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Your opinion counts and it is important that your voice is heard!
WAL-MART - Public Comment Period: May 11 - May 25, 2006NOW IS THE TIME TO SEND LETTERS regarding the smaller store proposal. Persons who oppose this project must communicate their concerns in writing to the Gresham City Planner during this upcoming two-week review period. Please note: any letters sent last year will not be counted during this round, so please send your letters again to be received no later than 4pm on May 25, 2006. Any person who contacts the city in writing has the right to appeal a decision. Comments should address the relevant criteria and standards also include your intent to appeal if a development permit is approved. Comments are accepted via email or regular mail. VIsit our Concerns page for more information or writing your own letter, or click to view our sample letter.
Jim Wheeler
Senior Development Planner
jim.wheeler@ci.gresham.or.us
Community and Economic Development
c/o Jim Wheeler
Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Parkway
Gresham, OR 97030
APPLICABLE REVIEW CRITERIA:
Code Procedures - 11.0100, 11.0203-11.0204, 11.0210-0214; Hearings - 11.0300; Appeals - 11.0500Standards -- Definitions - 3.0000, Corridor Districts - 4.0400; Design Review - 7.0001-7.0003, 7.0102, 7.0202, 7.0220 - 7.0224; Buffers/Screening - 9.0100, Clear Vision - 9.0200, Easements - 9.0300, Fencing - 9.0400, Grading, Drainage, Stormwater - 9.0500, Neighborhood Circulation - 9.0701-9.0710, Parking - 9.0800, Projections - 9.0900, Trees - 9.1010-9.1012, 9.1020-9.1022, 9.1015; Public Facilities & Transportation - Appendix 5.000.
"BIG-BOX" CODE: Send Letters Now!
The Gresham CIty Council maintains a high interest in the Wal-Mart application, but has been advised against taking a position. This is "to avoid any claims of bias or undue influence" as "any statements could be used to attack the decision made by City Staff of the Hearings Officer". However the Council has noted that they will address issues relating to Wal-Mart, but unrelated to the land use application review.The current proposal by Wal-Mart to build a superstore has raised concerns regarding the health and well being of our region’s economy, workers and town “centers”. The economic impacts of this particular retailer on our community include damage to local business, illegal treatment of employees, poor pay scale, inadequate health care benefits and sexual discrimination. The loss of quality jobs are not balanced by those created and tax revenues will not cover the expense of traffic control, public safety, lost property value and social welfare. Unfortunately, these factors are not currently protected by our City Planning and Development code.
Gresham First encourages the development of zoning regulations that will address concerns regarding the economic impacts to our community, including factors such as the nearby downtown business district, employment, wages, roads and other public services, historic resources, environmental impacts and traffic. This will help our region to make informed decisions about our future with objective information on the potential costs of large scale retail developments, without using an outright ban.
Please help protect the long-term health of our community by urging the Mayor and City Council to develop land-use polices that restrict the growth of predatory business, support downtown revitalization, and create an environment in which locally owned businesses can thrive. Note that City Council's 2005 Strategic Goals for Business & Economic Development included RECRUITING INDUSTRY TO CREATE FAMILY WAGE JOBS.
Click here for a sample letter...Write to the Mayor & City Council
City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Parkway
Gresham, OR 97030Charles J. Becker (Mayor) Molly.Cafferty@ci.gresham.or.us
Shane Bemis (2005 Council President) Shane.Bemis@ci.gresham.or.us
Shirley Craddick (Councilor, Position #3) Shirley.Craddick@ci.gresham.or.us
Karylinn Echols (Councilor, Position #1) Karylinn.Echols@ci.gresham.or.us
Jacquenette McIntire (Councilor, Position #2) Jacquenette.McIntire@ci.gresham.or.us
David Widmark (Councilor, Position #4) David.Widmark@ci.gresham.or.us
Paul Warr-King (Councilor, Position #5) Paul.Warr-King@ci.gresham.or.usMetro
While we are starting with our local government, such codes work best when adopted on a regional level. The Metro Policy Advisory Committee has already met to discuss the need for action. Our Metro Councilors need to hear public support regarding possible solutions to prepare for discussions in the coming months.
WHO IS MY COUNCILOR?
Click to access Metro websitePresident David Bragdon bragdond@metro.dst.or.us
Deputy Council President Rex Burkholder (District 5) burkholderr@metro.dst.or.us
Councilor Rod Park (District 1 - includes Gresham) parkr@metro.dst.or.us
Councilor Brian Newman (District 2) newmanb@metro.dst.or.us
Councilor Carl Hosticka (District 3) hostickac@metro.dst.or.us
Councilor Susan McLain (District 4) mclains@metro.dst.or.us
Councilor Robert Liberty (District 5) libertyr@metro.dst.or.us
MEDIA
Open letters to the Editors help to keep public awareness alive! Please use your own writing when submitting letters to the editor, but feel free to use our list of Concerns to help get you started.
The Oregonian: letters@news.oregonian.com
The Gresham Outlook: todell@theoutlookonline.com
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