Major Planning Events of the 1970s
Third Quarter, 1973
July
07 Homer Chandler leaves position as Executive Director of CRAG for position in Las Vegas, Nevada. McKay Rich named Acting Director.
09 Planning Commission recommends Downtown Parking and Circulation Plan.
13 Michael Harrison hired as "Planning Aide" by Dale Cannady.
Preliminary Regional Housing Report published by CRAG.Study shows need for 12,485 low-income housing units in the region (SMSA). Calls for CRAG commitments to: (1) the supply of reasonably-priced housing units which can be afforded by low-and-moderate income people must be increased. (2) Deteriorating houses should be rehabilitated and neighborhoods restored. (3) Housing for low-and-moderate income people should be located in newly-developed areas in order that people who wish to relocate there may do so.
16 Richard Brainard reveals plan to end Eliot "blight."
19 Gary Stout picked as head of Office of Planning and Development.
City appoints two to important posts.
23 Ed Westerdahl, Port of Portland, requests approval of application to Federal Aviation Administration to fund land fill and lighting relocation project in expanding south runway 2,200 feet to the west.
August
02 EPA Administrator published proposed regulations to supplement state-adopted measures.
07 Portland Planning Commission hearing on proposed local ordinance to implement the Fasano ruling in Portland zoning decisions.
08 City Council tables appeal by Schnitzer Investment against denial of Conditional Use on Sherlock Building site.
13 1973 Federal Highway Act (Public Law 93-87) allows transfers of highway funds for general funds to construct mass transit substitutions, provided certain conditions are met (O3-C process, as one condition). This establishes region's ability to exchange Mt. Hood highway funds for transit funds to finance MAX.
Planning Commission approves revised Pacific Rim (Davidson Co.) plan, with 13 conditions.
17 Transportation Coordinating Committee of CRAG offers both a majority and a minority report on the 1974 National Transportation Plan.TheGeneral Advisory Board recommends, and the Executive Board adopts, a motion to accept majority report and attach minority report, and forward to Federal Department of Transportation.Ed Wagner, Tri-Met; Ernie Munch; Ted Spence, OSHD; and Dave Peach, WSHD, testify on the 1974 National Transportation Strategy.
22 City Council hearing on PGE Headquarters proposal.Approval with 3 conditions:
- Tower shall be built on westerly block unless otherwise designated by Council in 2 weeks;
- Parking access and egress shall be determined by Planning Commission; and
- Amount of parking shall be determined by City Council, subject to DEQ approval.
28 Planning Commission meets with City council to discuss impact of Fasano decision on procedures employed in Portland.
September
Oregon State Highway Department proposed $10,000 grant from Department of Interior (to match with $10,000 local private contribution) to restore Old Church (1422 SW 11th Avenue, in Downtown Portland.
05 City Council final approval of PGE 18-story Headquarters on westerly block of complex.
EPA holds public hearing in Portland, OR on proposed federal regulations.
07 "What Goes on Here?" [Oregonian editorial]: "It is greatly disturbing to learn that the interpretation placed on the guidelines by the Chairman of the CAC ... envisions residences for 'down and outers' and second-hand stores as acceptable units of development in what is the front yard of Portland's downtown. ... It is in order for the City Council to ask the Advisory Committee some serious questions."
Commissioner Lloyd Anderson (Portland) introduces memorandum considering charges for utility services.One method:new users would need to buy into an existing service system--not only with sewers, but with water, electric, gas and telephone utilities.
11 Mayor names Ernie Bonner new Planning Chief for Portland.
Article in Oregonian pg. 18 and in Journal pg. 4.
20 Ira Blalock, Chairman of CRAG Social Services Committee, recommends enlargement of Committee to include "adequate representation of low-income and minority groups" and to provide a budget of $6 per person per meeting for their expenses.
21 Oregonian Editorial: "Portland downtown planning must not be hung up on the fanciful principle that wherever people may now live in the area, they must be maintained there along with the facilities for the pursuit of whatever life-style they may have chosen or been forced into.That is the path to downtown stagnation.The City Council should lose no time in hauling the downtown plan and its citizens' advisory committee back on track."
Dean Gisvold Forum guest editorial "CAC insists housing must play integral role in downtown growth."
Tri-Met requests $50,000 for feasibility studies and planning for five park-and-ride stations--at Kelly Butte, West Portland, Gateway, Milwaukie and Lake Oswego.
Governor formally submits request for extension, to May 31, 1976, of deadline for attainment of measures in Portland Transportation ControlStrategy. Strategy includes: (1) public transportation improvements, (2) traffic flow improvements in downtown Portland, (3) reorganization and management of parking in downtown Portland, (4) annual inspections to determine emissions from gas-powered engines, and (5) an air bleed to intake manifold retrofit program.
First Quarter 1974
Sometime in 1974
Ballot Measure No. 52 approved, removing $5,000,000 limitation on Tax increment funds.
New US Bank Plaza and Tower completed: 1,244,022 sq. ft. at cost of $128,000,000.
