East Lancaster Neighborhood Association

TRAFFIC PROJECTS

The following three projects are being constructed in our neighborhood:

1) Sunnyview Road NE at Lancaster Drive NE, Right Turn Lanes: This project provided a right turn lane from Sunnyview to Lancaster Dr. It was completed during the summer of 2008.

2) Sunnyview Avenue NE at 45th Avenue NE, Traffic Signal: This project will install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Sunnyview Avenue NE and 45th Avenue NE, with an interconnect to the existing signal at the intersection of Sunnyview Avenue NE and Lancaster Drive NE. City survey crews have mapped the site, and preliminary engineering and any right-of-way or easement acquisition will be completed in 2007. Construction is currently scheduled for 2008.

3) Market Street NE at Lancaster Drive NE, Right Turn Lanes: This project provided right turn lanes for westbound Market Street NE traffic and southbound Lancaster Drive NE traffic. Construction is complete as of the fall OF 2007.

PROPOSED TRAFFIC PROJECT

The Salem City Council has placed a street bond on the November 2008 election.

Two  projects that are included in the bond are the construction of a new connection between Market Street and Swegle Road. The realignment of the streets would provide for the culdesac of the existing street at the two intersections of Market in front of Swegle School and Swegle Road at the current intersection with 45th  Avenue. The new intersection will include a traffic light. 

The second project is to add a new traffic lane at Market and Lancaster.

The ELNA board voted in April to support the bond after holding several community meeting s to discuss these projects with adjacent neighbors. We urge voters to support this bond.

The following projects are currently being proposed for the ELNA area:

1) FOREVER FOSTER HOME Salem Christian Center has partition 1/2 acre of land on the east side of their property to donate to Catholic Community Services for the construction of a "Forever Home" which is a foster home facility that will provide a home for up to 6 children. They successfully petitioned the City to reduce the density requirements so that they only need to construct2 houses where 6 would have been required. In addition to the Forever Home they will also construct a "receiving Home" that will be used as a temporary shelter for up to 6 children while they wait for permanent placement in a foster home. Construction is expected to being in the spring of 2009 and be completed in about 30 days.

2) ZONE CHANGE at 4963 Center Street NE to Multifamily  To change the zone from Marion County UT-5 (single family residential) to Salem RM-1 (multifamily) on 1.61 acres. The proposal is to construct 23 mulitfamily units in two structures that would be 3 stories in height.  After a Public Hearing by the Salem Planning Commission this case was appealed to the City Council where its approval was upheld. However, the case was appealed to the state Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) and is now pending before the court. As a result this project was removed from the November ballot.You can contact ELNA land use chairperson, Susann Kaltwasser at 503-363-3998.

Neighborhood Watch is a way for citizens to get to know each other while looking out for one another. Sponsored by the Salem Police Department the Neighborhood Watch program coordinator can hel p you to organize your neighbors, receive free training on how to protect your home and report a crime.  Contact Loren Fihn, ELNA Neighborhood Watch coordinator at 503-585-9817 or e-mail llfihn@comcast.net