Author: Washington Square

Just a note from a Concerned WSE HOA member!!

Your association received a letter dated July 2, 2019 from the City of Tigard  RE: Code Compliance Record Number: NCC2019-00120.   The complaint was regarding the WSE HOA owned common property on the east side (where the sign is located) of Ventura at the North Entrance.  The complaint stated that there were:

Trees and Bushes(Dead, Decaying, Hazard)

Noxious vegetation (Fire Hazard)

And Insects and Rodents

Specifically, it has been reported that there is insect infestation and fire hazard associated with the overgrown, dead and dying, vegetative debris and insect infestation on your property along Ventura Ct in Tigard, Or.

Please remove the overgrowth, dead or dying vegetative debris and insect infestation on your property.

The letter continues to discuss that these violations have not yet been verified.  It then states that each violation can have a penalty of $250 per day.  Then it states that you can confirm that no violation exists or you can correct it voluntarily within 20 days.

WELL, because I have lived here since 1990 and enjoyed the neighborhood and the friends I have here, I am upset that someone would go to the City of Tigard and NOT let the WSE HOA know of their concern.

The WSE HOA Board is a Volunteer Board who donates their time to help keep the area going strong.  When I became aware of this letter, I went to the area and removed the rubbish: a clear plastic pastry box, one coffee cup, one 12 inch piece of 1/2 rubber hose, one clear plastic bag and one plastic shopping bag.  I did not find any insects except for the normal spiders and a squirrel ran along the fence on the back side of the property.  I also did some pruning of the bushes and removed some dead limbs.  I have pictures of the area before and after.

I DO NOT understand the motive behind such a complaint because the HOA has usually responded to residents concerns quickly and efficiently.  We pay very little in dues, $8.00 month, and the money needs to be used wisely.  PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD WITH CONCERNS.  This complaint required a lot of time and effort by volunteers. It also required additional expense to the yard maintenance group.

I AM NOT A BOARD MEMBER,  just a concerned homeowner.  I have pictures of the area, a copy of the letter if you want to view them.  Thank You for letting me explain my concern,    Dianne Kostur   cdkostur@aol.com

SPEED STUDY DONE

The City of Tigard did a speed/traffic study in the lower WSE neighborhood (from SW 72nd to the s-curve at 6985 SW Ventura Drive) 2/20-24/19.  The results of that study show both the amount of traffic, east and westbound, and the speeds of each trip over the study period.  Results, observations and comments are follow.  Quick summary:  we have a significant speeding problem in our neighborhood that we all need to address and solve.

WESTBOUND

  • 1072 trips were made in this period.  That is 268 trips per day average.  This is 44% of the total trips.
  • 570 of these trips were made at or below the 25 mph posted/legal speed limit; 51% of the total.
  • 502 trips were made at or above 26 mph; this is 49% of the total westbound.
  • 6 trips were made at 36-40 mph; 11 to 15 mph over the limit.
  • 56 trips were made at 31-35 mph; 6-10 mph over the limit.

EASTBOUND

  • 1361 trips were made in this period.  This is 341 trips per day average or 56% of the total.
  • 670 of these trips were made at or below the 25 mph speed limit; this is 49% of the total.
  • 691 of these trips were made at or above 26 mph; 51% of the total eastbound.
  •  2 trips were made at 41-45 mph; this is 16 to 20 mph over the limit!!!
  • 5 trips were made at 36-40 mph; 11-15 mph over the limit!
  • 101 trips were made at 31-35 mph; 6-10 mph over the limit.

OBSERVATIONS

  • Speeding is a problem in the lower neighborhood.  50% of the traffic through the lower neighborhood is above the posted 25 mph speed limit.  About 300 trips per day are made by speeders.
  • Speeding eastbound is a bigger problem than westbound.
    • 51% of the trips are speeding drivers
    • 11 drivers have a significant problem obeying the speed limit:  10-15 mph over.
    • 2 drivers have a very significant problem obeying the speed limit: 15-20 mph over.
    • 108 trips in excess of the limit by 5-20 mph.
  • Speeding westbound is a smaller but still significant problem.
    • 49% of the trips are made above the 25 mph limit.
    • 6 drivers came through at 11-15 mph over the limit.
    • 56 drivers came through at 31-35 mph over the limit.

COMMENTS

This is a Washington Square Estates neighborhood problem that we neighbors need to solve.  Those coming through well in excess of the limit need to ask themselves why.  I can think of no justifiable reason.  Over the posted speed limit is “over”; it doesn’t matter if you’re going 5 mph or 20 mph over, you are speeding.

Over the speed limit endangers the children, property, and the neighborhood as a positive place to live.  We need to decide, individually, what we are going to do about getting the number of speeders minimized and the safety of the whole neighborhood enhanced.  WE are the problem; WE must fix it.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Terry Crawford

Vice-Chair, WSEHOA Board