Portland Plaza completed: 1500 SW Sixth Avenue, New market rate housing, 241,985 square feet, 146 housing units, 165 parking spaces, $15,000,000.
Benjamin Franklin Plaza completed: 300,000 square feet at cost of $16,000,000.
Housing and Community Development Act of 1974: This Act consolidated urban renewal, Model Cities, and other categorical programs into the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, providing local control over the types of community development and housing programs that communities could pursue. Grants could be used for almost any purpose related to community development. This was a fundamental change in the way Federal funds for housing and community development were allocated among local jurisdictions. (Read Kurk Wehbring's comments on his role in this important change.)
Portland City Club calls for greater public involvement and citizen input into CRAG decisions.
Department of Motor Vehicles reports that Californians are now moving to the State of Oregon at the rate of 2,000 a month.
January
City Council selects corridor alternative known as the "Short Yeon" for the proposed I-505 freeway through the Northwest District.
04 Planning Commission adopts Northwest Industrial Committee version of "Major Goal" for Northwest District Plan, but continues to disagree on correct allocation between residential and industrial land in the area.
08 Last Planning Commission meeting for Herb Hardy, after 6 years on the Commission.
Planning Commission adopts interim downtown parking policy.
20 Planning Commission, on recommendation of Director Ernie Bonner, asks NW Natural Gas to form a Housing Replacement Task Force as a condition in approving NW Natural Gas plans to vacate city streets north of Burnside to build their headquarters building. Task Force goes on to recommend the rehabilitation of the Foster Hotel for lower-income tenants. See American Preservation, December-January, 1978.
22 Presentation of Johns Landing proposal to Planning Commission. Seeking change from M2 to M3 and M2S to M3S. Commission recommended zone change with conditions.
23 City Council transfers position of Transportation Coordinator (then held by Bill Dirker) from Commissioner Anderson's office to the Office of Planning and Development.
City Council extends Downtown Plan Review Area to north of Burnside.
City Council administers oath of office to new Police Chief, Bruce Baker.
City Council approves re-zoning of Bridgeton-Faloma Area to combination industrial, residential and farm/forest. First use of farm/forest zone in city's history.
31 By resolution 31358, City Council chooses "Short Yeon" corridor for proposed I-505 freeway.
CRAG General Assembly adopts Interim Regional Development Policy. This policy was designed to encourage development of lands "already committed to urbanization," filling in by-passed areas, raising gross densities and utilizing already existing public facilities to their fullest extent.
February
Washington Square opens. Building began in May of 1972.
Scott Burgwin, Lee Lancaster, Diane Wells and Ruby Smale join to form Sunflower Recycling Collective.
02 Richard Gervais sworn in as new member of Land Conservation and Development Commission. L. B. Day, Chair; Steve Schell, Vice-Chair; Dorothy Anderson, Dr. Paul Rudy, James Smart in attendance. Arnold Cogan confirmed as Director of Department of Land Conservation and Development. See unpublished memo Ernie Bonner files.
04 Honorable James M. Burns, United States District Court judge issues decision finding Mt. Hood Freeway corridor location to be invalid.
05 Planning Commission recommends the establishment of a Hearings Officer for Portland.
Planning Commission adopts new zoning classification of Farm and Forest. Commission re-elects Myers President and Gustafson Vice-Chair.
07 City Council establishes Office of Neighborhood Associations.
08 LCDC conference call on budget. CIAC and LOAC status reviewed. See unpublished memo Ernie Bonner files.
19 State Highway Commission agrees to payment of overrun of $2,192.22 on studies into the cause of cracks in the west girder of the Fremont Bridge. --Hwy Commission Minutes.
State Highway Commission hears report from Mr. Barrie on the Mt. Hood Freeway case. "Barrie mentioned there were 12 issues in the complaint. Three were dismissed (claims 1, 2 & 6); the eighth claim was tried and lost. This issue was whether or not the State Highway Division was committed to the Division-Powell Corridor prior to the corridor hearing in May 1969. The Court found that the Commission, its officers and employees acted in good faith and there was no wrong doing or conscious subterfuge to come to an agreement with the City of Portland prior to the corridor hearing. The Court based its ruling on the eighth claim on a technical violation of a Federal Policy and Procedure Memorandum which the Court considered as being overlooked by all parties concerned, the change having occurred just prior to the corridor hearing. The change was in Federal Highway Administration PPM 20-8 which was amended in January 1969 to prohibit a state from being committed to a corridor prior to the corridor hearing. A final order has not yet been issued because of the remaining claims in the complaint. He stated that he felt some of these claims are moot because they also have to do with alleged deficiencies in the corridor hearing. The plaintiffs are contending that those issues still have to be tried in case the State appeals the eighth claim and wins because then the remaining issues would have to be tried. The court's decision rules out the design hearing scheduled for March and any further hardship acquisition, except those hardships which have already been approved by the Court. The State cannot get Federal participation in the hardship cases we have purchased unless the Division-Powell Corridor does become an approved corridor again. He stated it will be difficult to present the Division-Powell alternative on an equal level with other alternatives should a new corridor hearing be held. It does place upon the City of Portland the burden of initiating its planning and letting the State know what it wants. The City's hearing is set for February 26, 1974.
