A rumor is circulating that the owner of the old Roth auto lot on the northwest corner of MLK and Tillamook has leased to a sex superstore operator who is planning a 24-hour operation at the site.  Historically, such uses that are allowed by zoning (this is) and that don’t require any building exceptions (this may not), are impossible to stop.  Nevertheless, neighbors in Eliot and Irvington are exploring options to stop the lease.

Continue reading Land Use and Transportation Update for Spring 2011

Portland Plan

The Portland Plan process continues.  Of most interest to Eliot is the Central City Plan process embedded within the larger process.  It will evaluate and potentially change zoning among other things.  The current focus is the NE quadrant of the central city that includes the Rose Quarter, Lloyd District, Lower Albina, and portions of Eliot along Broadway and between Williams and I-5.  The process has two parts.  The first is planning revisions to I-5 between I-84 and the Fremont Bridge.  The second is the usual review of land use and zoning.  There is a citizens advisory panel assisting with the process.  Many on the panel believe the process is dominated by interests who want to widen I-5 without considering neighborhood impacts.  They are warily watching transportation interests to blunt that threat, however, there are serious issues with this section of the freeway that will complicate future development in the Rose Quarter and the Broadway corridor associated with the new streetcar line.  Not much has happened after three advisory panel meetings but the next meeting in January is expected to begin the review of freeway options where things should get more substantive AND interesting.