Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan-Finalizing the 3-Year Effort

Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community PlanFinalizing the Three Year Effort

February 11, 2014

Presenter

Presentation Notes

This three-year planning effort is nearing the end. What started as a look at land-use and transportation barriers to redevelopment broadened to a more holistic look at community needs and aspirations. The Board of Commissioners has adopted two Ordinances intended to enhance the livability of these communities and will be provided consideration of six more in the coming months. The project outcomes also inform discussions surrounding the governance of these large unincorporated urban areas and services delivery.

Aloha-Reedville Study AreaMajor Takeaways

Address diverse needs, aspirations and opportunities within Aloha and Reedville communities

Refine and develop new outreach tools

Move forward with responses to issues, opportunities

Identify future actions that will take shape over time

Presenter

Presentation Notes

This effort provided opportunity to gather and respond to the needs and aspirations of this large un-incorporated community

Our Thanks For The SupportCommunity – Partner – County – Regional – State & Federal

This study would not have been successful without the involvement and support of:

the people of Aloha-Reedville

partnering agencies and organizations

and the encouragement and support of the Washington County Board of Commissioners

The Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan is funded in part through a Construction Excise Tax (CET) grant from Metro.

This project also is funded in part through a Community Challenge/TIGER2 grant provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Highway

Administration (FHWA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

As a reminder, the funding for this study included: Metro CET grant for $442,000 DOT/FHWA grant for $1.5M HUD grant for $.5M Washington County contribution of $718,300 This effort also would not have been successful without the collaboration of DLUT, DHS, HHS, the Sheriffs Office and partnering service providers

COMMUNITY ASPIRATIONS

EXISTING CONDITIONS

FUNDING TOOLS &

STRATEGIES

TRENDS & FORECASTS

WHERE ARE WE?

PHASE 1 March 2011 – March 2012

PHASE 2 March 2012 – March 2013

WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO?

COMMUNITY – WIDE

ALTERNATIVES DISCUSSIONS

COUNTY*

SERVICE PROVIDERS

COMMUNITY

NON- PROFITS,

NGOS, OTHERS

DEVELOPERS, INVESTORS

Land Use and Transportation

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVISIONS

DEVELOPMENT CODE REVISIONS

URBAN SERVICE AGREEMENT REVISIONS

Department of Housing Services

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

STRATEGIES

Health & Human Services

Sheriff’s Office

HOW DO WE GET THERE?

PHASE 3 March 2013 – March 2014*

*End of grant funding, implementation continues

Presenter

Presentation Notes

A reminder of the road traveled, the project was broken into 3 phases Project is broken into three main phases: Phase 1 (year 1) focuses on: understanding current conditions, building community awareness and soliciting input, Identifying existing funding mechanisms, And looking at future growth trends in population, housing and employment needs. Phase 2 focuses on: Continuing to solicit community aspirations Drafting future economic/job/housing scenarios Reaching agreement on preferred alternatives/outcomes Phase 3 focuses on: Determining what the county can do to support the preferred outcomes and implementing those actions Identifying other outcomes that will need support from the community, investors and/or service providers.

Aloha-Reedville Study Area9 Square Miles, 50,000+ Community Members

Presenter

Presentation Notes

The effort started as a focused transportation/land use assessment. Additional federal funding expanded opportunities to look at the communities more holistically.

Aloha-Reedville Study AreaAloha and Reedville

Those areas within the Beaverton School District would annex into Beaverton

Those areas within the Hillsboro School District (Reedville) would annex into Hillsboro

Under Senate Bill 122 defined future boundaries should the communities decide to pursue annexation.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

The effort started as a focused transportation/land use assessment. Additional federal funding expanded opportunities to look at the communities more holistically.

Aloha-Reedville Study AreaA Community With Much Potential

Town Center

Station Communities

Industrial Center

Key Corridors

Key Corridors

Future South Hillsboro

Development

Presenter

Presentation Notes

This community, with a little help, is well-positioned to continue being a family-friendly, residential community that many call home. Housing is more affordable than other areas in the county/region The area is close to jobs with much of the work commute within 10 miles of residents’ homes There is a strong sense of community pride Community organizations are already taking on proactive roles to improve livability

I Am Aloha-ReedvilleWe Are The Community

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Who is the community? Predominantly white, with increasing diversity. People of color account for about 30% (23% county-wide) The Latino and Hispanic population is about 22% vs 16% in the county, 11% in the Portland Metro area, and 12% statewide.

I Am Aloha-ReedvilleAnd We Are The Community

Presenter

Presentation Notes

The overall rate of home ownership is similar to county, but higher rates for younger and more diverse families in Aloha-Reedville More than 39% of households in Aloha have children vs 34% county-wide Overall household sizes are 2.9 persons/household, however within immigrant communities they are 4.4 persons/household.


