The natives are restless. Beaumont-Wilshire residents, as well as those in many other Eastside neighborhoods, are increasingly alarmed over the rapid spread of “infill” development projects. Infill development is the practice of developers purchasing houses at top dollar to maximize profits by destroying existing homes in order to make way for construction of one or two larger dwellings. As reported in December by The Oregonian’s Melissa Binder, “The number of single-family home demolitions has skyrocketed since the end of the recession. City regulators have approved more than 230 demolitions so far this year, up 40% from all of 2011.”
Thus it came as no surprise that the infill issue was front and center as neighbors vented concerns at December’s BWNA’s Winter Holiday General Meeting. Weeks prior to the meeting, B-W resident Doug Clark had reserved time on the agenda to propose that BWNA request the Bureau of Development Services (BDS) grant a 120-day demolition delay for a house on his block of 35th Place. As attendees munched on potluck holiday treats, Clark described the house in question—good condition, big lot, three rooms, three baths, market value over $700,000. He also shared that he had gone door to door on his block to find out how people felt about the pending demolition. His neighbors expressed dismay and incredulity over the pending destruction of such a quality home and planned construction of two tall houses. Following spirited debate, the motion passed easily and was subsequently approved by a majority of attending Board members. By the end of the week, a demolition delay request form had been submitted to BDS by BWNA President Al Ellis, accompanied by the following explanatory letter to Commissioner Amanda Fritz and Bureau of Development Services Director Paul Scarlett:
“Pursuant to Portland City Code Section 24.55.200, the Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association (BWNA) requests a demolition delay extension of 120 days for the house located at 3919 NE 35th Place (Permit # 13-226211-RS) in order to explore ways to save it from destruction.
As you know, the rapid spread of infill development is a top concern in some of Portland’s most established close-in neighborhoods, including Beaumont-Wilshire. At a recent BWNA general meeting, our Board of Directors approved a motion passed by a near-unanimous vote of attendees to file a demolition delay request for a house that is neither dilapidated nor crime-ridden; on the contrary, this is a three bedroom, three bathroom home valued at over $700,000 with annual property taxes of approximately $9000. The planned demolition of this beautiful house to make way for a development that is out of scale and character with existing dwellings has struck a nerve. While acknowledging that a neighbor or group of neighbors or neighborhood association do not have the right to dictate requirements for new developments, the BDS and City Council do. Thus, BWNA would welcome a demolition delay for the purpose of collaborating with you on this matter.”