series of pipes from the basin to the dry pond system where the runoff will be treated before it is deposited back into the environment. Written comments regarding this proposal must be submitted to BDS by May 5. (LU 10-184030 EN)

University Park

BES seeks BDS approval to build a 10" by 12" by 12" concrete-block utility building on a patch of land on the 6800 block of N Willamette Boulevard, which could house equipment BES would then use to monitor the flow of sewage levels for the Portsmouth Tunnel. BES also wishes to construct a 30-foot monopole with microwave antennas, which would enable the site's monitoring equipment to communicate with monitoring equipment located at the nearby Columbia Wastewater Treatment Facility on N Columbia Boulevard. Written comments regarding this proposal must be submitted to BDS by May 12. (LU 11-116163 AD)
 

Simplot Wants Improvements Near Willamette River

St. Johns

Boise, Idaho's JR Simplot Company, the country's largest distributor of potatoes, seeks a greenway review from BDS in order to implement a series of improvements to their site along the Willamette River. According to BDS, Simplot proposes to extend a set of railroad tracks for on-site railcar storage, to excavate a pit that will use an industrial conveyor belt for off-site loading, and to install riverbed plantings and an irrigation system. The site is zoned for heavy industrial purposes, but it is also designated as a special flood hazard area and a DEQ Environmental Cleanup Site. The greenway review is triggered because the improvements listed occur within 75 feet of the river. Written comments regarding this proposal must be submitted to BDS by May 10. (LU 11-113685 GW)
 

Bamboo Craftsman Company Proposes Center to Promote the Use of Bamboo

Kenton

Portland's Bamboo Craftsman Company, designers, builders, retailers, consultants and advocates of all things bamboo, seeks a nonconforming situation review from BDS that would allow them to settle in a building formerly occupied by Leonard & Sons Towing. Specifically, the company is petitioning to change the site's zoning from "residential auto repair and storage" to "residential office and manufacturing and production." Bamboo Craftsman already currently occupies the space. Written comments regarding this proposal must be submitted to BDS by May 13. (LU 11-126625 NU)