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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 34m

It's all the same dystopia.

Reposted by Terry J. Harris

*Portland Biz Journal reported yesterday that Amazon canceled its application for the North Portland drone facility. This won't be the end. We have to think about what life will be like with these massive drones flying around our neighborhoods. Is your fast book or toothpaste delivery worth it?

bizjournals.com

Amazon hits pause on North Portland drone hub as city councilors file resolution - Portland Business Journal

Amazon cancels pre-application conference for North Portland drone delivery hub, according to the city.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 18h

Yeah, I get the "patchwork" argument, except that it always only works in one direction - the direction of the corporate lobbyists in the larger jurisdiction.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 21h

Well, yeah, "good" would be good. Outperforming the legislature is simply the floor in your decision-space.

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Reposted by Terry J. Harris

Councilor Sameer Kanal @councilorkanal.bsky.social · 22h

We got to 9, and are just waiting for the administrative/legal confirmation. If that doesn't work we can move to suspend the rules and add it to the agenda during the meeting itself. Either way, I'm now confident it'll be on either the Wednesday or Thursday agenda this week at the full Council.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 21h

Fwiw, the regulatory approach presented today looked comprehensive and thoughtful and almost certainly better than anything #orleg will come up with. So yeah, tough call.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 21h

On "Waymo," the city is facing some tough choices - to either regulate robotaxis or ban them altogether - knowing that that the state legislature could preempt whatever Portland decides anyway.

National conversation about challenges vs potential benefits
Potential Challenges
• Traffic safety
• Impacts to other ROW users
• Impeding first responders
• Navigating work zones & events
• Impacts to labor
• Increased congestion
• Privacy concerns
• Land Use impacts
Potential Benefits
• Elimination of human errors
• Faster reaction times
• Smoother traffic
• Personal safety
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Another option for people with
limited mobility
For-hire AVs are currently operating in 15 cities nationally

State regulation & industry-led preemption efforts threatens local safety
• All cities with current for-hire AV
deployments have been preempted by
state legislation
• Cities with no regulatory oversight
experience real challenges
• Avoided AV preemption in 2026
• Industry-sponsored bill is likely in the
2027 State Legislative session

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 21h

On asset management, the new "strategy" document is out, and it seems quite thoughtful with some fairly clear paths forward. But it was also a little too high-altitude for the Committee who, like me, would really like to see a comprehensive list of city assets and their conditions.

A chart showing the massive $14B capital funding gap for city assets across programs, with PBOT and BES with the largest shares.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 22h

Thanks for the link. The linked complaint describes how the City botched the signage on the corner thus absolving the parked car. But in a case of *no signage* (and no curb paint), I would think the 20-foot rule would still apply and liability could attach, nonenforcement notwithstanding.

This seems to be where PBOT (or Oregon tort law) needs to take a different position on what's "legal"

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 23h

This whole story makes me wonder why a 20-foot no parking zone at each corner couldn't be automatically applied everywhere, AND the Subaru illegally parked at the corner could be (partially) liable for accidents occurring there.

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Reposted by Terry J. Harris

Councilor Sameer Kanal @councilorkanal.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

The Mayor absolutely could do this in a matter of minutes today. IMO if there's filed legislation (the ordinance I labeled Step 2) that would enact a moratorium, that's sufficient authorization to notify DLCD of the future consideration of that legislation. It shouldn't need a resolution (Step 1).

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Or, the governor and/or the Department could issue their own moratorium on behalf of local jurisdictions similarly situated. Regulatory gaps are why moratoriums exist as a tool. Governments need to deploy them without unnecessary friction.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Just spitballing here but it seems to me that this notice requirement should be something that the governor could waive. Or that the department could waive. (Or the Mayor could simply accomplish in a matter of minutes *today*. )

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

This is strong work by the Councilor on the potential for regulating commercial drones. But it's also more evidence that state and local governments are urgently lagging in the regulatory authorities to address the myriad newfangled threats from big tech.

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Reposted by Terry J. Harris

Kat Mahoney @kmahoneylaw.com · 13/10/2026

Helmet 17 - Eli Arnold. Sept 5, 2020 - the big night over near Ventura Park. This is him and his colleagues chasing protesters This was the night that Elijah Warren, an East Portland homeowner and single father, was struck in the head with a baton by a Portland police officer

Still pic from video - Portland Protests Sept 5 2020

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

It's so disappointing to have respected groups and otherwise smart people just fall in line behind what is the dumbest rationalizing for the dumbest ballot measure I think I've ever encountered. I know they know better. They must.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Yeah, the way the PB charter amendment is written (derogatory), city staff is central to the vetting of "PB-qualified" projects.

