News & Events - Details

As school starts, it seems that our neighborhood families have become revitalized-like the coming of a new year. I thought it would be good to give our neighbors a thumb nail sketch of recent and pending activities affecting our NAC . Our area of interest or �sphere of influence� is generally north of TV Highway, south (and partially north) of the Sunset Freeway and easterly of 185^th (although the NAC is always looking at what�s going on to the west as part of the city�s eventual concept of encouraging annexations west of 185^th within the Beaverton School District --generally speaking). Our eastern boundary is more difficult to define, although Murray Blvd. appears suitable to many. Our formal boundaries are set by the city council as are all 11 other NACs in the city. All will agree that a significant amount of urban development activity and urban policy development is occurring which affects our neighborhoods-Salix Terrace, Cambray, Autumn Ridge, Weybridge, Woodmere, Stonegate, Waterhouse, BlueLeaf, Waterleaf, Watercrest. Artesian, and many other residential and business areas, including our immediate neighbors not currently within the city but active within our NAC -such as Tannesborne; Heritage Park; Meadow Park; NIKE; IBM; portions of the Greenbrier Campus and offices around the Bethany interchange; areas around our light rail station areas including Willow Creek (185^th), Elmonica, Merlo, Beaverton Creek; and neighbors near Beaver Acres School, Pheasant Park and the Nature Park.

As you can see our NAC is one of the largest and most active NACs in the city. We must also be aware of policies and development activities occurring within county jurisdiction areas which affect our NAC interests. We are surrounded by three county citizen participation organizations (CPO�s)-Aloha (CPO 6), Tanasborne/Oak Hills/West Union/Bethany (CPO 7) and Cedar Mill/Cedar Hills (CPO 1). Areas within the city are referred to as CPO 2. Our Mayor, Rob Drake, also advocates that city policy should be applied to nearby developing, unincorporated areas such as new Urban Growth Boundary adjustments around Portland Community College and rapidly urbanizing areas within the West Slope. Under agreements with surrounding governments, these areas area likely to annex into the city in the future.

Other special relationships to the NAC include the development community and special districts such as the Beaverton Schools, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Tualatin Valley Water District, Clean Water Services (formally Unified Sewerage Agency). The primary purpose of the NAC is to encourage �citizens� at the local level to be involved in the planning process which occurs at the local, sub-county, county, sub-regional, regional (METRO), state and federal. If your interest or expertise lies within one of these levels you can be a valuable informational source within our NAC and your neighborhood. As we all know �planning� takes in the world and virtually all its affairs. As the issue becomes more local, one is more likely to feel that she or he can have some impact on the decision-making process.

�You can�t fight city hall� is a trite excuse for one who feels strongly about something but unwilling to invest some time and energy to become involved. The NAC is like a combination of our local PTOs covering elementary schools our children attend (Beaver Acres, Elmonica, McKinley, Barnes, among others)-it can significantly influence local politics, but is only as effective as its members participation. Currently there is no one on the City Council or Planning Commission who lives in our NAC area. If you think that our councilors and commissioners are representing our or your interests, check out their actions and adopted policies. Some may be pleased, some may be aghast. Our recent Mayor�s Walking Tour (August 21^st) revealed that all is not in synch, including philosophies between city and county officials. More importantly, are their thoughts and positions in synch with the majority interests of the NAC? The NAC�s �position� is hard to determine because of its ever changing membership. However, our City Council and Planning Commission formally recognizes the NAC as a conduit to its citizens-one way of reaching and communicating with citizens and receiving citizen input.

The NAC does have an opportunity to influence city policy early in the process before minds are made up. However, this requires the NAC to become involved in long range planning. Its too late once the �unwanted� development proposal in your back yard is in front of the Board of Design Review for approval. At that point, the proposal usually meets most city requirements. Over the last two years the city has been updating our Comprehensive Plan (the city�s long range planning). It has recently finished updating the city�s Transportation System Plan which will now be implemented into policy. Our NAC also tries to participate in county planning that affects our area, development of plans such as the Sunset West Community Plan, the Cedar Mill Town Center Plan. Right now, the county�s 1988 transportation plan is being updated. METRO is updating the region�s plan (known as the 2040 Reengagement). Last year METRO adopted its Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) which by law has prompted our city and county to update theirs.

Following is a brief overview of planning activities from the regional level down to the NAC level. Discussion starts with Metro, then Wa. Co. policies and private development in the NAC area and then city policy and private projects within the NAC. As can be seen, the area within the NAC and areas just outside city limits but within the NAC�s sphere of interest are rapidly developing and issues of livability constantly become a focal point. The NAC has first hand experience with how the city�s development codes and policies influence development. The NAC has been concerned that the city�s policies do not appear to assure quality development and that the long term view of livability is in question. On the other hand the NAC has continued to support the concept of community development and progressive views in concert with the development community.

Regional (METRO)

Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

Metro adopted this plan in July 2000 and becomes the basis for the required updates of the county�s and city�s plans (TSPs). The goal of the RTP is to reduce peak period travel and single occupancy vehicle (SOV) activities to reduce highway congestion, while increasing the use transit, bicycle, pedestrian travel modes. The RTP also relies on the concept of providing a balance of housing/employment throughout the region to reduce commuting needs. Levels of service (LOS) along our arterials are expected to decrease and become more congested during peak period travel unless we change our way. The RTP generally mandates that our �measure of performance� along our arterials near Town Centers, Light Rail corridors and other major corridors be relaxed (re: reduce expected performance from LOS D during peak travel periods to E/F). The Beaverton City Council and Planning Commission has expressed reservations about this approach and their ability to condition development approvals to maintain acceptable (LOS D) peak period travel conditions. Watch for changes to the city�s Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element and development codes over the next year or two. Until it is implemented the city�s recently updated TSP carries no legal authority, although it does provide a basis for the city�s capital improvement/budgeting process, since it (the TSP) is a recognized study.

