[bwna] BWNA general mtg minutes, 10/14/02

[bwna@bwna.org]

Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association general meeting
14 October 2002

In attendance: Margaret Davis, Roger Meyer, Helen Koba, Melissa Ritter, Janet Baker, Patrick Sweeney, David Whitaker, Bill Markwart, Mario Caoile 

Absences: Willie Nolan, Heidi Blischke, Jim Karlock, Ted Perkins (excused), Jeanne Federovitch, Dale Griggs

Melissa Ritter called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Melissa had everyone introduce themselves, including Kevin and Beth Cavenaugh, our featured speaker, and various neighbors. 

Beaumont Middle School: Melissa reported that the principal has two requests: volunteers for before- and after-school programs and contributions toward the school’s “reward” program.

Melissa has received notice of a liquor license application filed by the French-American bistro that intends to open in the yellow house along Fremont near Beaumont Hardware. 

Home tour: The committee has dwindled to two members and needs more people to make the event happen. 

Minutes from the June general meeting were distributed and approved.

Treasurer’s report: (10/14/02)
Balance 7/10/02
Less checks $2,074.65
Deposits $2,713.
Balance $4,835.26

Neighbor survey: Melissa distributed the results. A few people chimed in with comments; Janet Baker suggested that we consider offering child care to help people attend the meetings. 

Land use: Patrick Sweeney talked about the grand opening of the CNN offices at the new fire station. He asked whether our membership had discussed the issue of an off-leash dog park. 

The Rose City Cemetery is going forward with its development proposal. The property is zoned open space and therefore one neighbor is campaigning to make the cemetery a better neighbor. 

City hall public hearing happens at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 22. Patrick will argue for a sidewalk on 47th and new, stronger street trees. We discussed other desirable improvements, like removing the slatted fence, adding view corridors at intersections, and generally opening up the cemetery.

Patrick welcomes more members for the land use committee. Next meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Alameda Brewhouse.

A neighbor asked about the schools’ recent proposal to sell “surplus lands.” Another meeting happens next week.

Guest speaker: Kevin Cavenaugh talked about his work as an architect and his most recent completed project on the old Rose’s Ice Cream site. He mentioned Tim Ray’s expired project that had been slated for two blocks up the street.

He reported that the downstairs tenant at the new building is a restaurant. He had a lot of calls early on from prospective tenants such as Kinko’s and health-care professionals, but he always envisioned a restaurant. Kevin talked about Marco Shaw, the chef, who’s now in charge of the space. The space seats 85 inside, 35 out. Three magnolias are wired for lights, as are the canopies.

The upper floor is a creative-service coop, shared by graphic designers, architects, a writer, etc. He welcomed neighbors to visit and see the space for themselves. One space is left out of 10 stations.

The building is certified a LEAD building, that is, a “green” building. It incorporates a high percentage of recycled materials and consumes 40 percent less energy than ordinary buildings.

He addressed the issue of the “blank” wall on the western property line and talked about signage he will use, including putting up the old Rose’s Ice Cream sign. Trees will be planted between the building and the dentist’s office next door.

A sculpture on the corner will go up by November 19, when the restaurant opens. 

Kevin pointed out an award he won recently for a development across the street from Esparza’s in Southeast Portland.

The group then talked about development generally along Fremont. Kevin favors more consistency in the zoning along Fremont to prevent awkward pedestrian environments and discordant activities and scales. He pointed out the pre-war/post-war style of the neighborhood. There is no dominant architectural style. 

 He said he suspected that a design overlay is harder to get than zoning changes. There is a fixed percentage of allowable design overlay zones. One has to be given up for another to be assigned. He recommended “throwing our arms around” the Beaumont Village length of Fremont and addressing its zoning inconsistency in a comprehensive way.

He has talked about having a flared curb from the new Rose’s over to the north side of Fremont that could be useful for a crosswalk or other traffic calming device.

Kevin mentioned that Tim Ray still owns the property at Fremont and 47th and has another plan in mind for it.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.