The City of Milwaukie is planning on updating its sign code to regulate electronic (light emitting diode or LED) signs and billboards. The proposed code changes will determine the signage surface size limit and rate of change in the message, and allowing placement of such signs in the downtown area along McLoghlin Blvd.

One 600-square foot electronic billboard is already operating along McLoughlin Blvd. at S.E. Mailwell. The new code would limit electronic signs and billboard at 50% of the conventional sign area, but not to exceed 50 square feet. Electronic signs and billboards must be static, and cannot have flashing or scrolling text, and video cannot be displayed.

The sign code changes will affect some existing and new signs in commercial areas, including businesses along S.E. 32nd Ave. and S.E. 42nd Ave. in the Ardenwald-Johnson Creek neighborhood within the Milwaukie city limits.

At the October 18th council meeting, Milwaukie City Council postponed the code amendment vote to the November 1st council meeting. As a result of the extension, the public hearing portion of this item remains open.

More details and documents are available at the City of Milwaukie’s website.

The Ardenwald Bingo Night is Saturday, October 22, at the Ardenwald Elementary School (8950 S.E. 36th Ave. in Milwaukie) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m. Participants can win prize baskets, raffles, and Silent Auction. There is the Candy Walk event for children. Children are also encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. Bingo Night is sponsored by by the Ardenwald PTO.

Download Flyer (PDF)

Artist Thomas Sayre will discuss the public art concept for the Portland-Milwaukie light rail Tacoma Street station. The presentation is Wednesday, October 19, 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at SMILE Station, 8210 S.E. 13th Ave. in Portland.

Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Get Involved

Portland General Electric will be upgrading electrical equipment along the Springwater Corridor Trail that will affect bicycle and pedestrian traffic beginning Friday, October 14 for about a week.

Portland General Electric says the detours will be in place between S.E. Bell Ave. at S.E. Johnson Creek. Blvd. to S.E. 82nd Ave.; S.E. 82nd Ave. to S.E. 92nd Ave.; and S.E. 92nd Ave. to S.E. Foster Rd.

The upgrade work is expected to be completed by Friday, October 21.

The City of Milwaukie Planning Staff is holding the Final Project Open House for public input on the proposed policy changes in development on single and multiple family lots. The open house is Thursday, October 20, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Milwaukie Christian Church, 5197 S.E. King Rd. in Milwaukie. For more information on the project and contact information, please visit the Residential Development Standards Update Project web page at the City of Milwaukie’s website.

Meeting Location: Ardenwald Elementary School, Room 101, 6:30 p.m.

1.    Introductions – 6:30
2.    Police Reports – 6:35
3.    North Clackamas Schools Local Option Levy (Misty Bell) – 6:45
4.    Tool Library (Patrick Finn) – 7:05
5.    Milwaukie High School Dance Team Donation/Grant – 7:25
6.    Committee Reports – 7:30
7.    Approve September 13, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes – 7:55
8.    Adjournment – 8:00

Ardenwald-Johnson Creek Neighborhood District Association (NDA) meetings are open to the public. Pizza and soft beverages are served at each regular NDA meetings. For more information about the neighborhood meetings and for past meeting agendas and minutes, visit the Meetings web page at  www.ardenwald.org/meetings.

Download Oct. 11, 2011 Regular Meeting Agenda (PDF)

It’s October and it’s that time of month when residential homes and yard in the Ardenwald-Johnson Creek neighborhood transform into haunted houses and cemeteries.

The nationally recognized Davis Graveyard elaborate haunted graveyard scene by Ardenwald’s co-chair Jeff Davis and board member at-large Chris Davis, is up for community enjoyment.

New this year is the  full size abbey that replaces the church facade and added a few new tombstones.

The new abbey footprint occupies much of the driveway and that left no room for any dance performances. The Milwaukie High School Dance Team will not be performing the “Thriller” dance this year.

The Davis Graveyard is also not holding an open house event this year.

