Thank you for your input.
Kathy Fuerstenau, CAN chair
By Kathy Fuerstenau
Colwood is zoned Open Space with an environmental conservation overlay.
Open Space zoning is intended to preserve and enhance public and private open, natural, and improved park and recreational areas in the City. Colwood provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, is a natural contrast to the built environment, preserves scenic qualities of the City, protects a fragile environmental area, and preserves the capacity and water quality of the stormwater drainage system. Loss of this Open Space would impact all of these qualities and there would also be an enormous and permanent lost opportunity.
The area surrounding Colwood is extremely deficient in parkland, natural areas, and other open space. Cully's access rate is 2,780 people per park acre, compared with a citywide average of 40 people per park acre. This area cannot afford to lose 140 acres of open space. Loss of the Colwood open space could also result in a permanent gap in the 40-Mile Loop Bike and Pedestrian Trail.
In addition to a substantial and permanent loss of open space, the location of this open space is along the Columbia and Whitaker sloughs. These areas are sensitive wildlife areas that include fragile riparian zones and important buffers to these zones. A significant amount of riparian habitat in this area has already been lost. Losing even more of this habitat is not supported by the Comprehensive Plan's goals for the local environment, Metro's goal for the area, or local neighborhood plans.
The transition of this open space and habitat area to industrial use would also have a pronounced effect on local health. North and Northeast Portland already suffer from the long-term effects of environmental injustice resulting from existing and historic industrial uses in the area. The significant impact of new air and water pollution sources on the health of local residents in addition to the effects on local wildlife should not be discounted.
Creation a public park in the area would enhance the livability of Portland and the region. If the landowners wish to sell under the existing zoning, every resident, business, and organization supporting retaining the open space zoning is ready to ask for Metro and/or the City to step up and buy it.
As for funding available for this acquisition, this area has been targeted for preservation and acquisition by Metro because the Columbia Slough "is one of very few areas in North and Northeast Portland with the potential for restoring fish and wildlife habitat." In addition, Portland's system development charges that are earmarked for parks could be used for acquisition.
It is important to note that both of these funding sources may only be used for park and open space acquisition. Use of these funds would not affect the funding of other pressing needs in the City.
Like Oxbow - a Colwood Regional Park would protect local habitat, provide greater access to nature areas, and enhance local recreational opportunities for Portland residents and others in the region in perpetuity.
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