Attending last November’s twilight City Council hearing in North Portland devoted exclusively to consideration of a code change initiative by the Office of Community & Civic Life (formerly the Office of Neighborhood Involvement), the sense of déjà vu in the room was inescapable. The proposed code change would (in the words of initiative proponents) end “privileged status” for a neighborhood association system dominated by “older, white, residential homeowner” residents at the expense of historically underrepresented groups (e.g., people of color, non-native English speakers, renters). We had been here before—usual suspects, familiar rhetoric.
Travel back to 2014 when demolition of existing homes to make way for ubiquitous construction of highly profitable million-dollar so-called “McMansions” and (supposedly) “affordable” apartments, duplexes, and triplexes was emerging as the front-burner issue for many neighborhoods throughout the city, giving rise to the BWNA-inspired grassroots organization called United Neighborhoods for Reform (UNR), whose resolution to save viable homes from the bulldozer, preserve neighborhood character, and mitigate health-injurious fallout from demolitions ended up being endorsed by over 40 neighborhood associations throughout the city. Subsequently, a rival grassroots infill development organization was formed with financial backing from 1000 Friends of Oregon, calling itself Portland for Everyone (PFE). While both advocacy groups opposed construction of oversized, expensive single-family homes in established residential neighborhoods, PFE and UNR parted ways on density expansion policy—PFE pushing for construction of affordable “plexes” with minimum on-site parking in the heart of predominately single-family-home neighborhoods (the so-called “missing middle”) with hardly any vacant lots on which to build—and UNR pushing back that such a policy would incentivize demolitions of existing entry-level homes, already in short supply.
Fast forward to 2019, and UNR and PFE are at it again, but this time on the topic of neighborhood association inclusivity and efficacy—PFE activists vilifying the “white power elite” leadership of neighborhood associations for creating an unwelcoming environment for minorities, and UNR activists decrying the accusations as inaccurate.
Ironically, the two sides seem headed back to square one in 2020. Civic Life’s controversial code change initiative—long on platitudes, but short on practical specifics—has essentially been tabled, with plans to create a more broadly based stakeholders’ committee to re-examine the issues. Additionally, there’s the distinct possibility of regime change at the bureau, as candidates line up to run against Commissioner Eudaly in May 2020, including charismatic pro-neighborhood association candidate Mingus Mapps. As for infill development, the state legislature has eliminated single-family housing zones from the picture, leaving Portland City Council to mull over Planning Commission recommendations and revisit public testimony beginning on January 15. In effect, it’s back to the future for the UNR versus PFE debate—with the shape of our neighborhoods in the balance.
Did you know?
December’s Fremont Holiday Fest was a sparkling success! In addition to holiday crafts, games, carolers, and shopping, Santa and Mrs Claus welcomed star-struck fans of all ages. Be sure to put Fremont Holiday Fest on your 2020 calendar.