Our
Mission
Gresham
First is a community group organized to advocate responsible development,
an issue that concerns many residents and local business owners. We
formed nearly one year ago to raise public awareness of a large scale
development, analyze the impacts on our community and to encourage citizen
involvement in the City process. We believe that residents can make
a difference in shaping our community and realize that as our region
rapidly expands, it is time to raise the bar for new development.
For
news on a specific project, please choose a link on the left side of
this page. We are updating our site to offer information on all developments
that have a City-level impact, and also how residents can get involved
in the decision-making process for each.
Current
Events
June 20 -- Wal-Mart
abandons plan for new Gresham store
Neighbors
victorious in two-year battle with retail giant
Wal-Mart is
throwing in the towel on its efforts to build a
combination grocery and discount store at the
intersection of Powell Boulevard and 182nd Avenue in
Gresham.
Spokeswoman
Jennifer Holder said today that the company would
not appeal a recent rejection of the proposal by a
city hearing's officer -- the most recent of several
obstacles the retailer has faced in its 2 1/2-year
struggle to build a store at the site.
"While
disappointed by the decision, a long protracted
legal battle is not in anyone's best interests,"
Holder said in a news release. "Our obligation and
our commitment to our customers is to find a site
that works for them as well as for the city."
Please visit our Wal-Mart
page for more information on this development.
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Brief History:
In July 2006, the City of Gresham staff granted initial approval for
a Wal-Mart SuperCenter proposed for 182nd and Powell, despite
overwhelming public opposition. A record-breaking number
of comments were received in opposition from local residents,
business owners, Neighborhood Associations, Johnson Creek Watershed
Council and Metro Councilor Rod Park.
Gresham
First participated in an appeal along with local Neighborhood
Associations--Southwest, Centennial and Hollybrook. Neighborhood
livability concerns include the impact on existing traffic
problems, nearby schools, water & air quality, noise pollution
and pedestrian safety. The appeal was upheld in
November 2006 by Hearings Officer Joe Turner. The decision now rest with
the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals, and the burden of proof is on the
applicant to show the City's decision to deny the project was unreasonable.
In 2005 the City of Gresham
denied a 220,000sf Super-Center plan at the same location based on traffic and public safety
concerns. Wal-Mart claims those impacts will be reduced significantly
with a smaller plan, but experts agree that demand & traffic
will not be reduced by simply changing the footprint.
|
While various
issues exist regarding the suitability of this site, traffic, safety and
zoning criteria concerns were the focus of the recent hearing.
Fundraising efforts allowed us to hire a professional team including Rick Nys of Greenlight Engineering and
land use attorney David Bricklin. Together we were able to reveal a
variety of inaccurate and inadequate elements of Wal-Mart’s plan—
including traffic generated by the store, incorrect traffic modeling,
failure to meet transit friendly zoning criteria, and CMU zoning which
does not allow stores over 10,000sf. Please visit our Wal-Mart
page for more information on our technical case, and how to
stay involved.
NATURAL
AREAS, PARKS AND STREAMS MEASURE - APPROVED NOVEMBER 7!
| An important
element of smart growth is preservation of open space and the environment.
Metro, our regional
government, referred a bond measure to uban voters in Clackamas,
Multnomah and Washington Counties that would raise $227.4 million
to protect natural areas, clean water and neighborhood parkland.
The 20 year bond will cost 19 cents per $1,000 assessed property
values per year, costing the average homeowner under $3
per month. |
 |
The Natural Areas, Parks, and
Streams Bond Measure represents an enormous opportunity to protect wildlife,
greenspace in our communities, and leave a legacy for future generations
by acquiring and protecting natural areas and stream corridors, including
Johnson Creek, the Gresham Buttes, the Gresham-Fairview Trail,
and natural areas in the new communities of Pleasant Valley and Springwater.
Gresham First members voted
unanimously to support the measure at our last meeting, and we encourage
all members to participate this summer in the campaign for Natural Areas,
Parks and Streams. Learn more about the measure at: www.savenaturalareas.org.
Finding a Solution
The solution
is to make better decisions about what, where and how to build next.
Our decisions for the future must look at all the available options
to bring benefit to the community, and be made on the basis of fairness
and maximum benefit. A current
development proposal by a "big-box" retailer has raised concerns
regarding the health and well being of our region’s economy, workers
and community livability. Unfortunately, these factors are not currently
protected by our City Planning and Development code.
Quality
Commercial Development: Gresham First recommends the
development of zoning regulations to help make informed decisions about
our future with objective information on the potential costs of large
scale retail developments, without using an outright ban. Many communities
are adopting land-use policies that restrict the growth of predatory
business, support downtown revitalization and create an environment
where locally owned business can thrive. Applicants who demonstrate
they will provide an economic benefit to our community should be allowed
to build.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
Please help protect the long-term health of our community by urging
the Mayor and City Council, as well as Metro Councilors and State leadership
for “big-box” restrictions, which would include size, location,
environmental and performance standards. Click
to view a sample letter and addresses to help get you started. We
hope you will join
our efforts to put OUR
COMMUNITY FIRST!
For ways to get involved
with a specific project, please use the links on the left side of the
page.