The East Columbia Neighborhood Association invites neighbors to a special meeting on Wednesday, August 12, promptly at 7:00 PM.
Location
Columbia Community Bible Church 420 NE Marine Drive Portland, OR 97211
Discussion topics
Transition Projects: Kelsey Stark, Program Manager, will introduce the organization’s program serving people experiencing homelessness at the former Motel 6 site.
City zoning proposal: Alice Walker will share the latest updates and discuss potential effects on local property values.
Trucking noise near Gertz Road: Alice Walker will provide an update on this ongoing neighborhood concern, and we’ll be joined by special guests, Portland City Councilor (District 2), Elana Pirtle-Guiney, and Portland City Noise Officer, Paul Van Orden, to join the discussion regarding how we can protect our homes where our neighborhood meets industrial areas. (See flyer below & scan QR code to fill out the quetionairre)
2026 ECNA events and volunteer opportunities: We are seeking volunteer nominees for Activities Committee Coordinator, Notifications Committee Coordinator, and Block Captains for Meadow Drive, South Shore Road, Lija Loop, and Mariners Loop.
We’ll also share updates on Movie Night, the Cookie Bakeoff, Halloween on Meadow Drive, and the Chili Cookoff.
We hope you can join the conversation and help shape the year ahead for our neighborhood.
TL;DR: All three District 2 City Councilors toured East Columbia on April 10 to see how proposed wetland buffer zone expansions could restrict what you can build, farm, or do on your property — and significantly reduce land values for many neighbors. Join us at our Open House on May 6, 6–8 PM at Columbia Bible Church to learn more and make your voice heard.
Hi neighbors! On April 10, ECNA Chairman Patrick Henry and neighbor Gary Kunz led all three District 2 City Councilors — Sameer Kanal, Dan Ryan, and Elana Pirtle-Guiney — on a driving tour of East Columbia. The goal: to show them, street by street, how proposed Environmental Zone (E-zone) overlay expansions could affect residential, farming, and commercial properties throughout our neighborhood.
What’s Happening
The City of Portland is considering expanding protected buffer zones around wetlands connected to the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Under the proposed zoning changes, properties near these waterways — including many in East Columbia — would be classified as “environmental zones,” restricting what owners may build, add, or do with their land.
One important distinction: most waterways in our area connect to the river through pump stations, not natural tributaries. Fish cannot pass through them. Despite this, the proposed overlays would treat these pump-connected ditches and engineered wetlands the same as natural river corridors — placing many private properties under environmental restrictions without a direct ecological connection to the river to justify it.
You can explore the CCIL project and see how the updated E-zone mapping may apply to your property using the City’s interactive map: portlandmaps.com/bps/ccil
What the Tour Covered
Neighbor Alice Christine Walker met each touring group along Gertz Road and walked the councilors into the brush to “ground-truth” the actual conditions on the ground. The tour included properties near the Oak Harbor Trucking business, a parcel straddling South Shore and Faloma Roads, a Marine Drive home, several Meadow Drive homes, and a Blue Heron home. In each case, the proposed buffer zones covered all or most of the privately owned parcel.
Walker also brought her expertise in farming and land preservation programs to the tour, explaining how the proposed changes affect not just homeowners, but also larger landowners with Oregon-protected farming rights. She highlighted a particularly striking example along NE Gertz and NE Levee: a wetland created by Oak Harbor Trucking as a condition of paving over their truck yards. Under the proposed overlays, that mitigation-created wetland could now be used to reclassify adjacent traditional farmland as an environmental zone — denying those landowners their ability to raise animals and grow food crops.
Why This Matters for Your Property
For many East Columbia property owners, the proposed buffer zones could mean:
Restrictions on adding ADUs, garages, or other structures on your property
Loss of Oregon-protected Right to Farm protections for larger and agricultural properties
Reclassification of pastureland as “wetland,” changing what you’re legally allowed to do with your land
A meaningful reduction in property value
The councilors saw these realities firsthand. Now we want to make sure the broader community understands what’s at stake — and has a chance to weigh in.
Open House: Come Learn More and Have Your Say
Date: Tuesday, May 6 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM Location: Columbia Bible Church, 420 NE Marine Drive, Portland, OR
All neighbors are welcome — whether your property is directly affected or you simply want to stay informed. Come with questions, bring a neighbor, and help us shape the direction of this conversation with the City.
Together, we stay informed. Together, we advocate for East Columbia.
TL;DR: Meet District 2 City Councilors Elana Pirtle-Guiney, Sameer Kanal, and Dan Ryan on Tuesday, March 4 at 6:00 PM at the Alberta Rose Theatre. This City Club of Portland event is a chance to hear how Portland’s new form of government is going and what’s ahead. Register here.