Region 2040 Reengagement

Our legislature requires Metro to undertake a review of the region�s buildable land inventory every 5 years to meet growth needs for housing (and indirectly employment). This reengagement is underway and expected to conclude in the Fall of 2002 (as required by State Law). Certainly this planning affects all aspects of regional planning (transportation, land use, environmental protection, capital improvement/government facilities, etc.). Metro is also required to reach out to its citizens to determine the public�s view. We are hearing questions like �Do we want to grow out or grow inward (infill/redevelopment)?� How do we want to get from here to there and move our goods? How should we protect and enhance populations, such as endangered salmon species as required by the state and federal government? Metro wants to hear from you. Log onto their Website. Participate in �Coffee Talks�. Write to your councilor, Susan McLain (797-1553). Participate in the spring 2002 conference being planned. Ask your planning commissioners and city councilors/ county commissioners to express their views in public forums. It is up to the citizens of the region to determine their destiny. Think about this while you are stuck in traffic, walking along the stream or wondering about the new housing project coming into your area. Once Metro adopts its update in the fall of 2002, local governments will need to reexamine their policies. Growth Centers: the primary component of our region�s current 2040 strategy is to grow �inward� within regional centers (such as Washington Square, downtown Beaverton), town centers (such as Tanasborne, Cedar Mill, Murray Hill), Light Rail Station Area Communities ( such as Orenco, Elmonica, Willow Creek/185^th, Beaverton Creek, Millikan), Main Streets and corridors (such as Cornell). According to recent Metro research under contract, these planned centers are not developing as quickly or as densely as anticipated. The �Centers� Scenario is being discussed with our local elected officials at Metro�s MPAC (Policy Advisory Committee). Some key questions being offered by Metro staff to the committee are:

2. Are there employment sectors that the region should be pursuing to locate in centers?

5. What is the connection between the region�s goals and strategies for development of Centers versus expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary?

Are our growth centers really attracting growth to take pressure off the URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY? See Metro Staff notes under Metro 2040 Reengagement discussion, above.

Salmon Recovery (Goal 5)

Part of Metro�s update of the Region 2040 include an examination and development of new policies geared to protecting our natural environment. Foremost right now is the protection of our riparian and upland environs to increase the potential to aid in the recovery of our Salmon and other threatened wildlife. Some of the strategy will be discussed this fall and winter as the mapping of sensitive areas is underway. Contact Metro if you want to know what the plans are for your neighborhood stream. Our city has already received maps from Metro staff for review. Metro staff and policy bodies are discussing the level of public involvement prior to final decision making this coming fall/winter.

METRO Reorganization

Metro will reorganize into six new districts and elections will occur Fall 2002. We will also elect the �President�. The Executive position now held by Mike Burton will be phased out to comply with the revised Charter approved by voters. Susan McLain�s District (our area) will not significantly change.

MTIP (Road funding)

Federal transportation funding periodically approved by Congress will amount to roughly $39 Million this biennium. Metro and JPACT have just finished deciding how the money will be spent in our region. About � of the funds must be spent for non-vehicular programs (air quality enhancement through bikeway and sidewalk construction, improved transit, transportation demand management, etc.). The other half can be allocated to all modes of transportation as determined by the region. The projects to be funded in Wa. Co. include:

Additional projects were submitted for consideration (such widening of Farmington Rd. [Murray Rd. area] and Cornell [Sunset H.S. to Saltzman/Barnes]) but did not meet the cuts. Metro and JPACT established criteria to met regional planning goals to promote growing in rather than out. There are other funding sources to maintain and improve Wa. Co. roads, etc. In addition to the gas tax, our county will receive about $20Million from the licensing fee increases approved by the Legislature (Rep. Starr) and residences in our county also pay into a road fund (MSTIP) known as the Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program (see discussion under county below). Contact your County Commissioner, Dick Schouten or John Leeper (846- 8681) to find out more about these two programs and how projects are selected. Currently the county staff is recommending significant percentages of available funding to be spent toward widening US 26 with new or improved interchanges, improving the I-5/Nyberg interchange (to improve access into the Tualatin employment sanctuary west of the freeway), improving TV Hwy/209^th intersection, extending Murray Blvd. to connect with Tigard�s Walnut St., widening Hall and Greenburg Rd. in Tigard.

Green Ribbon Openspaces Committee

As a result of passage of a regional bond measure, Metro has purchased many important open space properties throughout the region. However, no funds were set aside for improvement or maintenance/operation. A committee has been formed to come up with a priority listing of holdings that the public would support for improvement, likely from another bond measure.

County-wide

Legislative

Sunset West Community Plan

Cedar Mill Town Center Plan

Many areas within our NAC�s �Sphere of Influence� are under county jurisdiction, not yet annexed into the city. County policies affecting these areas affect our NAC neighborhoods and livability. Some would say that the County has less stringent planning policies than the city, or that the city does more detailed planning in our neighborhoods than the county. Others would say that it depends upon the area in question and the interests of property owners. Many of us would also say that we don�t do enough planning in the area and that our standards are not high enough to maintain a quality development atmosphere. Within our areas under the county�s jurisdiction, land use and transportation policies are established through the Sunset West Community Plan and the Cedar Mill Town Center Plan. Additional ordinances have been written to address development expectations around our Light Rail Station Areas, including Ordinances #483, 485 and 486, October 97 accessible on the county�s website). These ordinances establish basic land use designations in a certain location with min/max density or land use intensity (floor area ratio), parking requirements, minimum development standards, road standards and future road pattern parameters.

