Another one bites the dust
Our post of the other day about the destruction of a nice little private park in the Mount Tabor neighborhood brought a response from a resident of the Argay neighborhood (also known as Argay Terrace) in outer northeast Portland. Apparently something similar has happened or is about to happen there. Some vacant land on 141st Drive, across from Argay Park, has been divided into three lots, and three "skinny houses" are on the way.
The land, which has never had buildings on it and people always considered part of the park, was once owned by Multnomah County. But the county sold it to a private owner about 20 years ago. When the neighbors heard of the new owner's development plans, they opposed the division into separate lots. But their appeal to the City Hall bureaucrats has gone nowhere, and the bulldozers could arrive any time now.
At one time, the reader writes, the city reportedly would not approve even a single house on the property, because it was too narrow. All that has changed, of course, with the planners' aggressive "infill" philosophy, which is wrecking the character of the city's old neighborhoods to the benefit of the real estate developers who control local government. Despite our hype, livability concerns are no match for real estate money in Portland.
So suck it up, Argay Terrace! It's for the millions of people who are going to be moving here any minute.
| Posted at 9:47 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (12)
Skinny houses? Per the plat map 1 is just under 5000 sqft lot, the other two are over 5000.
Posted by Lake district | May 11, 2012 10:13 AM
More SOLASTALGIA!
http://richardlouv.com/blog/Ten-Reasons-Why-Children-and-Adults-Need-Vitamin-N/
We suffer when we withdraw from nature. Australian professor Glenn Albrecht, director of the Institute of Sustainability and Technology Policy at Murdoch University, has coined the term solastalgia. He combined the Latin word solacium (comfort — as in solace) and the Greek root – algia (pain) to form solastalgia, which he defines as “the pain experienced when there is recognition that the place where one resides and that one loves is under immediate assault.”
Solastalgia is a word that resonates with me concerning not only parks but our city.
Posted by clinamen | May 11, 2012 10:25 AM
Green, Sustainable but Expendable.
Posted by Tom | May 11, 2012 11:06 AM
Per the plat map 1 is just under 5000 sqft lot, the other two are over 5000.
Yes, but look at the shapes of the lots. Those houses, if not skinny, are going to be oddly laid out.
Posted by Jack Bog | May 11, 2012 11:47 AM
Those rich guys' hobby Christmas tree farms outside the urban growth boundary must be saved at all costs. You and I having to live like sardines in a can is a small price to pay for that.
Posted by Alice | May 11, 2012 11:52 AM
You and I having to live like sardines in a can is a small price to pay for that.
I drive by City Hall everyday and I've never been able to figure out what that smell was. NOW I KNOW!!!!
Posted by LexusLibertarian | May 11, 2012 12:02 PM
I wonder who's been mowing and maintaining that park-like space for the past 20 years? The trees have been pruned and well-maintained, and the lawn looks just like Portland Parks work.
Developers don't usually maintain the grounds so well, when they plan to tear them up.
Posted by Max | May 11, 2012 1:09 PM
I say infill City Hall. Did you see that huge plaza right at the front door that is absolutely wasted space? And that it's ONLY three stories...come on, City Hall should be replaced with a big building that extends from sidewalk to sidewalk to sidewalk to sidewalk to make the most of every square micrometer within the block. And inside, there will be no permanent walls - just cubicles...even for the Mayor and the Council - cube walls are smaller than actual walls.
Posted by Erik H. | May 11, 2012 1:52 PM
In 1968, when this subdivision was laid out, the county planning commission required subdividers to create tracts such as Tract D (the one being subdivided here) not as future building sites but to block the adjoining lots from putting driveways onto an adjacent through or collector street. Today the county or city would do that through requiring a non-access easement, but not back then.
Posted by Isaac Laquedem | May 11, 2012 2:25 PM
Blocks 17, 18, and 21 of Strathmore (the subdivision involved here) have a Tract B and a Tract C along the west side of NE 141st Drive, for the same purpose.
http://gis.co.multnomah.or.us/sail/displayimage.cfm?idlyr=434&inst=SAIL&documentname=PL1200%2D065
Posted by Isaac Laquedem | May 11, 2012 2:35 PM
government lords give tax dollars to developers,
developers give back an agreed percentage in cash.
government lords make enough in kickbacks and P.E.R.S. to move
out of the city they destroyed and never look back.
At least its sustainable, green , non-homophobic, and bike friendly.
" Thank you baby Jesus for loaning us the government lords "
Posted by fancypants | May 11, 2012 8:14 PM
According to John Gessner, Woods’ property consultant, he said his client has no plans to build herself and that she has maintained all along she intends to sell the property once it was approved for building.
This is an example of where the city should be buying this kind of open space, for additional park space especially since they are continuing to add density and certainly for the "millions" more coming!!
Of course, Parks would most likely tell us they have no money. I will remind people that Nick Fish went along with pouring another $80 million into that Powell Butte project a year ago!
The city could care less about livability for the people, this is about collecting more property tax, they need that extra money for pet projects, or to keep afloat.
I wonder if those who make these kind of decisions go through a desensitization workshop, in order to do this to the people.
Just keep voting for the same types and this is what we get!
Remember this next time Fish wants your vote!
Ask the three pre-selected ones what they would do to save this open space?
Isn't this is Mr. Jefferson's area?
Posted by clinamen | May 12, 2012 9:23 AM