Milwaukie NDA Friday Update – April 24, 2020

The Ardenwald-Johnson Creek Neighborhood Association will be relaying the City of Milwaukie NDA Friday Update on Ardenwald.org during the COVID-19 coranavirus pandemic.

From City of Milwaukie:

Hello neighborhood leaders and friends,

Be sure to check out the newest additions to the update this week including #1, #2, #3, and #6. In addition, there is a new Community Development Update, which is #8. The other information remains relevant, but it was included last week as well so you may have already checked it out.

Enjoy the weekend and take care!

What is the NDA Friday Update? This update is meant to provide timely information one time per week to community leaders like you who can then share this information with fellow board members and neighbors. The updates are also a good place to share information with other NDA leaders, so please feel free to submit information to include on future Friday Updates. 

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  1. NDA Meetings Using Zoom Begin for Some NDAs in May – NDAs giving it a try include Ardenwald-JC, Island Station, and Lewelling
  2. Speed Zone Changes Coming to Linwood Ave. – You won’t see new signs for a few weeks, but please read about the changes below.
  3. Review and Comment on the Document that Helps Track and Manage Regional Transportation Investments Called MTIP – Comment period is open until May 18
  4. Milwaukie Farmers Market Update – Market to open May 3, COVID-9/Coronavirus Operations Plan now available – No Community Booth included at this time
  5. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Updated Comprehensive Plan Tentatively Moved to June 2 – Public is invited to review the document and provide feedback in advance of the meeting.
  6. Upcoming City Meetings and Library Activities and How to Watch or Engage with Them Online– Check out all of the meetings and library activities coming up that you can watch or participate in online.  
  7. City Elections 2020 Update – Candidate information packet now available online – Two positions on City Council including Positions 1 and 3

Ongoing Friday Update Topics:

  • Community Development Update – Update to be sent in a future edition of the Friday Update! Until then you can keep up with projects around town, the Comprehensive Plan Update, and more at the links below.
  • An Ongoing List of Upcoming Events, Meetings and Opportunities – List not included due to cancellations of most events, but check the city web calendar for the latest information.
  1. NDA Meetings Using Zoom Begin for Some NDAs in May – NDAs Giving it a Try Include Ardenwald-JC, Island Station, and Lewelling

Three NDAs are planning to hold their regularly monthly meetings beginning in May using Zoom including Ardenwald-JC, Island Station, and Lewelling. I will be creating Zoom accounts for them next week. Thanks to everyone’s assistance with getting me the information that I need so far to create the account. I will be in touch once the accounts are created to plan for next steps. For all other NDAs, I will be sure to report back how it goes in May so that you can revisit the idea of meeting using Zoom if you would also like to give it a try in June or later, depending upon when we are able to resume in-person meetings in the future.

  • Speed Zone Changes Coming to Linwood Ave. – You won’t see news signs for a few weeks, but please read about the changes below.

A speed zone order for Linwood Ave. has been issued and is available on ODOT’s website. You should see new signs go up by the middle of May. For the first 30 days there will be flags above the signs to alert drivers about the change. 

You can find the order at the web site referenced above, but here is the speed change information summarized:  

  • SE Linwood Ave. from SE Railroad Ave./Se Harmony Rd. to SE Monroe St. – Designated Speed of 30
  • SE Linwood Ave. from SE Monroe St. to SE Johnson Creek Blvd. – Designated Speed of 30

If you would like to learn more about the Linwood Ave. SAFE Project visit https://www.milwaukieoregon.gov/engineering/linwood-avenue-safe-routes-school-srts.

  • Review and Comment on the Document that Helps Track and Manage Regional Transportation Investments Called MTIP – Comment period is open until May 18

Hello,

We hope this email finds you safe and well in this challenging time.

As you may know, many areas of Metro’s services and programs have been impacted and are evolving in response to our current conditions. However, we also continue to do the regional planning and coordination that supports our community and agency partners in their work. One of the important points of coordination is the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program, also known as the MTIP.

The MTIP is a federally required document that helps track and manage regionally significant transportation investments. The 2021-2024 MTIP includes 216 transportation projects and programs planned for greater Portland’s transportation system from 2021 to 2024.

We want to let you know that the draft 2021-2024 MTIP is available for public comment at: oregonmetro.gov/mtip2021-24. The public comment period will be open April 17 to May 18, 2020.

Take care,

Molly

Molly Cooney-Mesker
Senior community engagement specialist
Planning and Development

My gender pronouns: she, her, hers.

Why include this?

As a result of the temporary MRC closure to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, I am teleworking. I am available by email and phone.

Metro | oregonmetro.gov
600 NE Grand Ave.
Portland, OR 97232-2736

503-797-1906

  • Milwaukie Farmers Market Update – Market to open May 3, COVID-9/Coronavirus Operations Plan now available – No Community Booth included at this time

The Milwaukie Farmers Market has been actively researching and planning on how to safely offer a Farmers Market and open on the first Sunday in May as planned. The good news is that the market has developed a strategy, which was posted on the market’s web site on April 16 at https://milwaukiefarmersmarket.com/. Please check the market’s web site before you go to get the latest information available.

