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to Transportation Issues at L&C
by Kevin Minoli
What was the biggest news story to come out of Lewis & Clark last year?
I mean besides Monica.
The talk of the school, as well as in some circles in Portland, was a group of students who were fighting L&C’s request to build a parking lot on campus. The debate was the topic of a few articles in The Oregonian (including one on the front page this July), a spot on the news, and a series of articles in the Multnomah Village Post. Chances are you have heard rumors or have even read some of the articles yourself.
For those of you who are new here, you may be asking yourself “how did we get here?” How does the nation’s number one environmental law school end up on the receiving end of an appeal filed with Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals? This article will attempt to answer that question, and give you the history of events which led us to where we are today.
First, let me own up to my biases. I am one of the founding members of the Coalition Advocating Transportation Sensibilities (CATS), and have testified against the proposed lot at both hearings so far. With that said, this article will attempt to give you the history of the controversy free of my personal beliefs.
Last summer, while students were away, Lewis and Clark filed a Master Plan amendment with the city of Portland. Master Plans are ten-year plans, which certain landowners must file with the city, explaining what changes the owner foresees over the life of the plan. One piece of the amendment package stood out—a 176-space parking lot on the edge of Tryon Creek State Park and adjacent to the softball fields.
The Huston Lot, as it is called, was designed to serve the law school community and was the school’s attempt to consolidate parking near the law school. Originally, the lot protruded into an Environmental Conservation (EC) Zone, an area of designated environmental importance because of its proximity to a small stream which feeds Tryon Creek. The school later redesigned the lot to keep it outside of the EC zone, but the plan still requires the school to fill two small wetlands.
School began quietly, but one week in September, everything blew up. Students heard about the plan and began to ask questions as to when it was formed, when it was submitted, and who knew about it? Word circulated through the student body that the administration had developed these plans with little to no input from current students. Although some students were involved in discussions about the lot at some time prior to last year, the administration acknowledged that those students may have graduated and left the school before any action was taken. In addition, the discussions had only entailed locating the parking lot on the land where the softball fields are located, which would have meant relocating the softball fields to property owned by Riverview Cemetery. Negotiations with Riverview broke down, and the college changed its plans, relocating the site of the proposed lot to the area between Huston Fields and the Tryon Creek bike path, but failing to notify students in the process.
SBA organized a meeting with Dean Huffman and Michael Sestric, the Facilities Planner for the college. At the meeting, the students, who felt there was no room for meaningful dialogue if the college was still moving forward, laid down a demand: pull the plan. The college refused, explaining that the parking lot was a small piece of the amendment and logistically it would set them back months if they were to pull it. They promised to listen to the students and change their plans if someone presented a better option, but also said they were confident that no better option existed.
Although many students stayed firm in their demands, the meetings continued weekly throughout much of September and October. At the students’ request, the school led a tour of the site, marked the site boundaries, and brought the school’s attorneys from Stoel Rives in. Even with these discussions, however, neither side was convincing the other of anything.
In late November, students and administrators faced off in front of Elizabeth Normand, Hearings Officer for the City of Portland. The school unveiled their scaled-back plan for the lot, while students, neighborhood residents and community members testified that the adjustment was not sufficient. Student opposition focused on traffic and student safety concerns, the potential environmental damage and the lack of a complete transportation demand management (TDM) program. After taking months to review the record, Normand found for the college, approving their Master Plan.
The students and neighbors were not convinced, however, and the Collins View Neighborhood Association filed an appeal to Portland City Council. For the appeal, students combined their efforts with neighborhood leaders, and once again highlighted safety, traffic and environmental concerns. Although the mayor and virtually every commissioner expressed their disappointment with the plan and their respect for the students, they unanimously agreed that the students’ arguments lacked the legal foundation necessary for them to stop the plan. Once again, the Master Plan was approved.
Just this summer, a year after the controversy began, students took the debate to a new level, filing an appeal with the Land Use Board of Appeals. The ten individuals who brought the suit represent every class at the law school and several alumni. Dozens of students who were overseas this summer or otherwise unable to join the suit are helping with the legal work or supporting the cause. CATS believes in solving transportation problems on campus by utilizing prudent, sustainable measures of alternative transportation. Regardless of the outcome of the LUBA suit, CATS will continue to push for improvements to the college and law school’s TDM program.
You can support the LUBA appeal and other CATS projects by cleaning out your garage and bringing items to the next CATS garage sale. It will be at 3950 SE Lincoln the weekend of Sep 12. Hours are Fri, 3-8; Sat, 8-5. For more info, please send email to brett@lclark.edu.