Mayor Sam Adams

On July 29 at 6 p.m., the Portland City Council will hear a report from the West Hayden Island Working Group (CWG), presented by Chair Anne Squire. 

I believe there's real potential and demonstrated need for both world-class habitat and a Port facility on West Hayden Island. 

But I know much work--and more due diligence--remains to be done.

In 2009 I asked the working group to consider the future of West Hayden Island (WHI).  Specifically, their charge was to:

“advise City Council on how marine industrial, habitat, and recreational uses might be reconciled on WHI; and, if the CWG determines that a mix of uses is possible on WHI, to recommend a preferred concept plan.” 

The CWG has thoughtfully discussed this question over the past year.  To assist the CWG, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability worked with a consultant, ENTRIX, to prepare several technical “Foundation Studies” exploring the relevant economic and ecological facts.  While the CWG remains divided on the question posed to them, I want to acknowledge their hard work.  In particular, I believe the principles and points of agreement they have outlined in their report can be a starting point for further productive discussion about the future of WHI. 

In order to give some structure to the Council’s discussion on July 29, I have offered a resolution (PDF) recommending how we might proceed.  After considering the CWG’s report, and the Foundation Studies, I recommend that the City continue planning for the future use of WHI, subject to the following parameters:

• At least 500 acres of the site should be designated as permanent open space, and managed as a natural area for the benefit of the regional ecosystem.  I would like the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to explore how that might be accomplished (land ownership options, how to pay for ongoing land management, etc.)
  
  
• No more than 300 acres should be designated for future marine terminal development, including all related development such as rail and access roads.  The marine terminal footprint should be located, to the extent feasible, over the existing dredge disposal site footprint. 
  
  
• Any docks should be designed to avoid shallow water impacts (if possible), and (where avoidance is not possible) minimize those impacts.  The proposal should not include a vertical sea wall or similar structure. 
  
  
• Nature-based recreational uses should be evaluated in more detail, particularly if recreational improvements can be used as a means to direct and manage human access in ways that support habitat objectives. 

• Traffic impacts should be examined in light of the most up-to-date Columbia River Crossing design options.  I want to be sure we have a plan in place to minimize any adverse impacts on East Hayden Island residents. The plan should consider air quality impacts (dust and emissions), noise, and light impacts 

I’m asking my council colleagues to consider the resolution, which would direct the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to develop a legislative proposal for annexation of WHI into the City.  They would also prepare a Comprehensive Plan and zoning proposals consistent with the above-listed parameters.  The decision on whether to proceed with annexation and possible development will not be before the City Council until mid-to-late 2011. What the City Council is considering this week is whether to continue studying a more specific question regarding West Hayden Island.

It is important that we resolve this long-standing question, in order to provide certainty to the Port and the region, and to inform our own state-mandated Comprehensive Plan update, occurring through the Portland Plan. 

Under Oregon land use law, city and regional planners are responsible for monitoring the supply of development-ready land, and ensuring enough supply exists to satisfy the expected needs over the next 20 years. This is necessary because land supply is regulated by the Urban Growth Boundary.  WHI was brought into the Metro Urban Growth Boundary in 1983 to “satisfy a long term regional need for water-dependent, marine terminal and industrial facilities.”  Industrial development is generally not permitted outside of the region’s urban growth boundary.  In addition, industry is not permitted unless land is zoned for that use.  The process of annexation, adopting zoning, developing specific plans, and obtaining development permits is expected to take 5 to 10 years.  If Portland intends to make any portion of WHI available for development for over the next 20 years, that planning process would need to begin now. 

It is equally important that we do further due diligence and analysis on several basic assumptions and issues, including the need for this facility, operational efficiencies that might allow more compact marine terminal facilities, and an evaluation of opportunities for increased coordination with the Port of Vancouver. Should the Council choose to continue this project, the next phase must to be done to meet the Council's expectations—these questions must be answered to the best of our collective ability. I propose holding Council work sessions during the next phase so Council can track this issue closely. That is how important it is to Portland to get this right.

The City Council has already received considerable written testimony on this issue, and I look forward to hearing additional public comment on July 29. Testimony sign-up sheets—separate sheets for those in support of, opposed to, or unsure about this resolution—will be posted at 5 pm, and council chambers will also open at 5 pm.

Following a brief staff presentation, Community Working Group Chair Anne Squire will present the group’s report. Chair Squire’s report will be followed by CWG members who wish to testify. This will be followed by public testimony, rotating between the three different sign up sheet to ensure fairness.

I look forward to the continued robust community conversation about this important and difficult issue.

Yours,

Sam Adams

Mayor