Hi neighbors! If you’ve been curious about how Portland’s new 12-member City Council is working — or you simply want to connect directly with your District 2 representatives — this is a great opportunity to show up, listen in, and take part in the conversation.
What’s Happening
The City Club of Portland is hosting “Portland, Meet Your City Councilors!” — a four-part panel series happening in each district across the city. On Tuesday, March 4, from 6:00–7:30 PM, District 2 residents are invited to gather at the Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta St.). Doors open at 5:30 PM.
Why This Conversation Matters
In 2024, Portlanders made history by electing a new City Council under a new form of government. Now, with one full year of service completed — along with the appointment of a new City Administrator and the election of a new Council President and Vice President — this is an important moment to reflect.
What’s working? What’s been challenging? And where is Portland headed next?
The evening begins with a moderated panel featuring questions submitted during registration, followed by informal time to connect directly with your councilors and neighbors. Whether you’ve been closely following city government or just want to stay informed, this is a welcoming space to learn more and be part of the civic conversation.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, March 4 Time: 6:00–7:30 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM) Location: Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St., Portland Cost: Free (registration requested)
How to Attend
Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance:
We encourage East Columbia neighbors to attend, bring a friend, and help spread the word through your networks. Opportunities like this help strengthen transparency, accountability, and connection between residents and city leadership.
Together, we stay informed. Together, we shape the future of our neighborhood and our city.
TL;DR: The North Portland Trust Fund (PPF) is bringing community grants back after a pause from 2021–2025. $80,000 is available this year (part of $245,000 over 3 years), and ECNA is eligible. Join an info session on Feb 25 or Feb 26 to learn more.
Community Grants Are Back!
Good news, neighbors: the North Portland Trust Fund Community Grant Program (PPF) is reopening its community grants for the first time in several years.
PPF is a foundation separate from the City of Portland’s Parks & Recreation Department and is funded by the Portland International Raceway (PIR). In the past, this program has provided funding to neighborhood associations for projects that improve the community.
After a pause on grants from 2021–2025, PPF is restarting funding this year.
How much funding is available?
PPF has $245,000 available over the next 3 years, which works out to about $80,000 available this year.
East Columbia is one of eleven neighborhood associations eligible to apply, which means ECNA could potentially bring some of this funding into our neighborhood.
How the funding process works
PPF is distributing funds in a multi-step process:
Screening Committee (happening now) A Screening Committee is being formed to choose the members of a Selection Committee. One member of each eligible neighborhood association will form the Screening Committee. Naomi Wichman has been selected to represent ECNA for that duty.
Selection Committee Applications (Feb 15 – Mar 6) The Selection Committee will review applications for funds from the various neighborhood associations and choose worthy programs to receive funding.
Applications for the Selection Committee will be accepted between February 15 – March 6.
Virtual Community Info Sessions (open to everyone) PPF will host two virtual sessions before the grant cycle opens, and anyone can attend:
TL;DR: Our neighbors at Columbia Community Bible Church (420 NE Marine Drive) are inviting the broader East Columbia community to join them in collecting small gifts for children in need through the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoebox program. Drop-off times: Sundays 10 AM–12:30 PM or Tuesdays 2–3:30 PM. Boxes will be packed on Sunday, November 16.
What’s Happening
Each year, the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child project sends shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, and personal care items to children around the world who might not otherwise receive a gift during the holidays. This simple act of kindness can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
Columbia Community Bible Church—a valued part of our East Columbia neighborhood and a generous host for some of our ECNA meetings—is inviting the community to take part in this year’s effort. Neighbors are encouraged to drop off new, small gifts that can fit inside a standard shoebox—one for either a boy or a girl aged 5–9. Suggested items include small toys, school supplies, and hygiene items like soap, toothbrushes, gloves, and scarves.
All items will be gathered and packed on Sunday, November 16 from 10 AM to 12:30 PM before being shipped to children in need around the world. Community members are warmly welcome to stop by during that time, or to attend the church’s “Sweet Hour of Prayer” (10–11 AM) or worship service (11 AM–12:30 PM).
How to Participate
Drop-off times:
• Sundays: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
• Tuesdays: 2:00 – 3:30 PM
A blue collection tub is located just inside the front doors of the church at 420 NE Marine Drive, Portland.
Optional online shopping: Prefer to order online? Visit Amazon.com and search “Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Children’s Shoebox” to find gift ideas for kids aged 5–9. Choose delivery options early to ensure your items arrive in time.
Why It Matters
This community effort is a reminder that generosity transcends boundaries. By filling shoeboxes with small gifts and big care, we can bring joy to children around the world—and strengthen the bonds right here in East Columbia. Whether you’re a church member, a neighbor, or simply someone who wants to help, your participation is welcome and appreciated.
East Columbia Neighborhood Association 