SW Neighborhoods, Inc. Empowering Citizens since 1978

Some neighbors have expressed concerns about the Lews & Clark plans:

The properties to be developed are part of the Collins View Neighborhood, but Marshall Park Neighborhood residents who use and live along SW Maplecrest Drive and adjoining streets are also extremely concerned about how this development will affect the livability of our area.  The major issues are the impacts on neighborhood appearance and function, traffic levels, traffic speed, pedestrian and biker safety, wildlife habitat and noise levels.  Of particular concern:

Incomplete Findings – None of the impact studies (including Traffic, Noise Level) evaluated or even considered the implications of 250 additional residents to the adjacent Marshall Park Neighborhood (specifically SW Maplecrest Dr. and adjoining streets).
Inappropriate Land Usage – A high-density housing complex and parking structure are unprecedented and inappropriate for the area.  The current idea that this will be a “Green” project, providing housing near the school to reduce traffic, is naive.  The neighborhood lacks the additional services (i.e., day care, shopping, restaurants, entertainment) within reasonable walking distance to fulfill the needs of the these student families and discourage vehicle usage. 
Increased traffic  – SW Maplecrest will be used as a cut-through to avoid traffic on SW Terwilliger and SW Boones Ferry. 
Increased speed – Speed is already a growing safety concern along SW Maplecrest.  The addition of 200 temporary residents will only increase the danger for our families when we try to walk through the neighborhood.
Potential Cost - Who will pay for the street improvements that will ultimately be imposed?   A local improvement district has been mentioned as one of the options.
Noise – Also as part of the Master Plan update, a PA system is proposed for Huston Field (on Boones Ferry).  Noise from student housing and Huston Field will carry across the canyon and be easily heard in our neighborhood.
Environmental Impact – The increased development, population and noise will affect the wildlife in the area.  Huston Field backs up to Tryon Park and the noise will carry across the canyon through Marshall Park and the adjoining neighborhoods.  The connectivity and integrity of the habitats could be jeopardized.
Campus Sprawl – If Lewis & Clark develops these properties, the adjoining areas will become less desirable for residential use.  This will provide the college opportunity to acquire additional properties and further development away from the current campus.

The Lewis and Clark Conditional Use Master Plan does not provide answers for these concerns. 
The Land Use Review hearing has already been held (8/19/2009) and many neighbors spoke in opposition, but the record is being held open for further comments from any interested person until 4:30 PM on Wed. Sept. 16, 2009.   
The Hearings Officer, Gregory Frank, indicated the community had brought up strong issues relating to livability, transportation and the environment, but his decision can only be based upon whether these issues show that the application doesn't meet the City Zoning Code approval criteria (see attached sub-chapter 33.815.105 Institutional and Other Uses in R Zones and the link to the complete chapter below). 
Comments may be FAXed, delivered to the Hearings Office, or mailed through the US Postal Service.   They absolutely must be received by the Hearings Office (not just in the mail room, and not by the Bureau of Development Services!) before 4:30 PM on Wed. Sept. 16th.   If FAXing, please send at least an hour before the deadline and then call the office 503-823-7307 to make sure your FAX was received.  Do not e-mail!  The Hearings Office does not accept e-mail comments.

City of Portland, Oregon Hearings Office   1900 SW Fourth Avenue, Room 3100, Portland, Oregon 97201
Phone: 503-823-7307    FAX:  503-823-4347