During our February BWNA general meeting, Peggy Sullivan gave an overview of Villages PDX and an update on the formation of the Northeast Portland Village. (See separate article in the newsletter.)
The biggest audience response during the meeting came when it was announced that the primary assailant in the Everest M Market robbery had been arrested and charged. Unfortunately, the market owner, Keshab Maharjan, is still undergoing surgeries related to his eye injuries as a result of that incident. The GoFundMe site to help with Mr. Maharjan’s medical expenses is https://www.gofundme.com/8r4wz45k if you would like to help.
Katy Flacker requested BWNA support to question logic used by Oregon Liquor Control Commission regarding changing definitions of “schools” when licensing marijuana businesses (especially regarding one planned very close to Sylvan Learning Center on Fremont, next to Smallwares restaurant). Katy will draft a letter to the Board for further discussion at the March meeting.
BWNA continues to lobby (through Land Use Chair Jack Bookwalter) for reduced height limits on Fremont within a new Comprehensive Plan Mixed Use Zoning scheme. Barb Strunk, member of United Neighborhoods for Reform Steering Committee (UNR) and BWNA Board, updated the audience on deliberations by the Residential In-fill Project Stakeholders Advisory Committee (RIPSAC), on which she serves as a UNR representative. RIPSAC is charged with making recommendations to the City Council in three primary areas regarding new code language within residential zones: scale, mass, and set-backs; handling of skinny lots; and alternative housing styles to address density pressures. Public input and presence at meetings are encouraged.
Margaret Davis outlined a February 29 film preview and public discussion event at Hollywood Theater that addressed the health hazards of lead during renovations and house demolitions. The showing was a free educational event open to all concerned citizens.
Coming up: Taste of Beaumont/Elections in April! There are a couple of open positions on the BWNA Board that offer an excellent opportunity to get involved in local issues and drive activities to further strengthen neighborhood bonds within Beaumont-Wilshire. If interested, contact John Sandie at president@bwna.us for details. Mark your calendars for Monday, April 11, and come enjoy both the food supplied by local businesses along with planned musical entertainment provided by the Beaumont Middle School Band, under the direction of neighborhood favorite Cynthia Plank. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Beaumont Middle School cafeteria.