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. 

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.