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Argay critiques proposed plantings

LEE PERLMAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO

This curb extension, in front of the People’s Food Co-op at Southeast 21st and Tibbetts Street, is an example of one of 12 to be added this summer on Northeast 122nd Avenue between Fremont and Shaver streets.
Submitted Photo
Bureau of Environmental Services personnel visited the Argay Neighborhood Association last month to give them a lecture on stormwater treatment. The participants in turn received a free lesson on Argay and its traffic patterns.

As Rhetta Drennan told 20 residents who assembled for a special meeting last month, in order to reduce the amount of storm water runoff that currently drains into sewers — carrying considerable pollution with it — the city is installing curb extensions with plantings along the street in certain areas, particularly those that drain to the Columbia Slough. “The slough isn’t fast-moving; it doesn’t flush itself out the way the Columbia and the Willamette do,” Drennan said. The city is under federal mandate to clean up pollution in the slough.

Letting storm water flow and be slowly absorbed into planted areas “works better than anything we can engineer,” Drennan said. “This is Mother Nature doing what Mother Nature does best. We won’t get rid of all the pollution, but we’ll take a big bite out of it.”

In Argay, BES is proposing to place 12 such Green Street bioswale curb extension facilities along Northeast 122nd Avenue between Fremont and Shaver streets, and another four at the intersection of Northeast Sandy Boulevard and 131st Avenue. The bureau had originally proposed to put one at Northeast 130th Avenue and Shaver Street, but Argay Chair Valerie Curry had objected; the intersection was already a severe traffic hazard and the new facility would make it worse. She called the special meeting to let the community view and discuss the proposal. Although it appeared that some businesses and residents received a promised BES mailing late, or not at all, about 20 people showed up.

There was considerable discussion about plantings proposed near the intersection of Northeast 122nd Avenue and Shaver Street. Curry protested that such a facility at this location would eliminate a right turn lane on 122nd and displace a bus stop across the street from Parkrose High School. BES engineer Don Henry conceded it would probably be necessary to move the bus stop. Curry countered that kids riding the bus would be likely to jaywalk under these circumstances. Officer Jason Lile, who attended the meeting, said, “When people are stuck in traffic, they get angry and impatient.” Such behavior, together with jaywalkers on the street, could create a disaster.

One person suggested utilizing the adjacent Rossi Farms for the Green Street feature. Drennan replied, “We would have to buy any property we used. I’m not sure we could legally do that. It would certainly substantially increase the cost of the project.”

Joe Rossi said he feared that too much congestion at the Shaver intersection might cause motorists to use Fremont as a short cut, which is an entirely residential street. Henry later said BES had originally planned to put in Green Street features near Fremont, but that it had proved problematic.

Drennan initially tried to defend the plans, saying that 122nd “has four traffic lanes and a center turn lane. You all have quite a bit more maneuvering room than most.” However, as the public safety concerns mounted, she said, “You all have a point. That’s why we’re out here talking to you.”

One man said, “Does this land best serve our community as a turn lane or a garden?”

Argay resident Kathy Astala asked how the improvements would be paid for, and whether her taxes would be affected. BES’s Amy Chomowicz replied that some of the funds collected for water and sewage use are set aside for projects like these. Curry complained that the area has some of the city’s highest sewer bills. BES’s Sue Barthell replied, “Your point’s well made, but we’re required by the feds to clean up the slough. Should we spend millions on that, or deal with what caused the problem in the first place?”

Curry later said, “I’m basically behind this. I’m just concerned about the traffic impacts.”

One man said he feared the plants in the features would die in the summer once the rain stopped. Drennan replied, “We’ve learned something along the way. We plant drought-resistant plants and a lot are natives that can survive in these climate conditions. We need them to function properly or they won’t do the job they’re supposed to do.”

She added, “At some point we’ll talk with you about what these will look like. We used to just choose them ourselves. We’ve learned from Argay (that) the neighbors might have an opinion.”

Construction is slated to begin this summer.

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