Unfortunately, the standards do not dictate the highest standards possible. Generally, citizen involvement and politics can play an important role in encouraging good development, but the �developer� is only obligated to meet the minimum standards-hence the importance of being involved in the periodic long range planning process in the city and county.

Title 3 (Storm Water/Water Quality in Streams)

The Title 3 development review regulatory process applies to both city and county areas and addresses storm water runoff and water quality enhancement and protection in our riparian areas within about 50 feet of streams and water bodies. Generally, city and county staff apply the same standards adopted by Clean Water Services (Unified Sewerage Agency) in the spring of 2000, as mandated by our Metro government. These standards are integrated into our flood protection needs.

Watersheds 2000/Healthy Streams Plan

In addition to Title 3 the county has undertaken additional planning to comply with the federal Clean Water Act, Salmon Recovery mandates, National Discharge and Elimination of Surface Water and Pollution Systems (NDEPS), agricultural and forestry practices acts and other regulatory policies affecting the public and private use of our water resources. Clean Water Services is coordinating an integrated water resources planning process, addressing how we use and dispose of our water resources (including storm water) in a manner to protect our natural resources, with a focus on protection and enhancement of our riparian areas, our ground water and storm water systems. Right now, there is a lot of emphasis on salmon recovery strategies within a framework of limited or finite water resources. In response to the Governor�s call for habitat preservation and recovery statewide (i.e. Salmon), a voluntary group of public agencies (federal, state, regional, local, etc.) and non-profits has been in existence for a number years undertaking similar efforts; it is known as the Tualatin River Watershed Council. Their accomplishments occur through the individual agencies and through participating non-profit organizations such as the Tualatin Riverkeepers, Oregon Trout, citizen participation organizations (CPO�s). If you are an �environmentalist� and want to know how well we are doing, contact the Riverkeepers or Oregon Trout. If you want the latest governmental response, contact CWS.

Transportation System Plan Updated from 1988

As the city recently completed its transportation study this summer, the county has initiated its as well. The county commissioners have formed a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and an interagency advisory group (its city partners) to participate in the update. The CAC meets monthly or more frequently and will be encouraged to complete its recommendations this fall. The county staff will be recommending policies for public hearings late this fall. The county�s transportation needs are being projected to Year 2020, based upon the county Land Use Plan and Metro�s 2040 Plan and Regional Transportation Plan, adopted July 2000. Citizen advisory groups are being encouraged to participate and offer views and recommendations.

The county staff and consultant have prepared at least four different scenarios in response to projected transportation needs based upon our land use plans. It is assumed that our current transportation system improvements will not adequately support projected growth and development in the county. One alternative would focus on freeways and highways, another alternative would place emphasis on arterials; a third concept would improve �connectivity� of our current arterial and local street system; and a fourth alternative would be a combination of various improvements that to improve the system. These alternatives were modeled to determine how well they perform in reducing projected peak period travel congestion (i.e. the morning commute and the afternoon 4pm-7pm). Certain assumptions were included that reduce single occupancy vehicle (SOV) peak period trips. The �solution� is expected to cost between $400M to $1.9Billion, with no funding source. Additional funding would be required for some grade-separated intersections (such as a Murray Bld. fly over TV Hwy and the R/R tracks , etc).

Last spring, members of our NAC presented detailed recommendations for improvements within our �sphere� area to the city�s Transportation Commission. These same concepts should be discussed by the group and a recommendation should be forwarded to our county commissioners representing our area (Schouten and Leeper). Of significance are our arterials (such as Cornell, Walker, Baseline, 158^th/Merlo, 170/173^rd, 185^th) which are under the county�s jurisdiction. The city currently defers planning for these arterials to the county. The city has identified their recommended classifications and improvements for the county-maintained streets in the recent TSP, but the NAC has not been satisfied with the outcome. The county staff�s current posture in transportation planning appears to be (in my opinion) to project needs based upon current vehicle usage patterns and expect it to significantly increase and that all of the through streets will require significant widening-collector streets (arterials/collectors) from 3 to 5 lanes, widen all freeways, increase interchange capacity, provide subsidies to employers to encourage carpools and other forms of transit, etc.

The NAC themes of livability, traffic calming and specially designed streets to discourage unnecessary through traffic and speeding are not receiving staff support. Their theory is we need to design the roads to accommodate the projected growth and not concentrate traffic toward or through one area of the county to the detriment of another. Our NAC agrees but argues that it already receives an unreasonable concentration of commuter trips (through our NAC, not TO our NAC) because of the proliferation of employers in Hillsboro (hi-tech and ancillary industries/businesses/offices). Our current national and regional recession has significantly altered the traditional traffic congestion because of numerous employer layoffs in our area. However in the past, this traffic was coming from another part of our region (Portland and areas to the east and south), reflecting a jobs/housing imbalance. This imbalance has been dramatically illustrated during peak period traffic conditions along the Sunset Freeway. Both directions are equally congested. Major hi-tech employers have not situated their job centers where they could be transit supported. The land use patterns require SOV travel patterns. In the meantime traditional employment centers in Portland go wanting for employers who have located in the suburbs.

Its understandable that our NAC is upset being caught in the commuter triangle. Arterials and freeways cannot be widened to �build out� of our congestion. These methods of transportation only INDUCE urban sprawl, putting excessive pressure on our urban growth boundary. Look at Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Seattle, Atlanta, Minneapolis, etc. Emphasis needs to be placed upon non-SOV solutions. Let your Mayor and County Commissioners hear your feelings. They are directing the staff �s analysis and recommendations.

