Update to Urban Reserves

http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/news/story_2nd.php?story_id=125633065342299000
State slams Washington County reserve designation, by Christian Gaston of The Forest Grove News-Times

Commentary: This is basically the same news as I posted last time. Except with a better summary in the FGNT paper. The graphic from the Hillsboro Argus was nice though. ;)

Excerpts: "Forest Grove and Cornelius’s hopes to expand north of Council Creek have been met with controversy, with the Washington County Farm Bureau and 1000 Friends of Oregon pitching steep opposition."

"The foursome – Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen, Clackamas County Commissioner Charlotte Lehan, Washington County Chairman Tom Brian and Metro Councilor Kathryn Harrington – met last week and developed a list of tentative urban reserve and rural reserve designations."

"The list is more notable for the 27,106 acres of reserves the four didn’t agree on – and subsequently left for further discussion. Land north of Forest Grove and Cornelius, which farming advocates oppose including in urban reserve, land north of Hillsboro and Highway 26 and the Stafford triangle are some of the most notable lands."

Quick update on Urban Reserves

http://blog.oregonlive.com/hillsboroargus/2009/10/reserves_leaders_some_areas_ar.html

'Reserves leaders: Some areas are easy to agree upon' by Nick Christensen, the Hillsboro Argus.

In summary: Cornelius wants lands north of Council Creek for Industrial land expansion, the preliminary agreed upon areas remains south of the exisitng UGB. However, north of Council Creek is label as "Urban Areas for Further Discussion". This was the area Washington County helped Cornelius recommend as Urban Reserves on September 21, 2009.

Personal Take on Today's "Field Research"

I must say this is the first time I've actually been excited and anticipating checking out a construction site. It's very personal to see the place you call home and the surrounding areas change, for better or for worse; i.e. beneficial construction or graffiti on the other end. That's the main reason I've taken such an interest in planning, developments, and changes that can & will affect the place I call home today & in the future.

It was refreshing to be out there today on a beautiful Saturday afternoon...experiencing the Change first-hand with some other Cornelius residents I came across in support of the Walmart coming to town. It was nice to talk positively about our City...the progress made on the roadways and Main-Street area of Adair...the lights, the furniture, and all the new sidewalks. Great things to speak of in such gloomy recession minded times.

So I was like a grown-up kid watching his Tonka trucks move around...I describe it as an Onsite CATerpillar Demonstration..I mean...all the types of Machinery you can think of were out there. And these guys are working Fast...pushing dirt...rolling over it...time and time again...spraying water on it...dumping more dirt...non-stop. And to know that this has been going on for just a week or so...is impressive.. All 16 acres of the property look like they've been altered by these machines already. Hard to imagine that this was once thought to be the place for more cul-de-saqs, residences, a road, and several lots. Now that plan and those old homes, and the grass field are gone and soon so will the trees...all to make way for Commerce.

I welcome Walmart because I know it will attract many to at least shop in Cornelius and make us known for something more than the tiny town between Hillsboro & Forest Grove that's 3 miles wide. I don't care that we'll probably be known as the place where 'That Walmart Is". I think we're all in hopes of getting decent restaurants and shops in the area. Making this place we call home more livable and sustainable by the day. Thank you Walmart and welcome to our town of 10-11,000.

First Video of Photo Set - Walmart Site and Misc.

This is the first of hopefully many videos to come over the next several weeks of construction of our future beloved Walmart. My gf and I drove around the site starting from the NW corner (manufactured home area/fire access entrance)...around through 4th...and finally crossing Adair. The photos I took are basically facing the future 'entrances' to the Walmart. Get a good look of the views and the trees...because they will soon be gone to make way for Walmart.

I had the pleasure of meeting a senior couple that lives near the Northern fence of the property...Pat & Jerry. The nicest people...they're dealing with the pains of Construction literally next to their home - shaking of the plates...engine noise etc. But Pat said she can't wait for "Wally"... its been a long time coming [4-5 years]. Jerry too was taking photos of all the activity.

