The Comprehensive Plan Updates will include some zoning changes in Creston-Kenilworth. Marty Stockton from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability came to the February 2016 meeting to give us a preview of the new zoning map. It is now available here.

Here is the information Marty Stockton provide about the public comment process:

"In regards to testimony (formal public comments) to the Planning and Sustainability Commission on the zoning updates, a reminder that the Proposed Draft of the Residential and Open Space Zoning Map will be released the week of March 7th. Testimony may be submitted starting this week, but not before. [February 22nd's] presentation before the Creston-Kenilworth Neighborhood Association was an early preview of the March 7th Proposed Draft release. Public notice to affected property owners will also be mailed the week of March 7th.

Here is some general information on the Planning and Sustainability Commission: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/383909. This web link also provides Tips for Testifying: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/383947. 

Email the Planning and Sustainability Commission: psc@portlandoregon.gov
Fax the Planning and Sustainability Commission: (503) 823-7800
Send a letter to the Planning and Sustainability Commission:

Planning and Sustainability Commission
1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 7100
Portland, OR 97201

Attend the April 12, 2016 Planning and Sustainability Commission hearing from 12:30 to 3:30p.m. at the following location:

1900 SW 4th Avenue in Conference Room 2500 (2nd Floor)

Questions? Call our helpline at 503-823-0195 or write tabitha.boschetti@portlandoregon.gov."

The Neighborhood Association has be receiving more questions than usual about homeless encampments. Portland City Government has declared a housing emergency and has instructed police officers to stop enforcing the "no camping' ordinance through out the city until more indoor shelter space is secured. This leaves many city residents wondering what to do if a campsite is impacting them negatively. Below is some information shared by a Security & Emergency Management Official with the Portland Parks and Recreation Department:

"Recently the City of Portland changed our policy regarding campsite clean-ups.  This new policy reflects an equitable set of best practices to address the homeless challenge in Portland in a humane and safe way, while at the same time allowing the City to take appropriate action when the situation calls for it.  As has been widely reported, the City Council has enacted a State of Emergency around Housing and Homelessness because we lack sufficient indoor space – whether temporary shelter or permanent affordable housing – to house our approximately 2,000 homeless people living on our streets.  The City has prioritized the funding and building of more bed spaces, but in the meantime the City is managing public space in a realistic, balanced manner and is generally permitting very low impact camping.  However, criminal activity and gross misuse of public space continues to not be tolerated.

The new policy allows people to safely sleep on our streets with timelines and conditions, but camping is still not permitted in parks and on parks properties. To address camping and related violations such as these, we prioritize a limited number of park rangers for patrols at hot spots and in high impact areas. In addition, last week, the city's campsite cleanup vendor removed a number of camps at Creston Park. It appears that campers are returning and that seems to be the case with enforcement and cleanups, as folks without shelter options tend to move around. We will continue to do what we can to address the issues you report, but are also working with the Mayor's office, social services, and mental health providers on a more sustainable solution.

Moving forward, When residents/businesses/visitors want to report camping issues, here’s the way.
 
The City has a webpage where one may complete a short form about campingwww.portlandoregon.gov/campsite.  The webpage form attaches to TrakIT and the form can take downloaded pictures of camping related problems.  We encourage folks to use the form.
 
If a resident/business has no access to a computer or requires help to complete the form, they are welcome to telephone City/County Information
503-823-4000, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pmfor assistance.
 
You should call 911 for any crime in progress and police non-emergency at 503-823-3333 for afterhours violations as rangers do not work after hours. Calls to ranger customer service help us prioritize their patrols during daytime hours and can be made to 503-823-1637."