Part of the Tacoma Street Station and Park & Ride for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail design process also include how the station integrates with the nearby environment.

On June 3, approximately 50 residents, neighborhood leaders, members from the Johnson Creek Watershed Council and TriMet representatives met to discuss how to make the future station benefit the nearby Johnson Creek, a tributary that is also home to aquatic life.

Board Member Russ Stoll, who attended the charette, suggested to seek riparian and conservation easements along Johnson Creek. He also recommended better bicycle accommodations at the station.

The second design charette scheduled for Wed., June 23, 7p.m.–9p.m., at the Watershed Council offices, 1900 SE Milport Road, Milwaukie. Please RSVP to Matt Clark – matt@jcwc.org or 503-652-7477 if you would like to attend. The process is still at the beginning stage.

The Neighborhood Association has added  a dedicated Web page containing information and documents regarding the Tacoma Street Station charette.

Milwaukie City Council voted 4-1 to reject the Milwaukie city staff’s recommendation to signalize the intersection at S.E. Johnson Creek Blvd. (JCB) and S.E. 42nd Ave.

Milwaukie city staff Wendy Hemmen and Kenny Asher presented a report before the Milwaukie City Council on April 20, recommending a traffic signal light at the intersection of SE Johnson Creek Blvd. at SE 42nd Ave for traffic mitigation.

Milwaukie Mayor Jeremy Ferguson read a revised resolution that would have allowed a signal but function as a “flashing red light” mode, making the intersection a three-way stop and then turn into full traffic signal when needed.

Public comments from the audience were mostly in opposition of the signal lights and the flashing red light idea.

Ardenwald Chairman Matt Rinker, Secretary Bryan Dorr, and Transportation Chairman Michole Jensen addressed the City Council the Neighborhood’s position and concerns from the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project reports.

Two Ardenwald residents at the meeting spoke in favor for the signal lights.

Milwaukie City Council discussed the matter at length before making motion to vote.

The council voted 4-1 to reject the resolution affirming the light rail project staff’s recommendations to signalize the S.E. JCB and S.E. 42nd Ave.

Councilor Greg Chaimov voted against the rejection of the recommendation.

S.E. 32nd Ave. and S.E. JCB intersection’s signal is in the Portland city limits and was not part of Milwaukie’s resolution. Oregon Department of Transportation mandated mitigation at the 32nd Ave. intersection due to traffic backup onto Hwy. 99E.

Related Documents:

• Mayor Ferguson’s Response to JCB Traffic Letter From Jan. 12, 2010
• Letter from Neighborhood regarding position and suggestions for SE Johnson Creek Blvd. traffic. (Jan. 12, 2010)

If you received a leaflet announcing an upcoming City Council discussion about the traffic signal light at S.E. Johnson Creek Blvd. and S.E. 42nd Ave. intersection, the announcement is erroneous and should be disregarded.

The Milwaukie City Council does not have a discussion on the agenda for the signal light proposal or recommendations for its work session on April 20.

A City staff report on signalizing the intersection will be presented at the regular City Council meeting at 7 p.m. on April 20th at Milwaukie City Hall.  Citizens will have the opportunity to address the City Council on this subject at the regular meeting.

Milwaukie city staff will be presenting a mitigation report on one of the two intersections on S.E. Johnson Creek Blvd. destined for signalization at the April 20th Milwaukie City Council regular meeting.

The City of Milwaukie is proposing to signalize S.E. Johnson Creek Blvd. at S.E. 42nd Ave., which is within the Milwaukie city limits.

The mitigation is part of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project.

S.E. 32nd Ave. at JCB is also part of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project, but is within the Portland city limits. It’s mitigation is mandated by the Oregon Department of Transportation that owns the S.E. McLoughlin (Ore. 99E) and S.E. Tacoma St. interchange.

The meeting is Tuesday, April 20,2010, 7:00 p.m. at the Milwaukie City Hall, 10722 S.E. Main Street in Milwaukie. Attendees may speak at the City Council regular session, but first must fill out a green card prior to speaking.

Questions about the report are directed to Wendy Hemmen, Rail Design Coordinator of City of Milwaukie at 503-786-7694.

Download JCB-42nd Ave Mitigation Report (1MB PDF)

From Beth Ragel, City of Milwaukie:

The monthly Milwaukie light rail meetings will no longer be held at Bridge City Church. They are being moved to the Public Safety Building at 3200 SE Harrison St. The community meeting room entrance is on the south side of the building.

Next meeting: Monday April 19th, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Public Safety Building, 3200 SE Harrison St.