October 2018        Kerns Neighborhood Association Newsletter

Free The Neighborhood Of Hate & Bias

Always treat fellow community members with dignity and respect.

There should be no place in the city for hate or harassment to be accepted.

What is a Hate/Bias Incident?

Concerned communities define and experience hate as any incident that targets an individual/group

based on their age, color, religion, disability (physical or mental), race, ethnicity, national origin, sex,

gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and so on.

That can be intolerance, discrimination, hostility, harassment, hate, mistreatment, prejudice, bigotry, injustice, favoritism, homophobia, xenophobia, racism, tendency, ageism, privilege, marginalization,
retaliation, bullying, incivility, stereotyping, and microaggressions.

The perpetrator of the incident can be an individual, organization,
government agency etc.

Examples Of Incidents Include:

Should you experience or want to report harassment or intimidation, resources are available below.

 Portland Police Bureau
SE Uplift
Portland United Against Hate. 

Residential Infill Update

Residential Infill Project is updating Portland’s single-dwelling zoning rules to better meet the changing housing needs of current and future residents. The project addresses three topic areas: scale of houses, housing options and narrow lots.
MORE INFO www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/infill

Summary of PSC’s Possible Amendments

The PSC felt the initial staff proposals did not go far enough to address the housing shortage in Portland. Their proposed amendments increase the flexibility and number of units allowed in the “a” overlay zone and expand its application.  Below are the more significant changes PSC is contemplating:

• Expand the new “a” overlay zone to almost all R2.5, R5 and R7 lots (with some exceptions for natural hazards/resources and infrastructure constraints)
• In the new “a” overlay zone allow fourplexes by right on corner and non-corner lots
• Increase the allowed FAR for duplexes and triplexes (no FAR increase for a fourplex)

Example on a R5 lot: 1 unit (house) 0.5 FAR—same as Proposed Draft; 2 units 0.6 FAR; and 3 or 4 units 0.7 FAR

• Additional 0.1 FAR for keeping an existing house or for providing one affordable unit (80% MFI)
• Require 1 visitable unit—with no step entry and bathroom and living space on ground floor—on lots with three or four units
• Drop the minimum parking requirements

Summary of PSC’s Possible Amendments

The PSC felt the initial staff proposals did not go far enough to address the housing shortage in Portland. Their proposed amendments increase the flexibility and number of units allowed in the “a” overlay zone and expand its application.  Below are the more significant changes PSC is contemplating:

• Expand the new “a” overlay zone to almost all R2.5, R5 and R7 lots (with some exceptions for natural hazards/resources and infrastructure constraints)
• In the new “a” overlay zone allow fourplexes by right on corner and non-corner lots
• Increase the allowed FAR for duplexes and triplexes (no FAR increase for a fourplex)

Example on a R5 lot: 1 unit (house) 0.5 FAR—same as Proposed Draft; 2 units 0.6 FAR; and 3 or 4 units 0.7 FAR

• Additional 0.1 FAR for keeping an existing house or for providing one affordable unit (80% MFI)
• Require 1 visitable unit—with no step entry and bathroom and living space on ground floor—on lots with three or four units
• Drop the minimum parking requirements

Summaries of the PSC’s tentative direction:

• Draft Proposals Reflecting PSC’s Tentative Direction. To see how PSC’s tentative direction would change the proposals of the April Proposed Draft, staff has prepared a strike-thru underline version that reflects PSC’s tentative direction from their September 11 work session.
• Revised Summary of Draft Proposals. Based on PSC’s tentative direction staff has reorganized the draft proposals into two topic areas: 1) housing options and scale; and 2) building design.
• Map of “a” overlay with PSC’s tentative direction. PSC’s tentative direction  expands the “a” concept overlay map to almost all R2.5, R5 and R7 lots, with some exceptions for natural hazard and resources as well as infrastructure constraints.

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/76588

Fall Tips For Renters

Outside Maintenance

• Adjust the frequency of the watering system accordingly and when appropriate, turn it completely off.

• Rake up leaves so grass does not die or create molds and fungus.

• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots to prepare for possible freezing.

• Report any problems with standing water to your Property Manager.

• The days are shorter and darker earlier, therefore, be sure to remove any debris or object which could cause injuries.

• Trim bushes away from house and weed garden beds in preparation for winter. This is also a safety item around walkways as well.

• Turn on outdoor lights when appropriate, such as trick or treaters, but to save on energy bills, turn off during the day.

• Keep debris away from house and dispose properly to prevent unnecessary fires or pests.

• If you have a fireplace, NEVER put warm or hot ashes in a trash can. Instead, place in a metal container away from the residence until cold, then dispose of properly.

• If you put up holiday lights, please remove them when the holiday is over. Do not leave holiday lights on when you are not in the residence.

• If you have a live tree during the holidays, be sure to keep it watered and dispose of it properly and immediately after the holiday is over.

• Check indoor holiday lights and/or pre-lit trees carefully for safety and do not leave on when you leave the residence. Dispose of any possible hazardous lights.

Inside Maintenance

• Check your smoke alarm and if not working, replace the battery. If it still does not work, report it immediately to your property manager. This is an important safety item for you and your family.

• Change the filter if you have a forced air system. This is important to do throughout the year. It will lead to lower heating bills and help keep the air cleaner in your home.

• Check dryer vents regularly to remove debris. This will increase the efficiency and avoid a possible fire.

• Check your windows and doors for proper closure and locking.

• Close all windows and doors when leaving the resident to prevent rain damage and increase safety.

• If there is a fireplace in your residence, make sure the flue is open before lighting the fire.

• If when you do use your fireplace and there are any problems, immediately extinguish the fire, and notify your Property Manager immediately.

Check your renters’ insurance coverage yearly and if you do not have insurance, consider taking out a policy. 

The Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) will be a November 2018 city ballot measure that would raise $30 million per year to weatherize homes, build rooftop solar, provide job training, grow local food production, and fund green infrastructure.

See what you think about it!

We will meet in the neighborhood and go on an improvement mission.

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