Sellwood Moreland Improvement League

care about the quality of life here in Westmoreland. My husband and I bought our first home here two years ago and are also worried about the changing context of our ''village-like'' neighborhood. We just learned last night that a new bank and Kinkos are planned for the corner of 16th and Bybee, where a charming old house was just demolished. Seems to me this was under the radar and not the highest and best ''local'' use of this space. A corporate business does not seem as compatible with the surrounding residential and ''mom&pop'' commercial character. Does anyone know what concerned residents can do or if the City of Portland has taken comments for this development?

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As you have probably learned by now, the ''charming old house'' has been a business property for a long time, and had in recent years been a hair styling emporium, which is why its garden was a paved parking lot. It was zoned commercial, and the new structure, which does seem to be built in compatible style to the Westmoreland village around it, is built to code. I doubt your concern will be as great when the construction is complete, but you can discuss the matter with the city planning department if you are still so inclined.

--SMILE Secretary