The Albina Fuel Company is moving from its location at Broadway and 33rd Avenue. The company will be selling the property and in anticipation of better market value, the company is seeking a change in the zoning classification for the property. Currently the property is zoned general industrial. The proposed zoning is to designate a small strip of land, along Broadway as ?“Commercial Storefront?” and the remainder of the site, to be designated ?“Employment.?” The employment zone is a very broad designation that permits industrial and commercial uses as well as some residential.
There is no specific developer and there are no specific plans so it is hard to get excited about this change. But the time for careful consideration is NOW. If you recall, there was very little interest in the Hollywood/Sandy Plan until the library proposal was unveiled. Fortunately, the library project occurred while there was still time to make changes to the Hollywood/Sandy Plan. We need to carefully examine all the possibilities. And also remember, a change in zoning does not allow one to determine the type of business that chooses to settle here. For example, ?“Storefront Commercial?” zoning would allow either a large retail chain or an owner operated boutique. They are both considered retail uses.
There are positive and negative aspects to this proposal. Some thoughts to keep in mind are as follows:
Landmark - Many residents think of this intersection as the primary entry into our neighborhood. The type of building or business that goes here is important to us.
Height - The new zoning permits greater building height. This would not occur along Broadway but further back near the freeway. The article in the Hollywood Star indicates a 100 ft tower may be part of the plans. The actual land use application does not specify any actual height.
Traffic - Many of the possible uses for this site would increase traffic flow. Congestion is already a problem at this intersection. Some uses will have a greater impact; some occupancies generate more automobile trips than others. Some occupancies may mean more truck traffic.
Industrial Zone - Keep in mind, the current site is zoned ?“Industrial.?” Albina Fuel has been a good neighbor and has not negatively impacted our community. But, if the zoning remains unchanged, we don?’t know who our next neighbor could be. There are a lot of industrial activities that would not be desirable. Heavy trucks, noxious fumes, noise ?– there are many potential downsides to maintaining the current zoning.
The Process There will be two public hearings. A staff report and recommendation will be available 10 days before the hearing. The first hearing is in front of a Land Use Hearing Officer and is scheduled for January 8 at 9:30 am at 1900 SW 4th Avenue. (This meeting time may change; verify ahead of time if you are planning to attend.) This hearing will record all opinions from staff, neighborhood associations, the applicants, the applicant?’s representatives and residents. You may express your opinion at this hearing or submit written testimony to be entered into the record. I plan to attend and I am going to request that the record be left open so that Grant Park Neighborhood Association may submit testimony after our general meeting that same evening.
The 2nd hearing will be in front of City Council and the Hearing Officer will make a recommendation to City Council based on the earlier meeting. To be notified of the City Council hearing, you must have submitted testimony at the first hearing. The neighborhood association may not have the time to get a notice of this hearing out to the community. The best way to stay current with this issue is to log on to neighborhoodlink.com. We have a web site here and this is a discussion item. Please make comments. We can all gain from a thoughtful discussion of this issue.
There is no specific developer and there are no specific plans so it is hard to get excited about this change. But the time for careful consideration is NOW. If you recall, there was very little interest in the Hollywood/Sandy Plan until the library proposal was unveiled. Fortunately, the library project occurred while there was still time to make changes to the Hollywood/Sandy Plan. We need to carefully examine all the possibilities. And also remember, a change in zoning does not allow one to determine the type of business that chooses to settle here. For example, ?“Storefront Commercial?” zoning would allow either a large retail chain or an owner operated boutique. They are both considered retail uses.
There are positive and negative aspects to this proposal. Some thoughts to keep in mind are as follows:
Landmark - Many residents think of this intersection as the primary entry into our neighborhood. The type of building or business that goes here is important to us.
Height - The new zoning permits greater building height. This would not occur along Broadway but further back near the freeway. The article in the Hollywood Star indicates a 100 ft tower may be part of the plans. The actual land use application does not specify any actual height.
Traffic - Many of the possible uses for this site would increase traffic flow. Congestion is already a problem at this intersection. Some uses will have a greater impact; some occupancies generate more automobile trips than others. Some occupancies may mean more truck traffic.
Industrial Zone - Keep in mind, the current site is zoned ?“Industrial.?” Albina Fuel has been a good neighbor and has not negatively impacted our community. But, if the zoning remains unchanged, we don?’t know who our next neighbor could be. There are a lot of industrial activities that would not be desirable. Heavy trucks, noxious fumes, noise ?– there are many potential downsides to maintaining the current zoning.
The Process There will be two public hearings. A staff report and recommendation will be available 10 days before the hearing. The first hearing is in front of a Land Use Hearing Officer and is scheduled for January 8 at 9:30 am at 1900 SW 4th Avenue. (This meeting time may change; verify ahead of time if you are planning to attend.) This hearing will record all opinions from staff, neighborhood associations, the applicants, the applicant?’s representatives and residents. You may express your opinion at this hearing or submit written testimony to be entered into the record. I plan to attend and I am going to request that the record be left open so that Grant Park Neighborhood Association may submit testimony after our general meeting that same evening.
The 2nd hearing will be in front of City Council and the Hearing Officer will make a recommendation to City Council based on the earlier meeting. To be notified of the City Council hearing, you must have submitted testimony at the first hearing. The neighborhood association may not have the time to get a notice of this hearing out to the community. The best way to stay current with this issue is to log on to neighborhoodlink.com. We have a web site here and this is a discussion item. Please make comments. We can all gain from a thoughtful discussion of this issue.
