Next Up at City Council 1/3-4/2007

Nothing much on this week’s agenda particularly fires my engines, although there is always a story and someone who cares behind every item on the list. Metro’s Nature in the Neighborhoods, policing New Columbia, the University of Portland’s expansion, and amendment of an agreement between Portland Parks & Recreation and the Portland Development Commission, all caught my eye. I’d like to know more about each of these and provide detailed information, but the city doesn’t give links from the Council agenda despite the fact that every item is supported by a staff report – all presumably written on computers and public information. Please post comments if you know more about any item on the agenda.

Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. there is a rare item: a developer appealing the denial of a subdivision application. Usually the neighbors are appealing the approval. This one is on SE Foster Road, in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood. The Appeal Notice (pdf) says the application was denied based on inadequate stormwater management plans. Linda Bauer is the amazing Pleasant Valley neighborhood volunteer who follows development applications and construction there. I’ll add information in the comments if I hear more about this appeal.