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Navigating City Processes: Long Range Plans

  • by Lindsey Johnson
  • November 30, 2017November 30, 2017

While sometimes hard to conceptualize, most of what gets approved and attention through our legislative planning process will eventually shape what we see in our community. Plans from the past create the rules or priorities for what gets built today and tomorrow. Everyone should have a hand in shaping that.


An invitation to an open house, one more online survey, that notice in your mailbox?!? 
It can be tough to track and weigh in on all the projects going on at the City of Portland’s bureaus in charge of land use planning (Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS)), transportation planning (Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT)), and development activities (Bureau of Development Services (BDS)).  Navigating the landscape of planning processes and development projects can sometimes feel overwhelming and, in a city as busy as Portland has been over the last decade, reviewing the basics can sometimes provide clarity in the chaos and help residents and community groups prioritize matters of livability that mean the most to them. This BPS video highlights an example of how the long-range planning process works. It’s a great starting point to understanding how the process works and the outcomes that can come from these planning efforts.


If you are curious about the details of the legislative process which governs long-range planning process, this expanded overview really breaks it down; outlining different bureau and committee responsibilities, what projects are subject to the process, detailing each phase pictured below, and outlining actions and tips residents can take during each phase. This is a guide to help beginners understand the process for long-range planning and help residents and groups be effective participants, resources for their neighborhood, and local advocates.

Most of what goes through this legislative process will be refined and eventually shape what we see in our community. Plans from the past create the rules or priorities for what gets built today and tomorrow. These plans and projects shape the new homes we see, commercial spaces that make up our main streets, parks, high rises in own downtown, and even dictate the process of demolition and new construction. While sometimes it seems like things are changing overnight, most of the time, it’s been on the shelf, waiting for funding or market forces for years before we see it in our community. While it can be challenging to conceptualize the outcome of some of these long-range planning projects and plans, they are a crucial step in making residents and groups’ priorities or values a reality in the community.

For more details on how the legislative process for planning projects works, click here.

By: Leah Fisher, Neighborhood Planning Program Manager

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Matchu Williams

Matchu feels fortunate to work with the community in advancing the SE Uplift mission of collaborating to build informed, inclusive, and participatory neighborhoods that support our social and ecological well-being. He looks forward to assisting neighborhood and partnering with the community in building capacity in building equity in their programs for civic engagement.

Matchu holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus on Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies and Criminal Justice. You may know Matchu from the SE Uplift Board of Directors where he was recently Vice Chair. He brings a wealth of community engagement to SE Uplift having previously served as Chair of Mt. Scott Arleta Neighborhood Association, BikeLoud Memorial Events Coordinator, Arleta Triangle Project Planning Committee, South East in Active Motion Co-Chair, and has volunteered with many groups including Urban Gleaners, Sisters of the Road, SOLVE, Transition Projects, Food Not Bombs, Humane Society of SW Washington, and more.

On his days off he dreams of the next bikepacking (biking + camping) trip. Last year he bikepacked the San Juan Islands and campgrounds in the Cascades. When in town he enjoys cycling, seeing movies on the big screen at the historic Hollywood Theatre, and enjoying food at Portland Mercado with friends.

Matchu is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Foster-Powell, Mt. Scott-Arleta, Reed, South Tabor, and Sunnyside.

Paola De La Cruz

Paola is the Communications & Outreach Manager for SE Uplift. Paola’s professional background lies in design and community advocacy. She has worked with non-profits from Boston, MA to the Portland metro area, to campaign for equity and inclusivity.

Paola received a BFA in Illustration under Communication Design. She looks to merge illustration and design with community organizing to bring SE neighbors together.

On her free time, Paola is painting ethereal, powerful women or putting on a 90s R&B concert for her small dog.

Paola is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Brentwood-Darlington, Creston-Kenilworth, Laurelhurst, Mt. Tabor, and Sellwood-Moreland.

Alex Cherin

Alez is the Partnerships and Grantmaking Programs Manager for SE Uplift. As an active listener, creative thinker and problem solver, Alex loves to brainstorm and collaborate with others in order to actualize visions of a more connected and active SE community. He is looking forward to fostering new relationships and nurturing established ones as well as supporting new developments within the neighborhoods of SE Portland.

Alex is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Ardenwald-Johnson Creek, Brooklyn, Buckman, Kerns, Montavilla, North Tabor, Woodstock.

Nanci Champlin

Nanci is the Executive Director for SE Uplift.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Nelson Mandela
 
Nanci Champlin has a passion for social justice, civic engagement and conservation with nearly thirty years’ experience in scaling up organizations at the local, regional and national level. She leaned early in her career as a grassroots organizer that a key to success comes from authenticity, trust and active listening. These values have guided her approach to work ever since. 
 
In her professional roles, Nanci has led outreach at Oregon Wild; communications and operations at the Funders Committee for Civic Participation; and most recently was Director of Development at Western State Center, a movement building and leadership development organization helping to build a 21st century civil rights movement. 
 
Nanci has lived in SE Portland for 32 years where she has devoted countess hours to volunteer-driven conservation initiatives through her past role on a neighborhood association board. She currently serves as the fundraising chair for Friends of Moreland Woods and on the board of the Sellwood Community House. When not working or volunteering she can be found creating pollinator habitat in her backyard or hiking with her family and dog in Portland’s parks. 
 
Nanci is excited to help lead SE Uplift in building a vision and strategy that empowers everyone in our community to learn, connect and engage in civic opportunities to build a future where every person can thrive. 
 
Nanci is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Eastmoreland, Hosford-Abernethy, Richmond. 
Lindsey Johnson
Lindsey is thrilled to join the staff team at SE Uplift as Administrative and Operations Specialist.
 
Over the past two years, she has served on the board for Montavilla Neighborhood Association and SE Uplift. Lindsey has an extensive background in the nonprofit arts and education sectors. She is passionate about building community and supporting local businesses.
 
Lindsey hails from Minneapolis and has been living in East Portland since 2016. She earned music degrees from Luther College and the University of North Texas. Lindsey performs with the Portland Opera Chorus, serves on the Board of Governors for the American Guild of Musical Artists labor union, and is President of the Mu Phi Epsilon Portland Alumni Chapter. In her spare time, she enjoys board games, hiking, mushroom foraging, and cuddling her puppy and two cats.