Aloha-Reedville Existing Conditions Report
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Aloha-Reedville Study & Livable Community Plan Existing Conditions Report June 2012 Appendix 10 This project also is funded in part through a Community Challenge Grant provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This material is based upon work supported by the FHWA under TDGII-P-35/Cooperative Agreement No. DTFH61-11-H-00011. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the Author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the FHWA. The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under an award with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government. The Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan is funded in part through a Construction Excise Tax (CET) grant from Metro. Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan Appendix 10 Report: Public Involvement June 11, 2012 Page 1 of 1 10 Public Involvement Appendix The Public Involvement Appendix provides background and detailed information on the outreach plan, and community input received through a variety of activities. The appendix includes the: 1. Public Engagement and Communications Plan for Phase 1 2. Statistically Valid Random Sample Survey reports (the first of two to be conducted in the process): Baseline Report, Cross-Tabulated Report, and Verbatim Response Report 3. Stakeholder Interviews 4. Phase 1 Interim Public Involvement and Input Summary #2 (March – November, 20111) 5. Tualatin Valley Highway Corridor Plan Public Input Summary (November, 2011) 6. Summary of Public Engagement Best Practices Roundtable Discussions Public involvement efforts are guided by the Public Engagement and Communications Plan. The Public Engagement and Communications Plan is scheduled for annual revisions to incorporate improved ways to get the community involved and to jettison those approaches that are not meeting expectations. Several early public involvement efforts have already contributed to building a foundation of understanding about the community. Future engagement efforts will build upon this foundation. Two surveys (Statistically Valid Random Sample Surveys) will be conducted over the course of the What Is That Term? project. The baseline survey was completed in Statistically Valid Random September, 2011 representing the views of 394 Sample Surveys community members. A follow-up survey will be conducted in late 2013 to assess changes in These types of surveys are generally community viewpoints. used to predict the responses of a population (within a given error range) Stakeholder interviews were conducted to gain based upon a random sample of that knowledge from long-time residents, business population. owners, and property owners about the study area. In this case those responding to the The interviews also sought to identify other Aloha-Reedville survey represented community members who should be involved in the approximately the same percentages as process. the demographic groups in the Aloha Census data. The Phase 1 Interim summary will continually be built upon throughout the process and each Industry standards are a survey of 200 substantial addition will be re-assessed and a new for a population over 2,000. summary provided. This current summary captures input from about 600 comments. Two roundtable discussions were convened by the county to identify best practices in engaging historically under-represented communities. The discussions included representatives from county and regional organizations and agencies that have demonstrated success in reaching these community members. A summary highlights those best practice efforts. 1 This report builds upon Phase 1 Interim Summary #1 March – August, 2011 http://www.co.washington.or.us/LUT/PlanningProjects/alohareedville/index.cfm Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan SUMMARY OF STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS October 21, 2011 JLA Public Involvement Aloha-Reedville Study & Livable Community Plan Community Interviews Summary November 18, 2011 Page 2 CONTENTS Introduction 3 Overview 3 Interview Format 3 Interview Findings 4 Consensus Themes 4 1. Infrastructure 4 2. Community Identity 5 3. Economic Development 6 4. Affordable Housing 9 5. Growth and Changing Population 10 6. Crime and Safety 10 7. Leadership 11 8. Area Planning and Zoning History 12 Suggestions for Community Engagement 13 Appendix A: Stakeholder Interview List 14 Appendix B: Interview Questions 15 www.co.washington.or.us/alohareedville Stakeholder Interview Summary Aloha-Reedville Study & Livable Community Plan Community Interviews Summary November 18, 2011 Page 3 INTRODUCTION The Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan is a three-year effort to identify ways to enhance community livability and impact the future growth in the area. The study will identify transportation improvements and possible zoning changes that could support job growth, business development, increase affordable housing options, and provide more access to public transit and more options for biking and walking. Identifying these options along with community aspirations will play a vital role in discussions about where the community wants to go and how those outcomes could be achieved. Although this study is primarily a transportation, affordable housing and economic analysis, the study may serve as a catalyst for future planning efforts and discussion amongst service providers to the study area. Overview Between September and October, Eryn Deeming Kehe of JLA Public Involvement and Dena Marshall of Marshall Mediation (a sub-contractor to JLA) conducted 12 interviews with individuals who represent a range of local and regional interest groups, neighborhood associations, property owners and community facilities. The purpose of the interviews was to understand stakeholders’ perspectives and gather their input in order to learn about the project area and inform future outreach efforts. In addition to gathering information from key stakeholders, the interviews were intended to introduce and/or update them about the Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan project. Interview Format Interviews were casual and conversational in format. Specific questions are contained in Attachment B. Questions ranged from stakeholders’ desired project outcomes and anticipated challenges, to their thoughts on the best ways to engage community members. www.co.washington.or.us/alohareedville Stakeholder Interview Summary Aloha-Reedville Study & Livable Community Plan Community Interviews Summary November 18, 2011 Page 4 INTERVIEW FINDINGS All interviewees were asked a series of questions according to their role in the community (see Appendix B: Interview Questions). The comments have been organized by topic and paraphrased to capture the main perceptions of the speaker. Comments are not attributed to any one person. Themes When asked about the community’s needs, a high level of agreement and interest was identified on the following topics: 1) Infrastructure The majority of interviewees describe Tualatin Valley Highway (TV Highway), a thoroughfare between Hillsboro and Beaverton, to be overly congested and in need of repairs, additional sidewalks and safe pedestrian crosswalks. In addition, there was general agreement that a successful plan will incorporate improvements to transportation infrastructure and public transit in Aloha-Reedville. The following list is a sample of infrastructure comments received in three categories: existing conditions, rail and freight, and areas of opportunity. These are direct comments from individuals and represent a sample of comments received. They do not necessarily represent the feeling of a majority of those interviewed. Existing Conditions a. Roads Roads in the area, including TV highway, are congested and in need of repairs. Some community members believe that TV Highway is unsafe because it is over capacity. The 1980s community plan did not result in needed infrastructure investments for all transportation modes, specifically, the Westside Bypass freeway that was planned. There are not enough crosswalks, traffic lights, or street lights on TV Highway and other major streets to make for safe crossing. People want to see more sidewalks on major streets. People do want to see bike lanes – believing that people will start to bike more often if they feel safe on the streets. Aloha-Reedville does not need a $2 million study. Funding should be spent on fixing existing infrastructure (roads, ditches, paving), as the private sector will respond. www.co.washington.or.us/alohareedville Stakeholder Interview Summary Aloha-Reedville Study & Livable Community Plan Community Interviews Summary November 18, 2011 Page 5 TV Highway has declined over the years; however Baseline seems to be holding its own. TV Highway has high volume of automobile traffic, proving bus lines in the area valuable. b. Rail and Freight The railroad is a big challenge. It’s hard to get to businesses on the other side of TV Highway. Infrastructure Areas of Opportunity The heart of the planning process must link back to the transportation plan. Construct safe passageways: more sidewalks, crosswalks, and street lights.