MSTIP and State funding (also see Metro MTIP above)

Over the last decade, the voters of Wa. Co. have agreed to tax themselves in order to raise money to improve our transportation system (MSTIP means Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program). There were three such bond approvals and recent state legislation enabled the county to continue the collection of taxes for general purposes. MSTIP Phases 1,2 and 3 are progressing and we see street widening projects throughout our community. The next MSTIP project slated for our NAC area is the improvement of a corridor referred to as the 170^th/173^rd link from Baseline Road to Walker Road. The county is also considering using MSTIP funds for the Commuter Rail project (county share is roughly $50M) and the widening of US 26 (Sunset) from Murray to 185^{th. .}

The long range goal of the county is to enhance north-south county circulation. Such corridors being considered include 99W, SR 217, Murray, 158^th/Merlo, 170/173, 185^th, Cornelius Pass Road, even the former �West Side Bypass Freeway.� Recent examples of widening include the planned improvement of 170^th from Alexander south to Hart Road; Brookwood Dr. (Hillsboro, from Baseline to Cornell Road); Cedar Hills Blvd. from Barnes Rd. (Peterkort Center) to Cornell Rd; Hocken from Millikan to Jenkins through the Tek Campus. The county also wants to focus on east-west commuter routes such as TV Hwy widening, Baseline/Jenkins (look at new link from 185^th to 206^th, crossing Beaverton Creek), Walker Road, Cornell Road from 185^th to the Bethany interchange, and then Cornell from Trail (Sunset HS) to Saltzman/Barnes. In South Beaverton, Hart Road widening from Murray to 170^th will be underway this fall. If you are concerned about how the county and city go about widening existing roads and establishing new routes through established neighborhoods as exhibited by the recent improvements, then you need to become more involved within your CPO and NAC. Many neighbors want more and better traffic calming improvements on local streets throughout their neighborhood and along some of these collectors and arterials. Some parents feel that our children are not safe around our Elementary and Middle School sites.

An example of a successful traffic-calming solution applied to an existing arterial was the extension of Allen Ave. at Murray west to tie into Davis/Oak Road. This approximate 1 mile corridor has about a dozen speed bumps and a narrow curb to curb width to tell drivers slower speeds (25 mph) are expected through the established neighborhood. In addition, a traffic signal was installed in front of Chehalem Elementary School that was complimented with a raised landscaped median, enhanced crosswalks, sidewalks separated from the street by street trees and extensive signage and street markings. It is clear that the school�s entry is a special place where the driver must pay extra attention to the neighborhood activities. Now, as part of the 170^th widening project, the county plans to extend this Davis Road improvement, but in a dramatically different design-3 lanes wide with a curb to curb width of least 48� to 52�. In the future, the street section could easily be restriped to FOUR lanes of traffic with speeds over 40 mph. This is NOT what our NAC envisions as a compatible, aesthetic, livable �ARTERIAL� through an existing single family subdivision, with homes fronting the street.

Our 170^th Ave. widening extension is projected to carry over 11,000 cars a day. Currently 173^rd around Lisa carries about 3,000 to 6,000 trips daily (or about 400 to 600 cars per hour during the peak travel period and around the time school lets out-3pm-4:30pm). Generally, over the last two years it has been discussed, our NAC generally prefers the idea of extending 170^th from Baseline back into 173^rd just south of the Waterhouse Creek (so. of Walker) and that 170^th would be a narrow two lane curb to curb improvement about 28� wide (not 52 feet with three travel lanes and two bike lanes envisioned by the city and county staff); our concept would disallow on-street parking and accommodate a north-bound bike lane. The narrow curb to curb width would slow traffic to 25 mph, particularly if speed bumps were included every 300 to 400 near Elmonica Elementary. The group also envisions 173^rd to be improved to its ultimate urban improvement and speeds reduced to 25 mph. We also felt that 173^rd should be extended south of Baseline and go over the MAX tracks and eventually tie back into 170^th Avenue near Merlo Road intersection with 170^th. This would evenly distribute traffic between 170^th and 173^rd between Merlo Road and Walker Road, rather than concentrating all the traffic toward 170^th. The county vision of a �through� north/south route from Sherwood to the Rock Creek PCC campus would be achieved but remain considerate of the existing, quiet, single family neighborhoods it would traverse. Further, slowing traffic from 35-40mph to 25mph through existing homes, would not adversely affect auto driver�s convenience more than a minute. It is also important that the neighborhoods become vocal with the city and county and remind your elected officials that the 170^th corridor really doesn�t go anywhere. 185^th and 158^th/Merlo DO GO somewhere-i.e. to the Tanasborne Center and the Bethany freeway interchange, respectively. Why should our neighborhoods take on unnecessary added commuter and shopping traffic that should be using these REAL arterials? These affected neighborhoods are almost completely built out and are not contributing to the increased county-wide traffic. Protect our neighborhoods from encroachment by designing streets to force 25mph speeds; build all the street systems out to promote connectivity and the dispersal of traffic congestion (i.e. extending 173^rd through the Elmonica Light Rail Station Area).

These type of transportation strategies will change a driver�s habit. Also some drivers rethink their commuter lifestyle when travel becomes less convenient. We can also encourage major employers such as Intel, Nike, IBM, etc. to require their employees to carpool or take transit -and by intensifying the density of their campus near light rail stops, rather than looking for big tracts of land along the Sunset Freeway at Cornelius Pass Road or in North Plains or Banks, Oregon.

Can you think of an elementary school, middle or high school where traffic calming is needed along the adjoining and nearby streets. This is a part of our NAC�s neighborhood planning effort and an illustration of traffic planning which must be undertaken within the MSTIP process in addition to the improvement our county wide traffic links. We also want MSTIP to focus upon development and redevelopment of transportation links for autos, pedestrians and bikers around our light rail station areas (Beaverton Creek, Merlo, Elmonica, Willow Creek/185^th).