Presenter

Presentation Notes

There are more workers than jobs The median income ($57,200) is lower than the county ($62,218) but higher than the state ($49,033) Poverty affects children at a higher rate than the county or region – about 20% of children live in poverty and 8% of those 65 and older live below the poverty income level


Presenter

Presentation Notes

More than 26 countries of origin were identified through outreach including Middle Eastern, African, African-American, Central and South American, Asian, Hungarian and Norwegian. Conversations were conducted in English, Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Khmer and Nepali.

Hearing From The CommunityEngagement Efforts – Listening To What the Community Thinks

Presenter

Presentation Notes

A range of engagement strategies were used, different approaches at different places in the project. Map-based discussions, visualizations, key-pad polling – all contributed to opportunities for the community to weigh in. Supported by CAC and partners, more than 45 community-wide events, 90+ presentations, 600+ one-on-one surveys, 220+ engaged students, 75,000+ direct mail, 165+ media articles. Project team members were at schools, concerts-in-the park, community celebrations. The project used traditional engagement methods and some new tactics: encourage community members to hold their own meetings (meetings were held in English, Spanish and Somali) and introduction to community planning building a foundation of understanding to inform participation

Hearing From The CommunityEngagement Efforts – Aloha Unite – Inviting New Voices

Aloha Unite is:

Centro Cultural de Washington County

Adelantes Mujeres

Oregon Somali Family Education Center (OSFEC)

Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT)

Organizing People, Activating Leaders (OPAL)

Presenter

Presentation Notes

One of the more stunning successes – contracting with organizations that have the knowledge and relationships already established to engage historically under-represented communities. And providing funding to increase the capacity by organizations that have strong voices, but limited resources. These groups reached out to over 1200 community members and collected more than 600 surveys, gathering feedback from many community members who had never participated in a County planning process. CIO and Aloha Unite’s work in connecting with community groups and reaching out to new leaders has already brought new prospective to County organizations, including recently-elected CPO6 leadership.

The CommunityWhat do you like about living here?

More than 4,500 community comments

• Close to shopping, jobs, services and rural areas

• Friendly, with a strong sense of community

• Good parks

• Housing affordability (and many with 3+ bedrooms)

More than 600 surveys conducted by CIO and Centro• The people and the cultural diversity

• The community is quiet, peaceful, and feels safe

• Transit is available

• Stores are close by

• Good schools

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Through 2 ½ years of outreach, key themes rose to the top of discussions

The CommunityWhat would you like changed or improved?

More than 4,500 community comments

• Increase safety with more sidewalks, street lights

• Reduce traffic congestion

• Provide living-wage jobs within the community

• Improve the aesthetics of the commercial areas

• Increase retail and commercial offerings (stores/restaurants)

More than 600 surveys conducted by CIO and Centro• Increase safety with more sidewalks, street lights

• Provide support to start businesses

• Improve transit services and stops (amenities)

• Increase the amount of affordable housing available

• Create a multi-cultural community center

Presenter

Presentation Notes

As did key issues and aspirations

Hearing From The CommunityProject “Bookend” Surveys

Question Key

Q1g. Public safety Q1d. Safe pedestrian and bicycle facilities

Q1j. Vibrant economy and local jobs Q1l. Reduction of blight, graffiti, and abandoned properties

Q1k. Education opportunities Q1h. Availability of community services

Q1e. Housing you can afford Q1i. A sense of community and community involvement

Q1b. Reducing traffic congestion Q1c. Recreation opportunities

Q1a. Safe and convenient access to transit Q1f. Access to shopping

2011 – 394 participants

2014 – 607 participants

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Success can be measured in a variety of ways. Statistically Valid Random Sample Surveys were conducted in August 2011 and January 2014 to assess changes in community values. Overall issues considered most important remained so: Public safety, housing affordability, jobs and education remained in the top tiers.

Hearing From The CommunityGovernance

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4Explore joining existing city

Stay unincorporated –

no new taxes

Explore forming a new city

Explore one or more new county service districts

Alo

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Alo

ha

Alo

ha

Alo

ha

Ree

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

Governance discussions are important to understanding how improvements can be accomplished. The recent SVRSS included questions to solicit community perspectives. Although there is no clear path for what type of governance structural change would be most beneficial, it is important to recognize that the majority of respondents do consider the need for change. The continuing question to be considered is how to achieve that change.