Mr. Barrie indicated that it might be 2 or 3 months before the Court would decide what to do with the other claims before it. Commissioner Mitchell asked that if the money was transferred to the mass transit corridor, would we have to go through the same process as the State does with corridor hearings, and does the Court decision affect their corridor. Mr. Barrie replied that he thought the State would have to have a new corridor hearing which would involve environmental impact studies." --Hwy Commission Minutes
21 Multnomah County Board of Commissioners votes to adopt resolution proposed by Commissioner Mel Gordon to withdraw their support for the Mt. Hood Freeway.
22 LCDC meeting at Pier Point Inn, Florence, OR. Day, Schell, Anderson, Bullier, Rudy and Smart present. Joint meeting with Oregon Coastal Conservation and Development Commission with regard to the transition under the Coastal Zone Act. Unpublished memo Ernie Bonner files.
March
Charles R. Jordan begins appointed term to City Commissioner #4
05 George "Bing" Sheldon elected President of Portland City Planning Commission
06 A. N. (Gus) Minden appointed to Portland City Planning Commission. Hardy Myers' resignation from the Planning Commission accepted.
15 Planning Commission approves Forest Park Estates zoning plan, with conditions
New LCDC staff: Herb Riley, Mel Lucas and Alan Hedberg.
Community workshop program adopted. Unpublished memo Ernie Bonner files.
19 Planning Commission presentation of possibility to save Foster Hotel with help from the Northwest Natural Gas and the Housing Authority.
20 City Council approves Johns Landing zone changes.
Commissioner McCready files resolution to form a task force to recommend procedures and guidelines for appointing persons to fill vacated elective offices in the city.
25 Detailed discussion by Planning Commission of the proposed Residential Care Facilities ordinance.
30 State Transportation Commission receives progress report on I-505 by Bob Bothman. "Mr. Bothman stated that approximately 10 years ago the Division recognized the problem in the northwest section of the City and developed a solution to widen Vaughn Street. However, prior to proceeding, the Division had added a section of the Interstate System in the northwest district, which became known as the Industrial Freeway I-505.
In 1972 a hearing was held in the City, which resulted in the City asking the Division to look at additional alternatives. The Division has been doing this for the past two years. The consultant work was completed in the Fall of 1973 and at that time, the Commission was given copies of the environmental impact statement showing five alternatives and the no build. These were shown with the environmental information which was recently given to the Commission. He stated that in October 1973 a hearing was held on these alternatives. The City of Portland asked the Division at their first hearing in December of 1973 to take another look at the Upshur Route (Alternative No. 1) with the thought of covering the entire route in order to make it palatable to the neighborhood groups.
After this was done, the City in January of 1974 confirmed their earlier decision to select the Short Yeon, Alternative No. 4. The Division staff then began a study of Alternative 4. The Division reviewed the consultant's No. 4, which caries the freeway traffic from the west end of the Fremont Bridge to 26th and Yeon, which shifts the traffic conditions that now exist at 21st and Thurman to 26th and Yeon.
The Division's analysis is that the consultant's proposal is not acceptable as it places excessive traffic on Industrial and Yeon Avenues. There are 13 railroad spurs on Yeon and approximately 40 crossings a day. This will run higher in the summer months.
A study was then made for other designs for the Short Yeon route within the 120 feet of right of way. There is not enough room for the railroad, for through lanes and a frontage road to meet safety requirements.
The next choice was to look at an elevated Yeon that was previously discussed at the Portland Planning Commission. This alternative meets all the criteria. It would handle traffic. It eliminates the through traffic and the heavy industrial traffic from mixing. It puts the railroad conflicts underneath the through traffic which solves the railroad problem.
Mr. Bothman indicated this proposal gives 120 feet under the freeway, which could be used to expand Yeon to four-lane should that be required, provide space for transit if desired and allow parking on the street. The Alternative No. 4 with the elimination of some but not all railroad conflicts would cost approximately $55 million, whereas a completely elevated Yeon in the right of way of the existing street (a variation of Alternative No. 3) would cost approximately $79 million.
Mr. Baldwin stated that this matter has been discussed with the Federal Highway Administration and they recognize the same problems with the Short Yeon as the State does. If the State were to accept the Short Yeon now, it would undoubtedly have to come back in a few years and go to something similar to the Long Yeon. Mr. Baldwin recommended that the State go back to the Portland City Council, explain what the Division has run into with this Short Yeon proposal, which the City had approved, suggest it reconsider its choice of a Short Yeon by considering an elevated Long Yeon." --Hwy Commission Minutes.
27 City Council adopts new Farm and Forest Zone, for application in Bridgeton-Faloma area.
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