GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS PROJECT REPORT
City of Albany, Oregon, November 1998
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FOREWORD
This report is a compilation of the ideas presented at a series of public meetings in Albany, Oregon, in November of 1998. The project name and meeting theme was "Great Neighborhoods." The City Council, Planning Commission, and staff asked Albany residents what they believe make a neighborhood a great place to live.
The material in this report is presented the way it was reported by the citizen "work teams" at the meetings. While City staff has organized the information by topic, there was a conscious effort not to edit or evaluate the material at this time.
Meetings were held in five locations. The contents of this report are identified as to the location that generated the comments as follows:
Mennonite Village (MV) 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 1998
Memorial Middle School (MMS) 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 1998
North Albany Middle School (NAMS) 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 1998
Calapooia Middle School (CMS) 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 1998
South Albany High School (SAHS) 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 23, 1998
The City will consider the land use ideas as it evaluates the Comprehensive Plan and Development Code as part of its Periodic Review process. In early 1999, work will begin on refining ideas and turning them into draft code language. Albany residents are welcome to serve on a self-selected Steering Committee that will work with City officials and project consultants. In the spring of 1999, the City will again go back out into the community-this time asking for feedback on how well the ideas generated in November are reflected in what is being proposed. Then, and only then, (setting the "Great Neighborhoods" project apart from the typical approach) is the formal public hearing process conducted before the Planning Commission and City Council followed by ultimate adoption of code changes by the Council.
Some of the ideas presented at the November meetings don't relate to land use. These ideas will be forwarded to the City Council and respective City departments for their consideration. Some will be sent to state or county government departments or the school district or to nonprofit agencies. Finally, Albany residents themselves can choose to take on a number of the good ideas in this report.
Funding for the "Great Neighborhoods" project was provided by the City of Albany and a Periodic Review grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development.
IN A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD...
Calapooia Middle School, 11/19/98
GROUP DISCUSSION
- People look out for each other, especially children and the elderly.
- Houses have a relationship to the street and aren't designed just for cars.
- Streets are designed so more people walk; streets are more narrow so cars slow down; sidewalks are set back from the street by a planter strip.
- There is more "green" (landscaping) and less pavement.
- There are gathering places (coffeehouses, parks, etc.).
- There are concerts in the park.
- Schools are open for neighborhood events (such as dances for teens with senior volunteering).
- There are people from all age and socio-economic groups.
- People work together.
- Residents take care of landscaping in planter strips to calm traffic and soften the feel.
- People listen (as we are doing tonight).
- People put the well being of their neighbors as a priority.
- People celebrate unique features (like historic homes).
- There is more than housing...there is shopping; there are jobs.
- Residents participate in events to celebrate.
- There are small blocks and lots of streets.
- There are opportunities like this meeting to give people the opportunity to connect.
- There is a diverse population, which enriches all of us.
- There are setback sidewalks, street trees; streets have curves (slows traffic).
- There is a mix of ages, backgrounds, races, housing types.
- Every house is within walking distance of open space (a "people calming" device).
Excerpt from a Citizen's E-mail
Message
Date: Monday, November 23, 1998
Great Neighborhoods:
- have mixed age, ethnic, economic and educated people.
- have multi-modal transportation options.
- have wide setback sidewalks, street trees and lighting.
- have human-scale street designs which control auto traffic.
- have a say in the livability of their community.
- have nearby open space.
- have neighbors who look for ways to bring people together, e.g. block parties, picnics, etc.
- have neighbors who respect each other regardless of race, religion, economic status or sexual orientation.
- have neighbors who are considerate of and watch out for each other.
- value and watch out for their children.
- involve children and adults in community service projects.
- have lots of varied activities for children and youths including but not limited to sports.
- have services within (5) minute walking distance; stores, shops, libraries, etc.
- have houses with porches and garages set back or in the rear.
- have recreation paths.
- may have high densities provided there is generous open space nearby.
- have open space which incorporates important environmental features such as wet lands, woods and water features.
- result from planning which separates heavy commercial/industrial development from residential areas.
- have connections to other neighborhoods and commercial areas which not only allow but encourage and facilitate transportation modes other than the automobile.
- support their young people and their elderly with community sponsored, effective transit system.
Excerpt from a Citizen's Letter
- Funding for improvements to wildlife habitats and water quality could be found through grants and expanded into the surrounding neighborhoods.
- Nonprofit advocacy groups (i.e., Friends of Albany Parks) could be established to access funding not available to governments, and to promote stewardship.
- There is a potential tourist business in Albany, and in Linn County, that has not been fully realized. Do the various business groups and government groups work together well enough to accomplish this?
- Could a program like Elderhostel, which brings folks from all over to learn and socialize, work in Albany with our history and other attractions?
- Our Willamette waterfront is a wonderful asset, and floating the river is a treat, but not everybody has a boat. Is there any way to encourage low-impact use of the Willamette, such as shuttling canoes and rafts between Hyak and Bowman parks? Could the city work with the Willamette Greenway to enhance the riverfront?
- Fountains are not items in garden stores, so people must like that sound of moving water. Could fountains be added in our public spaces? Could our existing (and buried) creeks and ditches become assets instead of eyesores?
- Bowers Rock State Park is on the map, but somehow it doesn't really exist. I was treated rudely by neighbors when I tried to walk there on a winter day. What's the story there?