The county (or possibly the city) will be undertaking studies and engineering during the next few years to extend 170^th Avenue from Baseline to Walker Road (tying back into 173^rd near Walker Road). Again, the county and city staff have insisted that the road must be an �arterial� with 3 lanes to promote north-south county wide circulation. They refuse to acknowledge that within our area the key n-s arterials will be 158^th/Merlo/170^th from the Bethany interchange to TV Hwy and 185^th Ave. They want 170^th/173^rd from Sherwood and Scholls to go all the way up to the PCC campus-the faster the traffic can move the better. The NAC has stated that some reasonable traffic flow from Beaver Acres School, through the light rail (Elmonica) station area and up to Cornell is understandable as long as speeds can be controlled (i.e. traffic calming-such as 25mph-30mph). However, again, the city and county staff are projecting 11,000 cars per day in front of Elmonica Elementary. Maybe half the traffic is generated within the NAC, but the balance is coming from outside the area. This is not right. Further, neither the city nor the county have identified the ultimate improvement nor the timing for improvement of the old 173^rd R/w from Baseline to Walker, nor the need for 173^rd to be extended south across the light rail lines to Merlo Road to promote connectivity and area traffic ventilation around this TOD area. Such improvements would take some of the burden off 170^th and with traffic calming controls, discourage �outside� traffic from shortcutting through the area!

Additional State Funding (fee increases) and TIF

At its last session during the Spring of 2001, the state legislature decided to raise vehicle registration fees to be used to raise funds for road maintenance repair and modernization and bridge repair. State bonds will issued to raise as much as $400Million statewide. Of this about $20M is expected to be allocated to Washington County governments. In the Metro (Wa. Co. edition) section of the Oregonian on Tuesday, October 2, 2001, the County Coordinating Committee prepared a wish list of projects to be submitted for consideration by the Oregon Transportation Commission in February 2002. Generally these recommendations are driven by capital improvement plans, staff recommendations and wishes of our local elected officials in the county (cities and county). No citizen involvement outreach was undertaken by the Coordinating Committee. Call Mayor Rob Drake on the city�s Hotline (526-3700) and County Commissioner�s (Chair Tom Brian, Dick Schouten and John Leeper) (648-8681). Let them know that there should have been more citizen input from around the county and the selection process should have been more public and deliberate in the public forum. The projects selected include:

-Construct full interchange access @ Nyberg/I-5 for Tualatin employment centers between I-5 and Sherwood (Hwy 99W)

In this author�s opinion many of these proposals significantly induce growth and development pressures on our region�s urban growth boundary and steals �infill� incentives that should be directed to our �Growth Centers� under the Region 2040 strategy (see Metro Region 2040 discussion above). These funding strategies do not address our existing capacity problems on our arterials on which we drive daily to and from school, shopping and appointments. When will these get attention? This legislation was intended to address local government needs-not state highway needs which are considered under other funding programs.

On a related issue the only funds used other than those noted above (MSTIP, MTIP and State DMV fees) for local streets and roads is through gas taxes and TIF (Traffic Impact Fees). TIF fees assessed on new development are minimal and do not meet the ultimate funding needs for our local road system based upon our Comprehensive Plans. Further many of these TIF fees can be waived if the �developer� provides certain improvements adjacent the development site in question. Further, there does not appear to be straight forward formula for how these fees are used and whether they stay within the area the development proposal is impacting. Contact your Planning Commission and City councilors and County Commissioners and encourage them to reopen the dialogue on developer fees-along with school needs, park and open space needs, and storm and utility replacement needs (long term). Growth should pay its way. Infill within Growth Centers (mixed use in our commercial areas too) is cheaper in the short run and long run, than expanding our growth boundaries. We cannot build our way out of congestion. We need think outside the box!

CPO Activities

The county is broken into various Citizen Participation Organization areas. Our NAC has many issues in common with the Aloha area (CPO 6), Tanasborne, West Union, Bethany area (CPO 7) and the Cedar Mill area (CPO 2). Contact the Wa. Co. OSU Extension Agency @ 725-2116 or www.osu.orst.edu/extension/washington. The following developments were recently reviewed and approved by the county pursuant development review planning regulations. The affected CPO served as the citizen involvement link. Our NAC is currently trying to be more involved in the county�s review process through advanced noticing afforded the CPO�s. Also the OSU Extension Agency is pursuing establishing Websites so that the development application information can be posted in a timely manner.

County-wide

Private Development Proposals under County Jurisdiction

Autumn Park (Mixed Density)

This 223 dwelling Transit Oriented Medium to High Density development is located on the south side of Baseline Road, just west of 173^rd Avenue. The plan was approved February 2000 and is under construction in phases. It connects to Jay Street, Lawton Street and Coron Street and will consist of 2 and 3 story attached and detached dwellings. Streets will be stubbed eastbound toward the Elmonica Light Rail Station Area to improve neighborhood ventilation. The homes are selling at the entry level, affordable housing market. This project was being considered by the county at the same time Meridian Village Townhomes were being processed by the city on the north side of Baseline between 173^rd and 170^th Avenue. The NAC was unaware of the project until site grading began last fall.

Merlo Station Townhomes (north of Costco/161^st Ave)

This small Transit Oriented infill 3 story residential project is under construction just north of Costco on either side of 161^st Avenue, next to another 14-unit 3-story townhome project. Entry level housing is planned and will amount to approximately 60 dwelling. An apartment building is also planned south of the site (on the west of the street). East/west streets are proposed through the site which appear to be capable of being extended to 158^th and also 162^nd. TOD development concepts call for small block development, where feasible.

