McLoughlin neighbors protest city's plans

Residents in the neighborhood are upset with plans to expand public works facility

By Matthew Graham

The Oregon City News, Nov 10, 2009, Updated Nov 10, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

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Oregon City's McLoughlin neighborhood residents are raising strong protests at the city’s plan to expand its public works facility into the neighborhood, potentially impacting homes, traffic and other livability aspects in the historic area.

The city commission is expected to rule later this month on an appeal of the city’s public works master plan, which includes an expansion of the current facility at First and Center streets.

The McLoughlin Neighborhood Association (MNA) submitted an appeal with 16 points of contention, including that the plan would adversely impact Waterboard Park, which cannot be changed without voter approval because it was created in the city charter; that the city did not investigate other sites on which to build a public works facility; that the immediately adjacent roads aren’t adequate to serve the facility; that the site would cause pollution and noise to the neighborhood; that the entire site should be reviewed by the Historic Review Board; and more.

Senior Planner Tony Konkol addressed those issues at a meeting last month, saying the appeal raised no issues that would preclude the city commission from approving the plan. He said similar issues were raised when the planning commission reviewed the plan, and that the commission addressed the areas necessary for the plan to comply with city code.

Nancy Kraushaar, the city’s public works director, said the plan is also innovative and respects the character of the neighborhood.

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