Author: Chris Waldmann

March 14, 2024 SNA General & Board Meeting

The SNA’s March General and Board Meeting will be held Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 7:00pm. Our focus this month is the proposal from Inner Eastside for All to change the zoning in inner eastside neighborhoods, including Sunnyside, to allow for denser housing development. You can learn more about the proposal at Portland Neighbors Welcome.

Meeting is open to the public. 

Meeting Agenda. Times are approximate. Agenda items are subject to change.

This meeting will be held in person at SE Uplift (3534 SE Main St, Portland, OR 97214) and virtually at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85776168096?pwd=dTU3V0wycWZxTmhSVGNjNjJxdjNldz09

 

News from the President

Hi Sunnyside and welcome to March! We made it through the heart of winter and spring is on the horizon. Personal YAY!

In February we had a special off-cycle General Meeting to hear from our local state representative Rob Nosse. First, I would like to thank Rep. Nosse for taking time out of his busy short session legislative schedule to meet with us. I’m so glad that we were able to hear his thoughts on such important issues as reforming Measure 110, the governor’s housing plan, the chronic underfunding of Oregon schools and his own bill to improve arts funding. By the time you read this, we will know where the legislature landed on these issues. Rep. Nosse was inclined to support some form of re-criminalization of drug possession, while continuing a focus on getting people into treatment as an alternative to the criminal justice system. He also seemed in favor of the general outlines of the housing package, noting that Portland’s urban growth boundary would most likely not be affected. Instead, the boundaries around suburban and exurban locales such as Gresham and Sandy could expand to support housing development.

Also in February, we welcomed the newest member of the SNA leadership team! Nathan Broden has joined us as our liaison to the Sunnyside Environmental School (SES) PTSA. He teaches gardening at SES and is a Sunnyside resident. Thanks for taking the time to contribute even more to the community, Nathan!

In March, we will be hearing about an endorsement request from Inner Eastside for All which is seeking a change in the zoning of inner eastside neighborhoods, including Sunnyside, to enable increased denser development inside neighborhood borders. You can read more about this effort below. Please join us for this discussion. Bring your questions and help the SNA Board decide if this is an effort that we should support.

One final note, our annual Board elections are coming up in May! Do you think you might want to join the Board to help shape city policies, manage projects for the neighborhood and meet a lot of awesome people? Please join us! If you have questions or think you might be interested, you can reach out to us at [email protected] or directly to me at [email protected].

February 8, 2024 SNA General & Board Meeting

The SNA’s February General and Board Meeting will be held Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 7:00pm.

This is a special general meeting outside our usual bi-monthly schedule. We will have Representative Rob Nosse (D-SE Portland) with us to give a briefing, answer your questions and hear your comments here at the beginning of the short legislative session.

Meeting is open to the public. 

Meeting Agenda. Times are approximate. Agenda items are subject to change.

This meeting will be held in person at SE Uplift (3534 SE Main St, Portland, OR 97214) and virtually at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85776168096?pwd=dTU3V0wycWZxTmhSVGNjNjJxdjNldz09

 

January 11, 2024 SNA General & Board Meeting

The SNA’s November General and Board Meeting will be held Thursday, January, 11 2024, at 7:00pm.

Meeting is open to the public. 

Meeting Agenda. Times are approximate. Agenda items are subject to change.

This meeting will be held in person at SE Uplift (3534 SE Main St, Portland, OR 97214) and virtually at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85776168096?pwd=dTU3V0wycWZxTmhSVGNjNjJxdjNldz09

 

News from the President

Happy New Year Sunnyside! Here’s to a bright and joyful 2024 full of renewal for Portland and joy for you and for your family.

It’s still a busy Christmas time while I am writing this, so just a couple of quick notes this month….

First, our next General Meeting at SE Uplift on January 11th at 7 p.m. will double as a public engagement meeting for the Multnomah County Library system regarding the Belmont Library renovations. If you came to our last meeting in November and heard about the plans, come back and ask any questions you have. If you missed that meeting, here is another opportunity to learn about the coming changes to your local library and provide feedback.

Second, have you heard about the new Play Streets program from PBOT? This program aims to transform neighborhood streets into recurring pop-up community hubs for socializing, play and physical activity. Events might include games, cultural performances, kids demonstrations and more. The best part is that the city can provide up to $5000 in funding, training and access to city amenities like the mobile library truck. Learn more at portland.gov/transportation/permitting/learn-about-play-streets-program. If you and some neighbors are interested, the SNA can help! We, through our relationship with SE Uplift, can act as your nonprofit fiscal sponsor and help with coordination and outreach. Please contact us ASAP at [email protected]. Applications are due January 31st, so don’t wait!

Finally, thank you to all the volunteers who helped organize, promote, and staff our 4th Annual Winter Clothing Drive. The event was a huge success, thanks in part to all of you who volunteered your time and energy and those in the neighborhood who donated warm coats, sweaters, tents, sleeping bags, etc.  We truly appreciate that you care about your houseless neighbors. And, a big thanks to local businesses ¿Porque No?, Dove Vivi, Henry Higgins Bagels, and New Seasons for donating food and/or gift certificates so we could buy warm food for our houseless friends.