Woodside Office Complex (SE corner Walker/158^th)

This office park will complete out the IBM (former Sequent campus) office campus at the southeast corner of Walker Road and 158^th Avenue (to Old Baseline Road). At this time ALL access to the campus is focused toward Walker Road, exacerbating the existing peak hour congestion. Traffic con only exit northbound on 158^th Avenue. Indirect circuitous access is provided to Jay Street to the south. Koll Parkway @150^th and Walker leads into the campus but then basically loops upon itself to deter neighborhood traffic circulation. This traffic problem was raised by the NAC during the Traffic Commission hearings for the Transportation System Plan update last winter. The IBM campus combined with the NIKE campus creates a square mile roadblock for area traffic circulation and ventilation. No wonder Walker, Murray, Jenkins and 158^th Avenue are congested. People have no other alternative to get through the immediate area. This kind of �superblocking� is no longer encouraged, particularly around our light rail station areas. We are trying to encourage the creation of small blocks (like downtown) which would encourage pedestrian and bicycle access.

Nike Campus expansion (parking structure/Walker Rd. widening)

See note above! We are trying to get our corporate neighbors involved in the NAC. Any thoughts?

OPUS office building (Cornell/158^th/Bethany)

This major office building completes the southwest quadrant of the interchange, adding to the hi-tech orientation present to the south and east (Greenbrier Campus). It is also contributing to added congestion along Cornell Road, particularly to the west which is only two way traffic. This site also receives all the Willow Creek from the freeway and upstream in Oak Hills. Some remedial improvements were provided, but the habitat was not significantly improved. The detention basin is designed to control and release the building and parking lot runoff that goes through a culvert across Cornell into the Waterhouse complex.

Area north of Willow Crk (185^th) Light Rail Station (Hillsboro)

This significant parcel has the potential to develop under a master builder, requiring city of Hillsboro planning approval. It would likely support a mixed use development. It is bounded on the north by the Oregon Primate Center, just north of the Heritage Park traffic signal on 185^th. The area south of the MAX line, east of 185^th is planned for intensive Transit Oriented Development (TOD) under the county�s Sunset West Community Plan. See County Ordinances noted above for details, Ordinance 483, 485, and 486. New street extensions would tie the single family residential neighborhood to Baseline.

City of Beaverton

Legislative

Comprehensive Plan Update

The city recently completed major amendments to the city�s plan to implement regional planning policies adopted by Metro. Generally, the city�s land use designations (residential, commercial, industrial/employment) did not materially change, although the land use description terminology changed. The NAC pushed for more visionary goals and more specific subarea planning discussion and policies for such important areas as our light rail station areas. Although we were unsuccessful, the city initiated detailed planning for the Merlo Station Area and intends to seek state grants for planning around the Elmonica station. The city had completed more detailed policies for planning around the Beaverton and Millikan station areas. However, the level of detail does not create a clear picture of the city�s expectations. Scenic/Tree Preservation policies are still be drafted and will presented in public workshops this fall and hearings this coming winter. The city hopes to have their update protection mechanisms in place for the designated trees by June 2002. Contact city staff, Barbara Fryer @ 526-3718 for more details. She should be able to let us know when the �plan� will be available on the web.

Transportation System Plan (TSP)

The city�s Engineering Department recently completed an update of the city�s transportation plan. The plan was previously update a few years ago, but only based upon 2015 projections. The new update is in synch with Metro�s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) which used projections up to YR 2020. The city used the same consultant as the county is currently. Therefore the analysis and modeling of traffic data has been consistent. This plan was drafted with input by the city Traffic Commission and citizen involvement was encouraged. The Traffic Commission received extensive testimony from our NAC, although the majority of NAC comments and concerns and those of various individuals were overlooked. The NAC expressed the need for more subarea planning and detailed policy development. See comments above under County planning. This draft TSP was presented to the city Planning Commission and City council. Although no formal acceptance was required, the councils direction to staff to initiate the necessary updates to the city�s Comprehensive Plan and development codes pretty much indicated the city�s overall agreement in the plan.

Merlo MAX Station Area Plan

The city has recently drafted land use plans and zoning standards for the 40 ac light rail area from the Max line at this station to 170^th Avenue. The property is primarily owned by Tri-Met, the Beaverton School District (Administration) and a utility company. The Nature Park forms the south boundary. The plans were drafted to generally guarantee the continued functions now present. Some criteria were provided to permit some mixed used within the area along Merlo between Merlo Drive and the Light Rail station. According to this author�s view, the city and these property owners showed no interest in promoting the highest density mixed use potential possible within walking distance to the station, about 1/4^th to � mile. We will continue to have 8 to 5 uses and an evening �dead zone� around the station. The Planning Commission excluded Reser�s and Costco and the large vacant acreage at the northeast intersection of Baseline/158^th. There was no interest in arriving a one plan where some properties remain under county jurisdiction; therefore we will continue to have county and city standards operating under two different assumptions or two sets of rules. How will this TOD area come together when we are perpetuating business as usual?

Elmonica MAX Station Area Plan

The NAC has asked the city Planning Commission and city council to initiate better and more detailed planning in this area which is regulated by both the city and county. The NAC has asked for visions and concrete plans that would give the NAC an idea what everyone has in mind. Right now it is up to the land owner to decide what should happen within very liberal parameters. This planning concern was a key topic during the Mayor�s Walk in August with the NAC. The city staff have indicated they are pursuing state funding to study the immediate area around the light rail station area. Our NAC has projected that the area from the Willow Creek Station to the Merlo Road station from the Nature Park to Elmonica School could support up to 7, 000 dwellings, given the base zoning in place under the city�s and county�s jurisdiction. These areas are within 14 to � mile walking distance.

