FW: Open Zoning
Albert Kaufman
Albert
------ Forwarded Message
From: Emily Engdahl Davidson <em...@njdoty.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:45:42 -0700
To: kmoor...@ci.portland.or.us
Subject: Open Zoning
Dear Ms. Moore -
Please pass along this message to our City Council. I would greatly
appreciate it.
We have enough construction as it is, in NE Portland, and many
existing spaces to fill before we take over the open zoned spaces left
in Portland. I understand that Colwood and Broadmoor Golf Courses are
currently under re-zoning consideration, and are going to be for sale.
While I can appreciate the owner's desire to glean as much profit from
their long time business investment and valuable land within the
Portland City Limits, I would ask that the Council consider the long
term impact that allowing the golf courses to be developed would have
on the surrounding neighborhoods. It would be a shame for these
spaces, which are in neighborhoods that otherwise have very little
green space, to be rezoned "industrial."
This is an opportunity for Portlanders to encourage wildlife habitat,
create niches of multi-use space, and perhaps rethink the development
of NE Portland that has resulted in the Coyote population's desperate
attempts at adaptation despite the human population encroaching
further and further onto the Columbia River boundary.
Please encourage our City Council to vote green and vote pro-Portland
on this issue - do not let Colwood and Broadmoor Golf Courses be
turned into industrial parks, a sea of buildings, or otherwise un-
lovely and unhealthy spaces.
I'd like the City Council to consider a new idea, in letting those
spaces be explored for recreation, for urban wildlife refuges, for
park areas, or for small scale organic farming... I'd like to see the
land used by many of Portland's citizens, especially those who do not
currently have ready access to green spaces in their neighborhoods
with the land being "developed" for a unique and innovative idea that
will assist our residents in self-sufficiency, reduce the impact of
global supply chains by increasing the accessibility to locally grown
foods, and teach many Portlanders about responsible land use.
What would happen if we used those spaces for recreational, teaching
habitat refuges, and for teaching children (and adults) about
ecologically sound food practices, in harmony with wildlife?
Preschools from the surrounding neighborhoods could go on urban
hikes... Middle schoolers could engage in the Junior League Master
Gardener Program! The ecology students from Grant High School would
have another option for field study (much closer to their school) than
to drive out to Oaks Bottom! Families and individuals could enjoy the
beauty, peace, and possibilities of green spaces.
Portland is already at the forefront of the United States' radar as an
ecologically responsible and "green" city. Please allow Portland's
residents the opportunity to continue utilizing the last of the green
spaces in the city as such, and encourage the City Council to keep the
Colwood and Broadmoor Golf Courses open space.
Sincerely,
Emily Engdahl Davidson
4th Generation NE Portland Resident
------ End of Forwarded Message