- Ivy and blackberries are obliterating native species in our parks, and need to be replaced with appropriate plantings.
- River-friendly landscaping (many sources of information are available) could be required on city property, and encouraged on private property. Workshops, demonstrations, plant sales, partnerships with other groups could be useful.
- Landowners could be encouraged to put trash cans on their property for public use, perhaps by reduced rates from Albany-Lebanon Sanitation.
- Schools in Lebanon, Sweet Home, and Scio are participating through their science classes in efforts to monitor and improve water quality...why not here?
- The state at Monteith Park could be used for 'open mike' talent shows on Saturday afternoons.
- Heritage Mall has empty lots that could be used as playgrounds while waiting for tenants.
- Landowners that allow nearby apartment residents to use lots for community gardens could get some kind of a tax break or insurance allowance. Community gardens could get a reduced water rate, leaves for compost, etc., to encourage folks to beautify the area.
- Campers and homeless people living along the river or in other areas degrade the land and discourage the use of the parks. Why is this tolerated on public land?
- Homelessness should not be involuntary in our prosperous country today. Why do families with young children live down by the river every summer? What is our responsibility as a community?
- I believe in "infill" building to preserve our farmlands, and I accept that this infill will happen in my neighborhood. However, when I hear rumors that 53 units of low-income housing will be built in my neighborhood I anticipate bad feelings in the area. How can we create a feeling of welcoming our new neighbors instead of feeling like they're "crammed down our throats?" Could developers and planners sit down with a "Great Neighborhoods" committee to get a handle on situations like this?
- I moved back to Albany, where I grew up, after 25 years in California. I heard that over the years there had been an attitude built up that the ordinary guy always had to "fight the city." Alienation and resentment seemed to be a common attitude. This was exhausting for citizens and city personnel alike. Good work and accomplishment by city workers was overshadowed by the constant fault-finding of the citizens. Citizens felt that they were seen as the enemy. Such negativity is paralyzing. I refuse to live like that! "We win and you lose" is OK for football games, but "we win and you win too" is how to run a city. Let's all start winning now!!
MORE GROUP DISCUSSION
- There are more concerts in the park-use kids.
- There are more diverse age groups.
- There are open schools.
- There are people of all ages living in it and a number of different economic stratification.
- Everyone watches out for children.
- There are sidewalks (if people want).
- There are safe houses (block homes, police).
- People walk and see others.
- People sit on their front porch.
- Neighborhoods sign up for "Neighborhood Watch".
- Commercial areas are developed for people.
- People can walk, bicycle without threat of traffic-calming.
- There are planters and people maintain them.
- Speed reminder signs help control speed.
- There is lots of green space, and room to plant trees, flowers and grass.
- There are spaces where people can gather-parks, stoves, etc.
- People get together on a regular basis.
- Needs of youth-including job opportunities-are addressed with adult/youth dialogue.
- Space allows play in backyards.
- Housing mix includes big/little.
- A gathering place is available for free concerts, coffee, talk, meetings.
- Play areas with flowers make retrofitted old apartments better.
- Kids have places/creek to explore.
- Natural areas are protected.
- There are back gates out-open areas.
- Every house is walking distance to open space-people calming.
- People connect.
- Neighborhoods project good neighborliness and pride; are open to interaction
- People work together.
- Trees are planned.
- People listen.
- People look out for each other.
- There are bike/blade/walk paths.
- The well being of people is first priority.
- Uniqueness and history are celebrated.
- There are areas to interact-shopping/housing.
- People celebrate-picnics, other gatherings and visiting.
- There are small blocks, old houses.
- The people-take care of one another, reach out to everyone, care about health, well being of children, get to know others, allow small children and diversity including ages, races and backgrounds.
- Sidewalks are set back and expand neighborhoods
Growth and Its Relationship to Livability
- Density.
- Traffic.
- Parks (or not).
- Speeding in neighborhoods.
- Watching out for children.
Solutions
We want City Council to:
- Put roundabouts in neighborhood intersections, create narrower streets.
- Plant and maintain street trees.
- Let neighborhoods install speed bumps.
- Talk to neighborhood residents ("listen") about improvements.
- Community solutions:
- Watch out for each other.
- Get to know each other-families who belong, what is going on.
- Care for one another.
- Slow down.
- Watch out for senior citizens.
City solutions:
- Police patrol.
- Signs.
- Get people out of cars.
- Slow cars down.
- Reduce street width.
- Install speed bumps.
- Install street signs at exists to neighborhoods.
- Have space between houses.
LAND USE SUMMARY
South Albany High School, 11/23/98
[Ed.: Comments from the general discussion at South Albany High School were grouped by topic as the discussion proceeded. This page represents the grouping of those comments as they occurred.]
LAND USE includes:
- Coordinated Mixed Use Neighborhoods
- Open Space
- Without separation
- Accessible to neighborhoods
- Beautify parks
- Multi-use Recreation
- Community center(s) facilities
- Family fun center(s)
- At schools
- Spread Land Use Impacts Throughout Community
LAND USE equals...
- EDUCATION
- OPEN SPACE
- RECREATION
- ZONING
- Residential
- Commercial
- Industrial
- ACCESS-SAFE AND CONVENIENT:
- Streets
- Paths
- Walks
- ADA
- Information
- Community organizations
-"NO CURRENT CRISIS"-