Beaverton Creek MAX Station Area Plan

A few years ago the city adopted a plan for the forested area south of the developed NIKE campus to the light rail station. The information can be found in the city�s Comprehensive Plan. Although no plans are imminent, the heavily forested site is not slated for preservation. Acreage in this immediate area sold for over $250,000 two years ago, during the expansion of the Nature Park .

Annexation Policy

The city generally requires annexation of any property whose owner is wishing or finding it necessary to connect to city sewer. Many of these properties received approval under county review processes (without NAC involvement). Some property owners look to city concessions and decide to annex into the city with implications of favorable development review when development of their vacant land is imminent. Right now the city has no specific policy except they generally support development within the city�s designated planning area. Therefore, it is no surprise that the Mayor is supporting bringing in land into the area�s urban service boundary (Metro) around the Rock Creek PCC area, which is still rural and within prime farmland. However, the Bethany has been one of the most significant growth areas in the state during the 90�s. This is attributable to the county�s historic favoritism toward urbanization of areas along the Sunset and TV Hwy. The lack of strong county policies to require urban services commensurate with urban growth brings to our conditions we see today. Neighborhood character (the There there)? Traffic anyone? Preservation of our riparian corridors? Storm drainage? Parks and schools? Police and fire? Now we are struggling to catch up. Ask your council members about annexation policies. What are their plans?

Development Review Process/Citizen Involvement

The city is currently reevaluating the development review process in hopes to simplify the process and reduce the time it takes to obtain development permits. Currently the state law requires the city to act on an application within 120 days from the date the city determined the development application was complete. Does the NAC have adequate time to know what the proposal is? Does the developer negotiate with the NAC in good faith or just go through the procedures and does what they want to do regardless of the NAC�s concerns and recommendations? We have experienced both good faith efforts and cases where the NAC was ignored.

Essentially, our NAC feels that we need to know about a development proposal as early as possible and that the developer should be acting in good faith to reach reasonable solutions that respect NAC concerns. Not only should we participate in the �Neighborhood Meeting� process, but we should have advanced knowledge and notice the �pre-application review process� which the staff is recommending as a mandatory step prior to any application. And finally the NAC should be notified when an application is formally filed and when the various review steps are initiated (such as �request for comment� by other departments and agencies). The NAC should receive advanced notice of the Facilities Review Committee meeting. When we refer to the NAC, each member of the NAC Board should receive notice rather than just the chairman. The first hearing before the Planning Commission will be November 7^th @ 7pm. This position will be forwarded to the CCI group.

City of Beaverton

Development Proposals - Public Projects

Traffic Calming Proposals

-- Waterhouse (south)-constructed a few years ago (neighbors feel improvements were not enough)

Other Proposals

--Regional Interceptor Sewer Line through Nature Park (Beaverton Creek) (Clean Water Services-USA- lead agency-Summer 2002)

--Willow Creek Bridge (5 Oaks Middle School)-approved and planned for construction spring 2002

.--Tri-Met/CWS 165 space parking lot (Merlo Road)-administratively approved at city staff level and located between the Tri-Met garage and the BSD Admin Offices.

City of Beaverton

Development Proposals - Private Development

Waterhouse Commercial Center (and Fast Food Center)

On the south side of Walker Road between 158th and Schendel, approximately 40,000 sf of retail, primarily restaurants, including five more fast food/sit down restaurants at the corner of Walker and 158th. This project was controlled by Parr Lumber Trust . Many mature and native trees were removed to make way. The developer did deed land for a pocket park containing about a dozen mature trees. All the developments drain to a large detention basin at Schendel/Estuary. The city allowed the walk on Walker Road to remain curb tight due to present county road policies that allow this design-same for the Fred Meyer Center on the north side. Same for the IBM complex on the south side of Walker, east of 158th, noted below, contrary to NAC wishes.

Magnolia Green Townhomes and office

This townhome project is nearly constructed on the north side of TV Hwy and Millikan. A small office will overlook Beaverton Creek. The housing includes entry level housing to mid-level.

Dania Furniture

Construction is underway for a new furniture store on the north side of Cornell Road, just east of 173rd Avenue. The NAC felt that Cornell should be widened from 173rd to Bethany interchange; that a reciprocal accessway should be provided and constructed from 173rd to and through the site to eventually tie into 167th Pl (signalized) where the Mongolian Grill is located. Now the vacant land behind the grill is being annexed into the city. Will that reciprocal private road system be required? Tune in. Private reciprocal drives are designed to take turning movements off the arterial and direct turning movements to safe, signalized locations. The city staff was unwilling to push anything except from Dania to 173rd. We want a common drive from 173rd to 167th Pl. If the city undertook more detail subarea neighborhood planning as our NAC has advocated, this type of issue would have clearly been on the books at the time Dania annexed.

Timberline Office Expansion

This office building would be doubled in size and located within the Greenbrier Business complex just north of the Fox 49 building. Part of the proposal would include a 400 space parking garage. This long range thinking was supported by the NAC, although the concrete structure would be massive, needing more articulation and detail. The building is also right next to the Waterhouse Creek which has adversely channelized with roadway travel lanes on both sides of the creek. Eventually the entire length of the creek from 158th to the US 26 crossing needs rehabilitation to create a more favorable riparian habitat for wildlife. Can it be done? Yes, if the Greenbrier Co.s were willing to rethink the existing road. Although the landscaping is attractive, it is deadly to the riparian needs and heavily floods to control runoff from the entire campus from 158th to the freeway (and probably some of the freeway runoff). Serious sedimentation occurs during the winter rains and ends up in the Waterhouse pond (behind the Waterhouse Apts.).