Display lights will be on nightly from dusk to 10 p.m. (until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday) until Nov. 4th. The full effects will be on Friday through Sunday only (weather permitting—check the FaceBook page for updates).

S.E. 43rd St. will be closed between S.E. Johnson Creek Blvd. and S.E. Roswell St. to motorized traffic on Halloween night only. Vehicle access will be granted for residents on the closed section of S.E. 43rd Ave.

The Milwaukie High School Dance Team will be selling snacks and hot beverages on Halloween night.

In another area of Ardenwald, Bishop Cemetery is another elaborate haunted cemetery display along S.E. 32nd Ave. near S.E. Kelvin St. There is no parking along S.E. 32nd Ave., so walking or bicycling to Bishop Cemetery is recommended.

Photo: Tombstones and boarded windows brings a haunting feel for the visitors at Davis Graveyard in 2010.  By Bryan Dorr.

The Ardenwald School community will participate in International Walk or Bike to School Day on Wednesday, October 5th, at 7:15 am at two start locations.

Students west of Ardenwald School will meet at Lisac’s Stove at the corner of S.E. 32nd Ave. and S.E. Boyd Street, and travel on S.E. Wake St. Students east of Ardenwald School will meet at Roswell Market at the corner of S.E. 42nd Ave. and S.E. Roswell St, travel on S.E. Roswell St.

Drivers traveling on S.E. Wake St. between S.E. 32nd Ave. and the school; and on S.E. Roswell between S.E. 42nd Ave. and the school should allow extra time for congestion during the event. Students assembling at Lisac’s will also cross S.E. 32nd Ave. at S.E. Wake St.

Bicycle helmets are required for all participants riding a bicycle.

Residents and Ardenwald School students will join over 4 million students, parents and faculty around the world in actively getting to and from school. The event will help to enhance the health of our children, improve the health of the community and promote neighborhood livability.

From City of Portland:

The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation has been working hard to improve the Leaf Day program for 2011. Information is now available to the public about this year’s leaf pickup service.  

The city has launched a new website at www.portlandonline.com/leafday with all the details. New program elements include an online Leaf Zone Locator and the ability to opt out or pay the leaf fee online.

In the next few weeks, customers in the city’s Leaf Service Area, which includes 30 Leaf Zones, will receive a mailer that highlights the changes in the program, provides the schedule and fee information, explains how to prepare for scheduled Leaf Day(s), and recommends how to get the most out of the Leaf Day service.  

Customers who opted out of the service and fee in 2010 will soon receive an additional mailer that walks them through this year’s opt-out process.   

The Leaf Line customer service phone is open, and operators are interested in hearing from you.  Call 503-865-LEAF on Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or email your questions to leafday@portlandoregon.gov .

The “Welcome to Ardenwald” sign in the traffic island on S.E. 32nd Ave. at S.E. Meek St. has returned! Ardenwald-Johnson Creek Neighborhood Association Co-chair Jeff Davis repaired the sign for some time and installed the sign late last week.

Since June 30, 2010, only two brown post stood in the traffic island after the sign was broken into several pieces from vandalism. One of the sign posts later was apparently struck and sustained minor damage.

Ardenwald has two signs installed, with the other sign located on a terrace along S.E. Johnson Creek. Blvd. between S.E. Brookside and S.E. 43rd Ave. A third sign is planned for installation along S.E. Tacoma St., however, the sign has not been approved for installation because it does not meet the City of Portland’s sign code.

Each hand-crafted sign costs about $1,100 apiece.

On New Year’s Eve in 2009, the same Ardenwald sign on S.E. 32nd Ave. was destroyed after a delivery van struck the sign located in the center lane traffic island. The company reimbursed the costs for the sign replacement and post mount repairs.

Photo: The repaired “Welcome to Ardenwald” sign on S.E. 32nd Ave. Bryan Dorr, Sept. 19, 2011.