CAMPAIGN UPDATE

From Gresham First:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED THIS WEEK

Gresham First has a surplus of COMMENT CARDS that we need to HAND OUT THIS WEEK!

They have a volunteer who is helping to organize a few more public awareness drives around the neighborhood, and could use some help this week. He will be RALLYING AS WEATHER PERMITS at the corner of 182/Powell tomorrow to pass out the extra postcards. If you have time this week, please contact me and I can give you his contact information. If you can't coordinate your schedule to attend a rally, please consider talking to neighbors and encouraging their participation. The cards could also be distributed in parking lots, etc.

NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO SUPPORT BIG-BOX CODE

After months of discussion, the Coalition voted Monday, June 20 to recommend the development of a land-use ordinance that would require retail developments over a certain size to undergo an economic impact review. The request will soon go before our City Council for review and notice will be provided when the item is placed on their agenda. Please help protect the long-term health of our community by urging the Mayor and City Council for “big-box” restrictions. Our website has a sample letter to help get you started at http://www.greshamfirst.org/letters.htm.

TRAFFIC COUNT REVIEWED BY NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

On Wednesday, June 22, the City of Gresham facilitated the final meeting between Wal-Mart’s traffic consultant, Kittelson and Associates, and representatives from the Centennial, Hollybrook and Southwest Neighborhoods. The City of Gresham noted that the City Transportation staff has not concluded their review, and all recommendations presented were from Kittelson. These improvements were referred to as a “starting point” as additional requirements may be presented from the City of Gresham after review. A total of 31 intersections were studied during three separate analysis periods – weekday am peak, weekday pm peak, and mid-day Saturday peak. Driveway counts have also been conducted at 3 local Wal-Mart Supercenters. Kittelson estimates $1.3 million in fees will be paid to the City of Gresham to cover the costs of recommended improvements, which include:

• Coordinate traffic lights on Highland Drive between 11th and Powell Blvd.
• New traffic signals on Highland Drive at Pleasant View and Butler Road
• New traffic signal on Powell Blvd/West Powell Loop
• New signal phasing at 182nd & Powell – flashing yellow arrow “Protected Permissive” which allows a left turn with caution, without the green arrow.

An independent review of the Kittelson figures was commissioned by Gresham First and is being conducted by Greenlight Engineering. A summary of Greenlight’s findings and recommendations will be sent to the City of Gresham during the review period, and will be available to members for review. We have raised enough for a few more hours of this importance analysis and continue our fundraising efforts. Please consider a small contribution to the cause, in the form of time, money, bottles or rummage items!

NEXT STEP - APPEAL PHASE

The City Planner expects to make a ruling well before the required 60 day period, as he has had ample time to review most parts of the application while waiting for finalized traffic counts. He estimates a decision within the next month. We hope that the City of Gresham will listen to our concerns and act appropriately. While we expect an initial ruling of denial, opponents must prepare for an appeal. To ensure responsible development, we have secured the services of a land use attorney.