Here are responses to some common questions related to the Colwood Rezoning Proposal:

How long has the Colwood Golf Course been open space?

Always. The only development in this area has been the golf course which was founded more than 80 years ago. The preservation of this area has been the result of providential happenstance. Reversing this good luck by allowing industrial development is contrary to the commitment and vision reflected in the City’s comprehensive plan.

Why should this be maintained as Open Space?

Colwood is not only zoned Open Space in the comprehensive plan, it is zoned with an environmental conservation overlay.

Open Space zoning is intended to preserve and enhance public and private open, natural, and improved park and recreational areas in the City. Colwood provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, is a natural contrast to the built environment, preserves scenic qualities of the City, protects a fragile environmental area, and preserves the capacity and water quality of the stormwater drainage system. Loss of this Open Space would impact all of these qualities and there would also be an enormous and permanent lost opportunity.

The area surrounding Colwood is [1] extremely deficient in parkland, natural areas, and other open space. Cully’s access rate is 2,780 people per park acre, compared with a citywide average of 40 people per park acre. This area cannot afford to lose 140 acres of open space. Loss of the Colwood open space could also result in a permanent gap in the [2] 40-Mile Loop Bike and Pedestrian Trail.

If the land owners want to sell under the current zoning, there is a real opportunity to acquire this area as a public park. This area has been [3] targeted for preservation and acquisition by Metro because the Columbia Slough “is one of very few areas in North and Northeast Portland with the potential for restoring fish and wildlife habitat.” Other funding mechanisms including use of [4] system development charges that are earmarked for parks. These funding sources may only be used for parks and would not affect the funding of other pressing needs in Northeast Portland.

Rezoning this area to industrial would increase the land value by up to ten-fold and make it impossible to preserve as a public space.

What would be the impact of allowing industrial development at Colwood?

In addition to a substantial and permanent loss of open space, the location of this open space is along the Columbia and Whitaker sloughs. These areas are sensitive wildlife areas that include fragile riparian zones and important buffers to these zones. A significant amount of riparian habitat in this area has already been lost. Losing even more of this habitat is not supported by the Comprehensive Plan’s goals for the local environment, Metro’s goal for the area, or local neighborhood plans.

The transition of this open space and habitat area to industrial use would also have a pronounced effect on local health. North and Northeast Portland already suffer from the long-term effects of [5] environmental injustice resulting from existing and historic industrial uses in the area. The significant impact of new air and water pollution sources on the health of local residents in addition to the effects on local wildlife should not be discounted.

Who wants to retain the Open Space zoning?

Many people have been making their voice heard on this issue and are still striving to protect this area. In addition to individual residents and businesses, a number of organizations have provided formal comment against the rezoning request on behalf of their members including:

• [6] Youth and Elders Council of the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
• Urban Greenspaces Institute
• Audubon Society
• Sierra Club
• Oregon Recreation and Park Association
• Friends of Smith and Bybee Lakes
• Cully Association of Neighbors
• Concordia Neighborhood Association
• Wilkes Community Group
• Parkrose Neighborhood Association
• Central Northeast Neighbors
• Northeast Coalition of Neighbors
• Fox Chase Business Association
• North Northeast Business Association

How can I help protect the Colwood Open Space?

Let your voice be heard! When this issue goes before the City Council, [7] contact the Mayor and City Commissioners and tell them to maintain Open Space zoning for every inch of Colwood. Tell them what having access to open space means to you.

Get other folks involved as well! Talk to your neighbors, co-workers, and friends about this issue. [8] Tell them about this website.

Contact [9] your neighborhood association and ask them to stand up for open space and the environment! Contact your local businesses and ask them to join other local businesses in supporting the livability and health of Portland’s residents.