Hearing From The CommunityGovernance – Verbatim Examples

Explore Joining A City:

“Cities already have the infrastructure established” “Smoothest transition; wouldn't raise taxes too much”Stay Unincorporated – No New Taxes:

“Current situation is reasonably good” “Changes cost money” “Fine the way it is” “Do not want to vote for anything that is going to raise taxes”Explore Forming a New City:

“Lived in this area all my life and there never is anything for anybody, it is a dead area, forming a city would bring in more jobs and business” “Get more revenue that way and have a larger tax base.”Form One or More New County Service Districts:

“Keeping it unincorporated, but still brings its services”, “Less hands in the cookie jar” “Need to look at the cost, but it seems like the best option”

Presenter

Presentation Notes

One of the most frequent comments related to taxes, concerns about paying more (or already paying to much.)

Responding to Community InputMajor Roads

• Improve roads to reduce congestion and improve transit

• Minimize traffic impacts from future nearby development

Getting Around Safely

• Improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity by completing sidewalks around schools, creating new trails and connections, and installing safer pedestrian crossings

Business and Shopping

• Support private investment by reducing development costs and barriers – streamline development process and evaluate/refine regulations

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Project team recommendations were framed around five topic areas. The responses noted here broadly describe key goals for the project’s outcomes.

Responding to Community InputNeighborhood Quality

• Retain single family residential neighborhoods

• Expand code enforcement

• Increase housing options that are affordable to a range of incomes

• Build higher density housing where there is most opportunity for access to jobs, services, shopping and public transit

Healthy and Active Living

• Improve bicycle and pedestrian routes, expand parks and provide more amenities, and increase the number of trails and connections to regional trails

• Increase access to fresh food

What Next?County Implementation

Recommended County actions:

• Consider governance and finance options for the community

• Seek funding for construction and additional identified planning efforts

• Seek Board approval for revised Community Development Code sections as part of the annual Work Program

• Target future county transportation funding

• Coordinate with cities regarding new development

• Support ongoing partner improvements

• Support & encourage community-led efforts

• Support & encourage inclusive outreach & new voices

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Recommendations are considered realistic, achievable and are intended to keep the outcomes “off the shelf” and move into implementation

What Next?Community Support

Community organizations that could take a lead role include:

• CPO6 & CPO7

• Aloha Business Association

• Aloha Unite

• Ongoing CAC or other community leadership group

Community leaders & community organizations:

• Advocate for implementation efforts

• Pursue additional funding (grants, foundations, donations)

• Advocate for business development / expansions

• Pursue community identity programs / funding

• Support service provider improvements

• Be part of future planning efforts

Presenter

Presentation Notes

The county and partners are not alone in the effort to maintain livability as the community play a significant role in moving many recommendations forward. For instance the community can advocate on its own behalf for economic revitalization, demonstrate its support to the county for implementation efforts, and continue initiating self determination such as the library and business association have demonstrated. The ABA and CPO6 have undertaken efforts to move the community forward and a group of Citizen Advisory Committee members have agreed to consider some form of organization to maintain the momentum achieved during the study (and DLUT has agreed to a level of staff support for those efforts.)

What Next?Inclusive Outreach & New Voices

Working with Center for Intercultural Organizing, Centro Cultural de Washington County, and Aloha Unite, this project:

• Engaged hundreds of new voices

• Initiated leadership training and capacity building

• Created new government – community relationships

Next steps:

• Develop strategy to maintain and support relationships with community-based organizations

• Craft sustainable approach for continued outreach and engagement of historically under-represented communities

• Develop educational materials explaining basic planning concepts and community members’ rights and responsibilities to have a voice in decisions that may impact them

Presenter

Presentation Notes

What can the County do to welcome new voices, to help them be a productive part of conversations, and insure that broad and meaningful outreach and awareness and respect for diversity becomes a core part of what we do? There is already much momentum Washington County has become much more diverse in the last 10 years– and will continue to become more diverse. There is need to welcome new community members and new voices to support future leaders of the community and a community that works for all its current and future residents. Positive response to Title VI and EJ requirements + it’s the right thing to do as the community continues to diversify Simple steps, small resource allocation can provide marked gains in engagement and informed decision-making

The Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan

Three years engagement with the community

Thousands of contributing voices

136 specific actions across 31 recommendations to maintain and increase the livability of the communities

More than $32M in dedicated funding for improvements over the next 5 years

Presenter

Presentation Notes

After three years worth of effort and extensive community involvement, the outcome is recommendations for the county, partners and the community for the future well-being of Aloha and Reedville. By working together, Aloha and Reedville should remain great places to live and raise families.

The Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan

Working together to keep Aloha and Reedville Great Places

Presenter

Presentation Notes

After three years worth of effort and extensive community involvement, the outcome is recommendations for the county, partners and the community for the future well-being of Aloha and Reedville. By working together, Aloha and Reedville should remain great places to live and raise families.

Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan-Finalizing the 3-Year Effort

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Transcript of Aloha-Reedville Study and Livable Community Plan-Finalizing the 3-Year Effort