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Reposted by Terry J. Harris

Laura Bassett @lebassett.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

A Republican SuperPAC called Defending Main Street apparently mixed up Portland Oregon and Portland Maine and ran this ad for Susan Collins in the wrong state

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

One of the most satisfying Ravens drive in quite some time.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

More kitten snuggling today - at retro gaming convention. $5 for 5 minutes. I’ll be here til 3 or so.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Portland residents who truly want "a meaningful say" over how their tax dollars are being spent should be voting against this charter measure.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Were they not paying attention to the Council budget debate? Unless the proponents can show where there is a spare pile of $16 million discretionary dollars - they can't, and won't - their proposal will necessarily cause significant cuts somewhere in an already impossibly tight budget.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Our so-called "discretionary" General Fund is less than 10% of that "entire $8.5 billion." It is how we fund police, fire, emergency, and the basic infrastructure of running the city. Their $16M set-aside costs more than all of Portland Street Response with money left over.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

"The City Council can meet the small obligation from Portland’s entire $8.5 billion budget" is just utter nonsense. Our water and sewer money goes to water and sewer operations. Our parks levy money goes to parks. Our fire and police pension levy goes to pensions.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

This, in a letter to the Oregonian today from the chief petitioner of the "participatory budgeting" initiative, inadvertently demonstrates why it is such terrible policy. It's NOT "budgeting" if you can't say (or don't understand) where the money comes from.

The Oregonian/OregonLive’s editorial on the participatory budgeting measure parrots the same scare tactics of the measure’s opponents by claiming it would likely force cuts to core services (“Editorial endorsement November 2026: Vote ‘no’ on Portland’s pricey participatory budgeting measure,” Sept. 27). That is not what this measure requires. Measure 26-267 clearly states the city would not have to use General Fund dollars at all; it just requires enough funding (~$16 million or the equivalent of 2% of the General Fund) to ensure residents have a direct and meaningful say over some of the public investments made on their behalf. The City Council can meet the small obligation from Portland’s entire $8.5 billion budget.

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Reposted by Terry J. Harris

lizardbreath 🦎🪦🎃 @spindlypete.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

no law but siuslaw

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

It looks a lot like one of my Maryland Law t-shirts, but that's a whole different thing

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Reposted by Terry J. Harris

Leah Sottile @leahsottile.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

In the tight governor's race here in Oregon, I haven't seen anyone ask Christine Drazan about her views on the death penalty. Looks like she told a crowd in Astoria in April that she would lift it: dailyastorian.com/2026/04/07/s...

dailyastorian.com

Senator Christine Drazan makes Astoria stop - The Astorian

Spirited chatter emanated from Fultanos’ back room on Monday night where the Clatsop County Farm Bureau hosted a Q&A with Republican State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan. About 2...

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

A lovely tribute. So sorry for your loss.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I'm not sure how helpful I'd be. Neighborhood folks are going to know the neighborhood issues relevant to the PP&D letter. (Neighborhood folks are also going to know the Type III review process better than me too.)

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Reposted by Terry J. Harris

iain @maccoinnich.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Per Portland Permitting & Development's interpretation of the Zoning Code, Amazon's proposed drone delivery facility would be classified as a “helicopter landing facility”, required to go through a Type III Land Use Review (appealable to City Council) www.portland.gov/ppd/zoning-l...

Your narrative describes a proposed drone delivery operation from an order fulfillment center at
1001 N Schmeer Rd. An order fulfillment center is classified as a Warehouse and Freight
Movement use (Zoning Code Section 33.920.340), and this type of use is allowed outright
under the zoning designations that apply to this site.
However, the Zoning Code has additional regulations for a “helicopter landing facility” as
defined in Zoning Code Chapter 33.910:
Helicopter Landing Facility (HLF). Any area used for the landing and take off of
helicopters including heliports, helipads, and helistops. Peripheral areas, hangars,
parking pads, passenger terminals, and helicopter service areas are also part of such
facilities.
Since “helicopter” is not defined in the Zoning Code, we must refer to the dictionary definition
(Zoning Code Section 33.910.020). The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “helicopter” as
follows:
Helicopter. An aircraft whose lift is derived from the aerodynamic forces acting on one or
more powered rotors turning about substantially vertical axes.

