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| Vol. 21, No. 9 • Mailed monthly to over 13,500 homes in the Gateway & Parkrose Communities Free • JANUARY 2006 | ||||||||
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FEATURE ARTICLES | |
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| Drug- and prostitution-free zones critiqued, lauded Tonkin receives Spirit of Portland award The Ron Tonkin family of car dealerships received a Mayor’s Spirit of Portland award, given annually for civic and community betterment activities, as the city’s Large Business of the Year. Tonkin was cited for having “provided a source of stable income for countless workers, while demonstrating strong civic values and commitment to the vitality of our region.” The latter include their “Drive For School” fundraiser, sponsorship of a golf tournament to support the Make A Wish Foundation, and support for a State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality program to help low-income auto owners meet vehicle emissions standards. Brad and Ed Tonkin accepted the award from Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman. “I want to thank the city very much for this award,” Brad Tonkin said. “I’m proud to be part of a company that allows us to do what we do.” Ed Tonkin added, “I was born here, raised here, live here, work here and play here. It’s great to be part of a city that cares so much.” To Saltzman and the rest of the Council he said, “You set a great example for others. The city is in good hands.” Drug- and prostitution-free zones critiqued, lauded At the first two of three forums called by Mayor Tom Potter, the majority of those present criticized the drug- and prostitution-free zone laws. The third, held at Vestal School Northeast 82nd Avenue on Dec. 15, was a different matter. Spurred by an unsigned flyer written by Hollywood District neighborhood activists Norm and Helen Stoll, more than 200 people showed up, all but a handful there to show support for the program. The Hollywood District is located in Northeast Portland. The laws allow police officers to order anyone arrested for a drug- or prostitution-related offense “excluded” from certain designated geographic areas for up to 90 days; those convicted of such offenses can be excluded for up to a year. A police officer who finds an excluded person in a free zone can arrest the person on sight for criminal trespass, although excluded people can for the asking obtain “variances” to enter the zone for any legitimate reason - to go to their home, place of work or for medical treatment. The zones are designated based on a level of drug or prostitution arrests significantly above that of the rest of the city. These zones are adjusted every three years to reflect new data. This year the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office recommends eliminating a long-standing prostitution-free zone along Northeast Sandy Boulevard. However, they also recommend expanding a prostitution-free zone along 82nd Avenue by two blocks to the east and west to take in the adjacent residential areas, and to add a drug-free zone. Parkrose residents who live east of the Sandy prostitution-free zone complain that hookers have moved into their area, and are asking that the zone be extended eastward. In the two previous meetings critics of the law had charged that the law allows the police to harass and arrest people never convicted of a crime, and some accused the police of abusing the law. Portland Mayor Tom Potter has recommended changing the law so that only those actually charged with a crime could be excluded. At the hearing Potter and others were treated to another perspective. At Vestal School, one person reported, the nuns must regularly inspect the school grounds and remove used condoms and hypodermic needles before allowing their students out to play. One community volunteer who asked not to be identified, said, “If there’s enough criminal activity, you can overload the system.” The volunteer was not pleased with the mayor’s reaction to the testimony and said, “It doesn’t seem as if the city fathers have any interest in controlling this.” Infill design regs approved Last month the Portland City Council unanimously approved new regulations governing the design of “infill development” - row houses and low-density apartment developments in existing residential neighborhoods. Planner Bill Cunningham said that developments of this type make up a large percentage of the new housing being built in the city. He said that there is a “concentration” of it in east Portland. The new rules stipulate that no more than 50 percent of a residence’s street-facing façade can be devoted to a garage or driveway, and at least 15 percent of the ground floor wall must be taken up with windows. Conversely, the changes allow more flexibility for developers to use shared driveways, rear car access, and courtyard and cluster apartment complexes. According to surveys done as part of the project, Cunningham said, such developments fit in better, and are more compatible with, traditional residential neighborhoods. The law also requires builders of projects with five or more units to offer to meet with the local neighborhood association early in the review process, although the developer is not required to do what neighbors request. Nine people testified at the hearing, all in support of the ordinance. Jim McCauley of the Metropolitan Home Builders Association said that his organization was “generally favorable” to the proposal, and that the balance between regulation and incentives was “something we can support.” Architect Bill Wilson said the regulations should “substantially reduce the number of developments that do not contribute to the city’s livability.” They should not increase the cost of housing, and may even serve to decrease in some cases. The requirement for community meetings “will substantially increase the quality of design” of new developments, he said. Council was extremely impressed not only by the contents of the proposal, but also by the broad-based show of support. “Bill, come up here and let me look at you,” Portland Mayor Tom Potter told Cunningham. “I’m very impressed. Keep doing what you’re doing.” |
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