Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission
Mayor Kim Lund provided comprehensive updates on the city's ongoing efforts to address unauthorized encampments, announced her upcoming second executive order focused on housing development acceleration, and facilitated a presentation by Public Works staff on transportation projects. The meeting highlighted the city's multi-pronged approach to housing challenges, combining immediate encampment response with long-term housing supply solutions. The mayor detailed current actions at two major encampment sites: the Stuart Road (Walmart) encampment, where phase one clearing and fencing has been completed in coordination with Tollwood apartment property owners, and the Baker View encampment, where the city is compelling five different property owners to take coordinated action. Both situations involve complex environmental and safety considerations, with the Stuart Road site containing an estimated 1,000-2,000 tons of solid waste across 20 acres with significant wetlands and a fish-bearing creek. Public Works interim co-director Joel Thunt and staff member Riley presented updates on completed, ongoing, and upcoming transportation projects, including the Illinois Street Parkview safe routes project, Telegraph Road multimodal improvements, and plans for the James Street-Baker View roundabout. They also announced the return of the neighborhood traffic safety program, now called the Community Streets Program, with $200,000 annually for smaller-scale traffic calming projects. The meeting concluded with neighborhood representatives sharing successful community engagement strategies, including ice cream trucks, hybrid meetings, hand-delivered newsletters, and partnership with local businesses for events and prizes.
No formal votes were taken during this advisory commission meeting. Key announcements and commitments included: **Mayor's Second Executive Order**: To be released the following day, focusing on accelerating housing development through administrative actions including prioritized permitting for downtown, low-income multifamily, middle housing, and urban village projects. The order will also direct staff to identify a site for a tiny home village and establish a working group for renter protections. **Encampment Actions**: Phase one clearing and fencing completed at Stuart Road encampment in coordin…
**November 21, 2024**: Mayor's second executive order on housing acceleration to be released **Early 2025**: Public engagement for Harris Avenue multimodal project and James Street multi-use path project **February/March 2025**: YWCA women and children shelter expected to come online **2025**: Community Streets Program launch with $200,000 annual funding for…