Below is an article I wrote that was published in the Winter, 2013 issue of the Alameda Neighborhood Association newsletter. Although the workshop input phase is complete, the update is still a work in progress and citizen input is still possible.
Comprehensive Plan Workshop
Saturday, March 9, 2013; 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Beaumont Middle School – 4043 NE Fremont Street
So what, you say? Well, here’s what! The Comprehensive Plan will form the basis of Portland City government policy for the next quarter of a century. This workshop affords you and any other Portland resident an opportunity to consider and influence the way our City will be governed. The Plan directs decision-making on broad issues such as transportation, zoning, environment, and maintaining the unique character of neighborhoods.
The Value and Livability of Your Home
In recent years, all neighborhoods have experienced up-sizing of existing homes and construction of infill homes. Alameda is no exception. Some of these structures fit pretty well into the context of the adjacent homes; some do not. Bulk, height, and style are characteristics that determine whether new construction harmonizes with its surroundings.
In our neighborhood, four homes have been demolished in the last year and replaced with homes that are much larger. Several more homes were converted from one story to two-and-a-half story. Opinions of neighboring homeowners I have consulted run the gamut from approval to dismay, from “It’s an improvement.” to “Why do they have to be so BIG?” and “A craftsman-style looks odd with short eaves.”. The broader concern is what can be done to keep the character of our neighborhood intact while accommodating the changes that will come about as Portland becomes more populous and families’ wants and needs evolve.
Restriction vs. Protection
The desire to prevent incompatible development drove the effort of the Irvington neighborhood to create its National Historic District. Even within the previous City-regulated Irvington Historic Conservation District, codes were inadequate to prevent the construction of grossly out-of-place structures. The flip-side of the protections afforded by listing on the National Register is that the City’s National Historic District codes are exceedingly restrictive and require expensive design review. District property owners were not fully aware of the advantages and disadvantages of subjecting their properties to Historic Overlay zoning. In addition, administration of the code appears to have fallen to the Irvington Community Association as well as the Portland Bureau of Development Services, yielding home alterations that are not always historically authentic. The purpose of a National Historic District is to “preserve a record of its time”, not to prevent incompatible development.
It is apparent from my discussions with Alameda homeowners that we enjoy and appreciate the character of our neighborhood. From the impressive homes to the more modest, our neighborhood does have architectural consistency. The majority of our homes were constructed eighty to ninety years ago, and the scale and style of homes in a given area are generally compatible. Altogether, it creates a pleasant environment. However, current R5 base zoning allows a maximum average height of thirty feet and set-back side yards of five feet. As an extreme example, a 30-foot high, 40-foot wide structure is currently permissible on a 50-foot-wide lot, taller with a sloped roof. So how do we keep development in our neighborhood compatible with the context without heavy-handed regulation?
You Can Be Part of the Process
The City’s update of the Comprehensive Plan, now in process, should help. Dozens of community members have worked together with City staff to develop the current draft. It contains language which will guide a much more context-sensitive development process. The guidelines will form a foundation for modifications to City codes that will take into account the effect of new construction on surrounding homes. It may not be a fascinating read for you, but check out the draft plan on-line at http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/60986. Parts of Chapter 4 address context compatibility. (It’s only a few pages, and not terribly technical.) There are other guidelines regarding solar access, gardening, etc. in Chapter 4. Policies 8.6, 8.8, 8.9, and 8.10 may be of interest to you as well.
In addition to participating in the March 9th Workshop, any Portlander is invited to offer comments and suggestions on the Plan before May 1st. You can comment via letter or e-mail to the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. This a good-faith effort on the part of the City to maintain the character of our neighborhoods. Please take the time to become involved. Thanks.
alamedaoverlap 