Next Up at City Council, 10/08/08

This week’s Portland City Council agenda is here. I only have time to note three highlights:

1367 TIME CERTAIN: 9:30 AM – Community Watershed Stewardship Program wins Carter Award (Presentation introduced by Commissioner Adams)

We don’t celebrate successful programs as often or as widely as we should. Well done, Environmental Services staff.

Two interesting land use cases in NW on Wednesday afternoon (too bad they weren’t scheduled in the evening, when more working people could attend). The first two are paired:

1396 TIME CERTAIN: 2:00 PM – Consider the proposal of Albert W Solheim and Chris Brehmer and the recommendation from the Hearings Officer for approval of a Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment for property located at 1734 NW 15th Ave (Hearing; LU 08-132399 CP ZC)

*1397 Amend the Comprehensive Plan Map designations and change zoning at 1734 NW 15th Ave at the request of Albert W. Solheim and Chris Brehmer (Ordinance; LU 08-132399 CP ZC)

I wondered why the map/zoning change is an “emergency”. So I clicked on the handy-dandy link to the Ordinance. Oh puhleese:

“The Council declares an emergency exists because there should be no delay in the beneficial use of the above-described properties; therefore, this ordinance shall be in force and effect from and after its passage by the Council”

In other words, because we say so. Not a compelling rationale.

Finally, the item on this week’s agenda which will likely be most controversial:

1398 TIME CERTAIN: 2:30 PM – Appeal of Northwest District Association against the Historic Landmarks Commission’s decision to approve with conditions the application of GFV Enterprises LLC, William V. DeBellis and Singer Properties for an 87-stall parking garage at 2311-2317 NW Irving St (Hearing; LU 08-121424 HDZM)

I will only be able to attend the first fifteen minutes of this hearing, due to a previous engagement. It should be fascinating.