Truax 24hr Gas Station (NE corner Walker/150th

An independent owner proposes a 24-hr service station (no convenience store or other use) on half the property located at the northeast corner of Walker Road and 150th Ave. The design is run of the mill. The city generally has a policy to discourage 24 hr uses, such as markets (like the Fred Meyer Shopping Center at Walker/158th). This will be the primary issue at the Planning Commission hearing set for October 24th. Board of Design Review October 25th.

Waterhouse 6 (BlueLeaf)

This approx 60 unit single family home subdivision completes out the Waterhouse South area. The homes are selling beginning at $280,000. The lots along Walker Road at the east street entrance are about 5,000 sf in area. The other lots average about 7,000 sf. Notice the curb tight sidewalk along Walker Road-again a county road standard. This portion of Walker should be only 3 lanes, not 5. The only mature trees standing will be part of a small common park area.

Connor Townhomes (45-unit, two story condo�s

This 3.5 acre site on the east side of 150th, 600 feet north of Walker Road was recently annexed into the city with the city staff encouragement for high density housing-up to 24 dwellings to the acre. It is surrounded by single family homes to the north, west and east and medium density homes to the south. The city�s Planning Commission last fall liked the idea of high density, but didn�t like the R-2 zoning that normally goes with the Comprehensive Plan designation. The Commission did not indicate what it wanted. The applicant appealed the Commission�s zoning denial and granted the applicant the R-2 zoning but created a condition on the zoning not to exceed 45 dwellings, as requested by the applicant-over the objections of the neighborhood and NAC. The NAC asked for design parameters that would protect the existing housing and mature trees. Metro wants at least 10 units per acre on �infill development� like this. The neighbors generally would have somewhat supported the idea of 10 units per acre or about 35 dwellings, if designed correctly. Here, again, the city staff, Planning Commission, City Council and Board of Design Review ignored all wishes. This is the classic reason most people feel they can�t fight city hall and people lose interest in participating in the NAC. It is also important to note that there is no city council, planning commissioner, nor member of the Board of Design Review that reside north of TV Highway. The issue would have different in south Beaverton where they all live. The developer plans entry level housing, two story townhomes. The developer is negotiate a little with the neighbors, but axed ALL the trees.

Meridian Village Townhomes (89 units)

This TOD mixed use entry level, 3-story townhome project is under construction on the north side of Baseline between 170 and 173rd, again a recent annexation that the developer knew would receive city staff support without much negotiation. During the spring of 2000, the NAC worked hard to develop ideas of what Transit-oriented Development (TOD) really means. It asked the city staff, Planning Commission and City Council what it meant to them. Apparently Meridian Village is just fine with them. The proof is in the pudding. The NAC felt that the project was ill-conceived and not a good TOD type project. Originally the developer asked the NAC what type of TOD they liked. Many references were made to the ORENCO Station in Hillsboro and the PEARL district in NW Portland. If you look closely at what type of 3-story townhomes are being built in Wa. Co. near or adjacent to the MAX, this project looks like the same cookie cutter type. There are tight driveways and garages. No integrated trash disposal system, no pedestrian or children amenities (within 500 feet of the school), no family design concept, no privacy concepts for dwellings. This site literally should have had structured parking to be an effective TOD project. Once this decision is committed, then the quality of construction doubles to over $2 per sf (for living area). The quality of building materials and construction methods become more commercial. The project right now is being built by builders used to building single family homes or two story apartments.

Westside Church (Church of Christ expansion)

This church expansion is located at the northwest corner of Walker and 173rd. Walker Road will not be required to be improved and Willow Creek riparian areas were not required to upgraded. However, someone is currently trying to remove the evasive blackberries. Once removed, the affected area needs to be replanted with native trees and shrubs. The NAC hopes that eventually Walker Road would be raised higher over the creek to permit pedestrians to go under the roadway along the creek and stay out of the 100 year floodplain. In other words, there should be a full-blown bridge structure over the creek, not an expanded culvert. The NAC wants this portion of Walker to remain 2 to 3 lanes wide. Pedestrian trails or sidewalks are needed.

Lutheran Church (proposed, Cornell/145th, no. of Sunset High School)

The Planning Commission will hear this proposed church expansion on October 31st. The church is located on the northeast corner of Cornell Road and 143rd , just north of the Sunset H. S. football field. The NAC has been discussing the need to realign 143rd�s north leg with its south leg (through a building now housing the Columbia Sportswears� Corporate office). The County dropped the ball when the Science Park Dr. development was planned. Cornell Road is and will have a capacity problem and road connectivity links such as Science Park Dr. become important side streets to disperse traffic trip destinations. See the county�s Cedar Mill Town Center Plan on the Wa. Co. website.

Annexation n/o Cornell @ 167th Pl, 1.1ac with zoning proposed for Office Commercial

Development around the Willow Creek, Elmonica and Merlo MAX Station Areas

These areas will continue to attract discussion. A proposed residential project is being discussed in preliminary stages located immediately north of the Elmonica parking lot at the southeast corner of Baseline and 170th. Acreage in the area is on the real estate market starting at $250,000 to $300,000 per raw developable acre. Watch for development west of NIKE (within county jurisdiction right now). The IBM campus will build out down to Old Baseline and further south. Beaverton Mall is expanding to the west.

Final Remarks

Thank you for your interest in activities within the Five Oaks, Triple Creek Neighborhood Association Committee.

The foregoing comments do not necessarily reflect the NAC�s opinions, nor those of the city or other governmental agencies. However, as you can see, the NAC has a lot to consider, and livability issues are at stake without your involvement. Bye for now.

� 2004 � Five Oaks / Triple Creek Neighborhood Association Committee �

Hyperlinks on this page may lead to websites which are not produced by the Five Oaks / Triple Creek NAC.
The views expressed on those websites do not necessarily reflect the views of the NAC, the NAC Board, or the City of Beaverton.

LIVABILITY BULLETIN