RUIDO
D.- CAMBIO
Action
Build a rain garden along or in your alley.
Reasoning
A rain garden is a sunken garden that absorbs rainfall from hard surfaces like roofs, pavement, and driveways. When an area is covered in natural vegetation, most rainfall soaks into the ground. As we start adding roofs, driveways, sidewalks, and streets to the landscape, much of the rainfall can’t soak into the ground any longer.
Rain gardens allow stormwater to soak into the ground naturally.
What you need to know
Resources
You can take Rain Garden workshops for free through the East Multnomah Soil &
Water Conservation District (http://www.emswcd.org/raingarden). You can visit your favorite nursery and ask about their native plants. The GardenSmart toolkit is another helpful tool when planning your garden (http://www.portlandoregon.
gov/bes/article/197414). The Community Watershed Stewardship Program provides mini-grants for native plantings (http://www.portlandoregon.gov/BES/
article/142306). You can also review the invasive species list to ensure you are not planting an invasive species (http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/55084).
Rain gardens also provide an opportunity to grow native plants
DIFFICULTY COST
BUILD A RAIN GARDEN
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BUILD A RAIN GARDEN
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Breakdown of a rain garden. Source: http://earthfix.opb.org/
City Policy
Low growing plants and minor gardening do not require a permit: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/
bes/article/188636. PBOT’s Encroachment Policy offers the following guidelines:
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The garden or plants must be installed in portion of the right-of-way that the abutting property owner is responsible for (see diagram).The plants must be well maintained in accordance with Title 29 (Property Maintenance Regulations) of City Code http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=28193
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In essence, the plants or garden must not be a nuisance (impeding visibility of drivers, bicyclists or pedestrians).•
The City Traffic Engineer has authority to require removal if the planting becomes a safety hazard (per Title 16 of City Code). http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=28180
Utilities considerations
Call before you dig. Make sure you don’t damage underground utilities by digging a rain garden. Call (800) 332-2344 to locate all underground utilities.
The service is free.
Call utilities before you dig
DIFFICULTY COST
BUILD A RAIN GARDEN
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Through naturescaping, alleys can become certified as official wildlife habitat sites
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Action
Plant native plants in your yard or along your alley.
Reasoning
Naturescaping is creating a garden or natural space that utilizes native plants.
As a result, these plantings reduce water use and stormwater runoff without sacrificing any beauty. Naturescaping is more efficient in terms of time and money because native plants are better adapted to our soil and climate and as a result, they require less care once established.
What you need to know
Education
You can take Naturescaping workshops for free through the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (http://www.emswcd.org/raingarden).
You can visit your favorite nursery and ask about their native plants. The GardenSmart toolkit is another helpful tool when planning your garden (http://
www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/article/197414). The Community Watershed Stewardship Program provides mini-grants for native plantings (http://www.
portlandoregon.gov/BES/article/142306). You can also review the invasive species list to ensure you are not planting an invasive species (http://www.
portlandoregon.gov/bes/55084).
DIFFICULTY COST
NATURESCAPE
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Receeding sprinkler head City Policy
Low growing plants and minor gardening do not require a permit: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/
bes/article/188636. PBOT’s Encroachment Policy offers the following guidelines.
•
The garden or plants must be installed in portion of the right-of-way that the abutting property owner is responsible for (see diagram).The plants must be well maintained in accordance with Title 29 (Property Maintenance Regulations) of City Code http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=28193
•
In essence, the plants or garden must not be a nuisance (impeding visibility of drivers, bicyclists or pedestrians).•
The City Traffic Engineer has authority to require removal if the planting becomes a safety hazard (per Title 16 of City Code). http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=28180
Planter boxes are allowed in the alley without a permit as long as the boxes are movable and no larger than 8 feet in length and 3 feet in height.
Most importantly, planter boxes shouldn’t interfere with access and through traffic. For additional design guidelines and criteria on planter boxes see pages 25-27 of the PBOT Encroachment Policy.
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/
article/409066
Irrigation systems do not require a permit either, but must meet the following requirements:
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Only non-pressurized plastic feeder lines and sprinkler heads are allowed.•
Sprinklers must be flush with the ground when not in use.•
Irrigation systems should not distribute water to non-landscaped areas.•
Systems should not interfere with utilities and other public infrastructure.•
The property owner is responsible for any damage to the system caused by repair, replacement, or installation of utility systems or any other permitted ROW work.You can also e-mail your questions to
[email protected] or visit the PBOT office at:
PORTLAND BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION 1900 SW 4TH AVENUE, SUITE 5000
PORTLAND OR 97201
Nature
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Action
Agree to share your yard with your neighbor(s) and remove the fence(s) between your properties.
Reasoning
Yardshares involve sharing your private property with your neighbors as you already share your alley. It can be an excellent first step in building the community required to organize around improving your alley or augment ongoing alley-based efforts. With your fence removed, you and your neighbor can grow larger gardens, or create multiple dedicated spaces such as fire pits, flower gardens, and play areas which may only be feasible in your own backyard.