No Community Booth at this time:

In addition, I did want to highlight the fact that there will not be a Community Booth that the city typically provides volunteers for on the 2nd and 4th Sundays along with city information. I would have already sent out notice to sign up volunteers to staff the booth from our NDAs, boards, commissions, and committees, but I won’t be recruiting volunteers for later in the year until we know if a Community Booth will be included at any point this season.

You can find the Market’s Operations Plan in its entirety at: https://milwaukiefarmersmarket.com/coronavirus-response/

  • Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Updated Comprehensive Plan Tentatively Moved to June 2 – Public is invited to review the document and provide feedback in advance of the meeting.

Following over 2 years of work and public input, on March 10 the Milwaukie Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the city’s first major update to its Comprehensive Plan policy document in 30 years.

City Council will now consider the Commission’s recommendation at their June 2 public hearing. The Milwaukie community is now invited to provide comments on the policy document, which is available on the project website. The ordinance to amend the Comprehensive Plan will be available on the June 2 Council meeting page by May 26, and the staff report will be available by May 29. 

Note: June 2 has been identified by the city as the earliest potential meeting date to allow for in-person oral testimony, and is subject to change as well as social distancing and other public health measures. Any decision to hold an in-person City Council meeting will be based on guidance from Governor Brown and local and state health officials. The City Council believes that projects that have included as much public input and involvement as the Comprehensive Plan Update should ideally have an in-person public hearing. In the event that the current public health emergency extends into and beyond Summer 2020 and begins to hinder work to implement the Comprehensive Plan, the Council may elect to hold a virtual meeting (which it has done on March 17 and April 7).

How can I provide feedback?

The policy document is available for review here, and incorporates changes recommended by Planning Commission during their five public hearings in January-March 2020. Public comments are encouraged, including from those that submitted comments during the Planning Commissions public hearings. 

Comments may be provided any time prior to the public hearing via:

  • Email: Comments can be emailed to plan@milwaukieoregon.gov.
    • Note: the City will be preparing a matrix of public comments as an attachment in the June 2 meeting packet (similar to what was done during the Planning Commission public hearings), and City staff will provide responses to all comments that are received by midnight on Sunday, May 17. Comments submitted between May 18 and June 2 at noon will be forwarded to City Council, but will not be incorporated into the staff report. 
  • Mail: Mail comments to City of Milwaukie, Attn: Comprehensive Plan Update, 6101 SE Johnson Creek Blvd, Milwaukie, OR 97206 
  • Oral: There will be a public comment period during the June 2 public hearing, with individuals provided 3 minutes for oral testimony, either in-person or via an online portal. 

Have questions or want to submit comments? Contact David Levitan at plan@milwaukieoregon.gov.

Para más información en español, mande un email a espanol@milwaukieoregon.gov.

Want to learn more about the Comprehensive Plan Update? Visit the project website!

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

The Milwaukie Comprehensive Plan is the city’s primary land use planning document. It sets out a series of goals and policies that will guide growth and development in our community over the next 20 years. Oregon state law requires that all cities and counties adopt Comprehensive Plans that are consistent with the state’s 19 Statewide Planning Goals, which were established in 1973 by Oregon Senate Bill 100. The Comprehensive Plan is implemented through the Development Code, Land Division Code, and other city codes and ordinances.

Visit www.milwaukieplan.com for more information and the latest updates on the planning process.

  • Upcoming City Meetings and How to Watch or Engage with Them – Check out all of the meetings coming up that you can watch or participate in online.  

Now that we are over a month into the inability to hold city meetings, events, or activities in person, some meetings and activities are continuing to take place using a variety of tools to keep you connected including the City’s YouTube Channel, Comcast Cable Channel 30, an online video conferencing tool called Zoom and using email to submit comments. I will try to highlight those meetings and activities for you each week as they come online so that you can stay connected virtually if you would like to.

The meetings next week that will take place are listed below. Please read how to engage with each meeting if you would like to do so.

  • Planning Commission – Tuesday, April 28 (6:30 p.m.)
    • Watch using YouTube or on Comcast Channel 30 within city limits. P
    • Provide written comments via email either before or during the meeting (Keep in mind that providing them before the meeting ensures that they will be provided to the Planning Commission ahead of time.).
    • Provide oral comments during the meeting via Zoom. You just need to send an email before the meeting to register and receive the link to the Zoom meeting.
    • Learn more at www.milwaukieoregon.gov/bc-pc/planning-commission-49.
  • Online Dana Haynes Presentation – Thursday, April 30 (7-8 p.m.)
    • Dana Haynes presents on his most two recent books and the challenges of staff working on a newspaper online. A Q & A will follow. Contact Robert Lanxon at lanxonr@milwaukieoregon.gov to attend this online presentation.
  • City Elections 2020 Update – Candidate information packet now available online – Two positions on City Council including Positions 1 and 3

The candidate information packet for the 2020 general election is now available online, see link below. The November 3, 2020, general election will feature two positions on the Milwaukie City Council – Positions 1 and 3. The candidate filing window is July 27 through August 25.

