tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post8910445055392975601..comments2024-03-25T17:49:41.408-07:00Comments on Salem Breakfast on Bikes: Why Can't we get Sidewalks?! Trouble on the Edges at Planning CommissionSalem Breakfast on Bikeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618055627843335993noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-24661846742433626792014-05-06T11:16:46.861-07:002014-05-06T11:16:46.861-07:00SBOB, since we're revealing deleted draft para...SBOB, since we're revealing deleted draft paragraphs here, I deleted a paragraph that suggested that one reason so much of Salem's ornamental emptiness is empty is that most people have their own back yards and are not inclined to use public space on a regular basis.Laurie Doughertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11824401850721009298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-8134678203986951972014-05-05T22:23:27.297-07:002014-05-05T22:23:27.297-07:00Dang! On the one hand, that's a great story a...Dang! On the one hand, that's a great story about a creative solution in a difficult environment, Susann!<br /><br />On the other hand, the solution doesn't scale - you can't reliably repeat it around the city in different places, and it's not something you can bake into an "official" process. It can't become a normal solution. I don't read you as suggesting it should be replicated as an expected solution, but it's a reminder that we should have systems in place that will reliably fix these things and not have to depend on instances of special bond funding.<br /><br />(@Laurie - It's funny, I struck out a draft paragraph on our propensity for "gadget green" solutions here, so you're exactly right to read a subtext of critique for discrete green elements!)Salem Breakfast on Bikeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15618055627843335993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-21982692051976096552014-05-05T18:17:50.727-07:002014-05-05T18:17:50.727-07:00As you say SBOB, it's not a case of big, bad d...As you say SBOB, it's not a case of big, bad developer. What it is is a case of Salem being a city in name only. People here think of sustainability in terms of discrete "green" things: solar panels on a roof, a bioswale around a building or using the recycling bin, for example. Or it's all about local food and local business. This is all great but way short of the kind of systemic thinking that's needed <br /><br />SBOB is the only Salem group I've found so far that gets that urban sustainability requires thinking about the city as a system and it requires compressing distances: home/work/school/shopping/services/entertainment/recreation. Compressing distances means density and mixed use. <br /><br />All those apartment complexes on the fringes never made any sense to me because, even if there were sidewalks, there's nothing to get to without using a car.<br /><br />Meanwhile, in central area neighborhoods, where density and mixed use development could really complement each other, Salem looks, feels and acts like a 1950s era suburb. And that seems to be the way people want it to remain.Laurie Doughertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11824401850721009298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-27453179231882341672014-05-05T16:48:21.370-07:002014-05-05T16:48:21.370-07:00Some years ago ELNA had a similar issue with a sub...Some years ago ELNA had a similar issue with a subdivision that was not connected to the rest of the world by an improved street. The City held that it could not require off site improvements. ELNA held that there must be a safe passage to access a subdivision. The developer was only required to have a paved access street that was 20 feet wide and had gravel walkways. We wanted 28 foot wide street with curbs and sidewalks.We lost our appeal to the Planning Commission. So, we filed an appeal to LUBA. <br /><br />As the case drug on into the second year, the developer finally agreed to a settlement. They agreed to provide some of the materials and some of the grading for the street etc, if the neighbors supplied the rest of the materials and labor to construct the sidewalks.<br /><br />We were able to have the developer grade and prep the street. The city paid for the extra pavement and then the developer put in the street and curbs as they did the rest of the development. Then we contacted Chemeketa Community College that had a class in laying concrete to do the sidewalks. The city provided supervision so that it would be done to Salem standards. <br /><br />This project turned out to be a win-win for both the neighborhood and the developer.<br /><br />I do not think that anything has changed in the current City policies that allow for off site connectivity or safety.<br /><br />Perhaps there are funds in the remaining street bond. At the very least the Neighborhood Association needs to make sure the area is in the next street bond with the highest priority.Susann Kaltwassernoreply@blogger.com