Hillsdale NA

Hillsdale Neighborhood Association

Minutes of April 4, 2007

St. Barnabas Church

The meeting began at 7:03 p.m. and was chaired by vice president Duane Hunting. The minutes were recorded by Robert Hamilton.

The March minutes were unavailable for review and will be approved in May. Elections for HNA president and three other board members will be held at the June 6 meeting; nominations for the four positions will be made at the May 2 meeting.

Portland Police Officer Sterling Faral reported upon problems at the bus stop at Capitol Highway and Sunset in front of the ReMax office. Approximately 80-100 students board TriMet buses there from 3 to 5 p.m. and this has resulted in abuse of ReMax property defacement, an awning fire, sidewalk congestion, graffiti, a broken window, and the intimidation of students and pedestrians. Robert Hamilton reported upon earlier meetings at ReMax to discuss the problem which included Dave Hildreth of Wilson High School, Mike Roach of the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association, Michael Boyer of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, and others. A future meeting at WHS will include students. TriMet has been asked to modify their bus schedules in September to help alleviate the congestion by more timely arrivals and departures during the two hours of peak student ridership. WHS is monitoring the situation daily and has asked for Hillsdale residents for assistance. Many students apparently elect to loiter and chat with friends rather than taking the first bus available.

Mark Lear and Will Stevens of the Portland Department of Transportation explained the proposal by PDOT to install speed bumps on SW Chestnut and Vermont Streets from SW Terwilliger Boulevard to SW 25^th Avenue. PDOT proposes to pay for the speed bumps from their budget if 67 percent of the property owners along the streets agree with the proposal and it is also subsequently passed by a majority of the general membership of the HNA at a future monthly meeting. PDOT would like to complete the speed bump project by the summer of 2007. The proposal resulted in a lengthy and spirited discussion and question-and-answer session with Lear and Stevens, who provided a map showing the proposed location and the two types of speed bumps which would be installed as well as data which has convinced PDOT that a serious speeding problem exists and that speed bumps are the most efficacious way to effect “traffic calming”. Alternative proposals to reduce automobile speeds were made by members in attendance and included speed limit enforcement by police officers with radar guns, speed alert equipment, chicanes, and stop signs. PDOT will specifically invite property owners to another meeting soon to discuss the proposal again. The meeting will also be open to the public. Lear also noted that the city intends to proceed with the installation of specific missing sections of sidewalk along Chestnut and Vermont regardless of the fate of the speed bump project.

Michael Boyer of the Crime Prevention section of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement introduced himself and explained that he will be the neighborhood advocate for the Southwest quadrant of the city and the person to contact with crime-prevention concerns such as those relating to the bus stop at Capitol and Sunset.

Robert Hamilton reported on behalf of the HNA Transportation Committee that while some of the residents of Martha Street and Martha Court were in favor of making the former a one-way street for one block others were opposed and the advocates have decided to drop the proposal at this time. He also stated that he is working with Mark LeRoux of the SWHRL neighborhood to improve TriMet bus connections from Hillsdale via Council Crest to Northwest 23^rd and The Pearl district. TriMet is not positively inclined to change the services of Lines 51 and 55 without proof that it will become more profitable through increased ridership.

A representative of The Watershed at Hillsdale project reported that the tower will be constructed in May. Members raised questions regarding a variety of associated issues relating to the construction site and project: sidewalk replacement, the leasing of the commercial space (up to 3,700 square feet), the crosswalks and bus shelter at Bertha Court and 18^th Avenue, and the possibility of on-street off-peak-hour parking on Capitol Highway in Hillsdale. 

John Rising of 2008 SW Canby Street explained his proposal to partition his property and stated that it will not result in problems regarding trees or sewage. He does not plan to erect a wall nor to sell or build on the property, although he said he might sell a portion of it in the future. Arnie Panitch moved that the HNA membership approve the partition of the property on Canby as it was described by Rising. Vincent Pimont seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously by the membership.

The Mittelman Jewish Community Center has asked the City of Portland to waive the requirement that it build 70 parking spaces for bicycles at its facility and that it be reduced to 24 spaces.  Richard Garfinkle said that he will ask an MJCC representative to attend the May meeting of the HNA to explain their reasons for requesting the waiver.

Architect Mark Seder will report at the May HNA meeting on the results of his Hillsdale Plaza Charrette meetings. The written opinions left by participants are still being tallied. Wes Risher reported that three summer interns from the drafting class at Wilson High School will be working on the “way making” (signage) component of the plan with the architectural firm of ZGF and Greg Baldwin.

Arnie Panitch and Wes Risher reported that they met recently with PDOT and that progress is being made regarding the Stevens Creek Community Gardens. Fifteen plots with access to a water meter are being planned.

A TriMet hearing on Line 39 will be held at Templeton Student Center at Lewis & Clark College from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on April 17. TriMet reports that ridership is above 200 people per day Monday-Friday on the line that currently connects the L&C neighborhood and the Hillsdale commercial area and Wilson High School. Weekend ridership, however, has been disappointing and TriMet is soliciting resident’s suggestions for increasing it. The HNA discussion included suggestions which would change Line 39’s route to include downtown Portland offer L&C students and faculty an opportunity to use it rather than the current Raz shuttle, paid through student and parking fees. Participants in the hearing will be able to speak as well as to leave written comments and suggestions.

Holly Zimmerman reported that HNA residents purchased 31 new “Walk Safe” umbrellas and that HNA will receive 31 free umbrellas which can be sold and the proceeds used for HNA events. Additional umbrellas are purchaseable by HNA at $15 and can be sold for $20.

Daniel Ronan distributed Art Extravaganza flyers ahead of the April 21 event. It will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. and will have a $1 entrance fee.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.