If you have any questions, please contact the City Elections Officer at ocr@milwaukieoregon.gov or at 503-786-7502.

www.milwaukieoregon.gov/elections

Ongoing Friday Update Topics:

  • Community Development Update – As of April 20, 2020.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/HOUSING

Construction Excise Tax (CET)

Staff launched a business relief fund to provide grants to small businesses affected by COVID-19 impacts. This fund is supported by, and will be allocated from, the $130,000 economic development program revenue within the commercial CET tax collected. Over 100 applications were received and are being evaluated based on meeting minimum eligibility requirements and prioritized to businesses directly impacted by Governor Executive Orders 20-07 and 20-12 “Stay Home, Save Lives.” Staff anticipate notifications to first grant recipients by April 24.

Business Outreach and Resources

  • Staff continue to compile federal, state, and local resources for businesses.

Sparrow Property

  • No new updates, staff still expecting to explore an extension of the Remedial Action Plan deadline with DEQ and are still awaiting a response to our technical assistance grant to Business Oregon. 

Pond House

  • Inspections were completed for the Pond House and the final price of $440,000 was negotiated to account for some necessary safety repairs meeting the minimum requirement set by Council. The transaction is expected to close by April 30.

PLANNING

Comprehensive Plan Update

The City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing June 2, 2020 to consider the Planning Commission’s March 10 recommendation for adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.  An updated draft of the plan, incorporating the Planning Commission’s proposed changes, was uploaded to the project website on April 9. The City is now accepting public comments on the updated draft, and will include a summary of those comments in the June 2 meeting packet.  The City Council has expressed a desire to hold the public hearing in an open meeting rather than on-line, so please check the project website in advance to ensure the hearing will be held on June 2.

  • On March 13, a Request for Qualifications was posted on the city’s bid page for Phase 1 implementation of the Comprehensive Plan as it relates to housing, tree protection, and parking, as well as implementation of House Bill 2001.  Given delays related to the Covid-19 shut-downs, the response deadline was extended to May 1.
  • On April 14, the Planning Commission held a work session to discuss the work program for implementation of the draft Comprehensive Plan.   The discussion focused on elements related to housing and natural resources.

Land Use/Development Review

City Council

  • On April 7, the City Council approved an amended application for a five-lot subdivision in the Island Station Neighborhood. The proposed Elk Rock Estates development was originally proposed as a 12-unit natural resource cluster development.  All five lots will take access directly from 19th Ave.

Planning Commission

  • On April 28, 2020, the Planning Commission will hold two public hearings. The first hearing will be for a major modification to the parking and loading configuration at Ardenwald Elementary School (CSU-2020-001). The second hearing will address an application for a 6-lot subdivision on Railroad Ave (S-2018-001).
  • CU-2020-001 – An application for conditional use approval has been submitted to establish a vacation rental at 10707 SE Riverway Ln. The application has been deemed complete, with a public hearing scheduled with the Planning Commission for May 12.

Design and Landmarks Committee

  • The May 4 meeting of the DLC has been canceled, while staff and the code-writing consultant continue work on a revised draft of proposed amendments to the Downtown Design Review code. At the moment, staff anticipates holding a virtual meeting with the group on June 1.

Keep up with projects around town, the Comprehensive Plan Update, and more at the links below.

Community Development:

Projects:

Planning:

  • Visit the Planning homepage at www.milwaukieoregon.gov/planning to find links to the Community Vision, Comprehensive Plan Update, Preapplication Conference Reports, Submitted Applications and Public Notices, Planning Department FAQs, Resources for Development Review, and What’s My Zoning?

Engineering:

  • Visit the Engineering homepage at www.milwaukieoregon.gov/engineering to find links to Safe Access For Everyone (SAFE), Street Surface Maintenance Program (SSMP), Asphalt Pavement Overlay, South Downtown Improvements, and more.
  • Upcoming Events, Meetings and Other Opportunities

Please refer to the City Calendar for the most up to date and complete list of upcoming City/Library events, meetings, and other opportunities.

Note for reader: This is an informational email that is sent to Milwaukie’s Neighborhood District Association (NDA) leaders and other interested parties each Friday.  The content of this email is prepared by the Community Programs Coordinator at the City of Milwaukie and is meant to inform NDA leaders who can then share this information with their neighborhood.  Some information contained within may not be sponsored or supported by the City of Milwaukie, but may impact the city’s neighborhoods and residents, which is the reason it is included in this update.

JASON WACHS

Community Engagement Coordinator
o: 503.786.7568
City of Milwaukie
10722 SE Main St • Milwaukie, OR 97222