Analysis of Reed’s Master Plan Application in regards to the Willard House and the Parker House.

Sometime before February 23, 2006, Reed College is expected to file their application for an amended Master Plan. This action was brought about by the acquisition of the former Eastmoreland Hospital property. Included in this application are requests for non-residential use of properties currently zoned residential. The two properties are the Willard House at 3312 SE Woodstock and the Parker House at 2840 SE Woodstock. The college seeks to use the Willard House for college administrative office space and the Parker House for meetings, parties, dinners and other gatherings of up to 200 people. These properties are inside the boundaries of the Eastmoreland neighborhood.

In the fall of 2005, Reed submitted an application for use of these two properties outside of the master plan application. The ENA board of directors voted to oppose these uses and filed an official response in opposition with the Bureau of Development Services. As the board was preparing for the public hearing, Reed withdrew their applications at the city’s request. The proposed uses Reed is asking for in the current application are substantially unchanged from the plan ENA opposed last fall.

On February 1^st the ENA board met and considered the question of Reed’s use of neighborhood homes. At Reed’s request, supporters of the College’s proposal were present in large numbers though the meeting had not been advertised to the community at large. The ENA Board voted to try to negotiate a compromise solution with Reed. As the Task force from the ENA Board met, it has become clear that the opinions presented by ENA residents at that February 1^st meeting are not necessarily representative of the entire neighborhood. In view of these facts, the board has decided to formally poll all the residents within the boundaries of the neighborhood to determine the neighborhood’s opinions regarding non-residential use in a residential area. The board is very concerned about livability issues with non-residential use and the precedent that would be set by allowing these uses. Therefore, the board will analyze the information gathered during the poll and use this information to direct the board’s actions in regard to this case.