To describe the environment...they could spray water on bulldozers with a garden hose, they're so close. I let Pat and Jerry in on the plans as I understand them from site-plans...what the view from their house will look like etc. They were truely excited. Til next time. ~Jose

Another article about Walmart making headway

Cornelius Wal-Mart lurches toward 2010 opening, C. Gaston, Forest Grove Newstimes

http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=125503831177416600

Shown in the photo above [from article] is equipment and work in progress overseen by Engineered Structures Inc. of Boise, Idaho.

Walmart Site Activity - Woohoo!

Engineered Structures Inc. (ESI) has been desginated as the General Contactor on the project. Work on the intersection of 4th has been started. Pictures to follow. Below is a Hillsboro Argus bulletin.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/1254853229176660.xml&coll=6

Excerpt: "A Wal-Mart spokesman said Monday that an official groundbreaking could be scheduled for the next few weeks. " ... "Construction of a store typically takes nine months to a year, setting up a late 2010 opening -just in time for the holiday shopping season."

Metro- Making the Greatest Place - Public Hearing (Beaverton City Hall)

My 5 min & 1.7 seconds of fame! I was alloted 2 minutes to speak like everyone else at Metro's Public Hearing for their Making the Greatest Place agenda item. Timer is circled in white. Councilours from Left to Right, Rex B., Counc. Park, Counc. Libery, Counc. Carl Hosticka, Pres. D. Bragdon, and Kathryn Harrington (not shown in picture).

I read a letter that I'd handed to the 12 people on the Dais...Michael Jordan stepped into the audience half way through the 29 people testifying. 5 other guest representatives were on the Dais/Daus...1 rep for Washinton County, 1 for Tigard, 1 for North Plains, 1 from Cornelius [Jef Dalin, Woohoo!] ...and 1 other I forget...I think Tualatin maybe.

Anyhow...the hearing started about 5:15 -> 8:00. These poor guys/gals had to sit through it all. With the occasional break, stepping away from the forum.


Here's the transcript of the letter I read/handed out:

I’ve been on the Cornelius Planning Commission for 6 months now, so I’m a
rookie to land use planning. Before then, I had little knowledge of
Cornelius’s UGB lines, parks, its small library, or how low budget the city is.
That all changed once I took notice of development along the main street and
also Hillsboro Argus headlines regarding Walmart or Mayor Kidd and his MAX to
Forest Grove. In fact, next week Cornelius will celebrate the completion of the
Adair Main Street project after 10 years of work, made possible primarily with
grant money. All of you are invited.

I’m disappointed with Metro
staff’s stance on Cornelius specifically. It’s okay that you close the
‘chapters’ on Cornelius during UGB expansion requests, but recommending against
any land north of Council Creek as offlimits for Urban Reserves is closing the
‘book’ on our aspirations for a self-sustaining community. It’s a stretch to
call Cornelius a great place to live, but certainly it is not a great place to
Work. Not yet that is. Lastly, Metro’s idea of growing south seem premature,
given most lands north of the Tualatin are Flood Plain, with peaks and valleys.
Not very attractive for future industrial partners.

Now I
understand Hillsboro is the STAR of the Region. It’s drawn the interests of
Intel, Genetech, Solarworld and countless others to the region, bringing 1000’s
of jobs and making Washington County very marketable in the process.
Establishing places like Tanasbourne, world-class Orenco Station, and a
beautiful network of parks. Please allow Cornelius the opportunity over the next
50 years to fill in and be more like its big brother
Hillsboro.

Some recent examples to note, Cornelius parks have been
largely untouched over its history, Kids and their families rely heavily on
basketball hoops on the streets, roaming the streets on bicycles, or playing on
School District lands. Graffiti is a nuisance all throughout our neighbors. And
the growing % of disabled people learn to maneuver around broken pavement that
is beyond disrepair. Please help Cornelius sustain itself for the long haul to
come and not Band-Aid issues with funding support at Metro discretion.

After the meeting Metro Councilour Rex B stopped by to say Hello and Thank me for sitting through the whole meeting. Nice to have face time with our elected officials.