Since the drones described in your submittal are aircraft powered by rotors on substantially
vertical axes, they must be considered helicopters under zoning regulations, and the place
where they take off and land must be considered a helicopter landing facility.
Regulations for helicopter landing facilities are in Zoning Code Chapter 33.243. Per Zoning
Code Section 33.243.030.A, Table 243-1, helicopter landing facilities as accessory uses must
be approved through Conditional Use Review.
Per Zoning Code Section 33.243.050.A.1, the Conditional Use Review for a new helicopter
landing facility must follow the Type III land use review process. The Type III land use review
procedure is described in Zoning Code Section 33.730.030, and the first step is a required PreApplication Conference (Zoning Code Section 33.730.030.A). To schedule a Pre-Application
Conference, please review the information and instructions at
https://www.portland.gov/bds/zoning-land-use/early-assistance/pre-application-conferences.
Under the current fee schedule, the fee for a Pre-Application Conference is $9,628.
The approval criteria for a new helicopter landing facility are in Zoning Code Section
33.815.210.A:
The following approval criteria apply to all helicopter landing facilities reviewed through
a Type III procedure.
1. The facility meets the safety standards required by state or federal agencies. The
facility must be approved by State Aeronautics and the FAA;
2. The facility is located so that the flights may take advantage of existing natural
flight corridors. Locations close to natural flight corridors such as freeways
are preferred;
3. Consolidating the HLF with other existing nearby HLFs is not possible or feasible;
4. In C, E, I, or CI zones, the facility will not have a greater impact than allowed uses.
If the facility will have significantly greater impacts, then it must be found that the
public benefits of the HLF outweigh the harm of the impacts. Locations more than

500 feet from land with residential zoning will be viewed more favorably by the
review body;
5. In OS, R, CR, CM1, CM2, CM3, and IR zones, the facility will not have a significant
negative impact on the livability of the area or a significant detrimental
environmental impact;
6. The facility meets all development standards contained in 33.243.040; and
7. The facility meets all noise regulations of the State of Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality and Title 18 of the City Code.
At the Pre-Application Conference, City staff would discuss these approval criteria with your
team and advise on next steps.
This analysis is based on information provided by you and our review of zoning regulations.
Please note that zoning regulations change over time, and these changes may affect the use
and/or development of the property. Please contact me at 503-823-7046 if you have additional
questions.
Sincerely,
Andrew Gulizia
City Planner
Enclosure: zoning map

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Ha! Nailed it! P.S. Seems like each *delivery* is a "helicopter landing facility"? Unless the helicopter doesn't actually land? bsky.app/profile/trry...

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Everyone gets a side-quest today

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

As I told Marc, I'm going to need some coffee first. It's *potentially* interesting for a number of reasons. It could also be simply some fairly benign legal mumbo-jumbo as infrastructure to a deal that may or may not be happening.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Marc scooped me by several minutes with this breaking news - the Moda Center Joint Authority intergovernmental agreement document just dropped, up for City Council review next week. www.portland.gov/council/docu...

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

A volunteer for the campaign. Helping to cover neighborhood assn meetings.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I was literally just looking at this and realized I was going to need some more coffee!

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Me at the neighborhood association meeting

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

And when Advantage is no longer advantageous, the insurance companies just bail

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Legend has it that Baltimore City Councilman Mimi DiPietro spent his latter retirement days in a tiny city-supplied office with a phone where he could make calls. jmoreliving.com/2019/08/12/5...

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

It's even worse than that. East County Rising Action Fund is the employer for one of the "Persons connected" to the YES campaign. The whole YES thing is a money-laundering alter-ego for ECR-AF. But legal (or at least legal-ish) in Oregon.

The "persons connected" to the YES campaign as listed in ORESTAR

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Yep. (More to the point, ECR collects the dark donations first, then donates "in-kind.")

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I was representing the NO campaign at the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association last night, and the dude from YES attempted to prebut my comments with the lobbyist slur.

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Terry J. Harris @trryjhrrs.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Where is YES getting close to a million dollars of "In-Kind" contributions? Almost entirely from East County Rising Action Fund, which is not required to disclose donors. (Someday, Oregon should really close these reporting loopholes.)

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