from their new Cannery Square plaza.
The City of Sherwood (about 17 miles southwest of Portland) is holding a public hearing during their City Council meeting tonight on a new ordinance that would ban “wheeled activities” — including bicycles — near public spaces.
A reader tipped us off to this issue via coverage on OregonLive.com.
Sherwood Police Chief Jeff Groth is spearheading the new ordinance. Here’s how he lays out the issue on page 52 of tonight’s City Council Meeting Packet (PDF here):
City Staff has identified a need to protect significant public investments in the City of Sherwood from damage resulting from improper use and to protect the City of Sherwood from liability that may arise from improper use.
The new code (see it below) would specifically prohibit the use of “bicycles, unicycles, roller-skates, roller-blades, scooters and skateboards” within 30 feet of “public spaces.” The new ordinance defines “public spaces” as any property that is “owned or held by the City of Sherwood for public use, including parks and open squares.” Failure to comply would result in a $50 citation.
Impetus for the ordinance comes from “improper use” of the new Cannery Square, a 12,000 square foot plaza on the corner of Pine and Columbia streets in downtown Sherwood. A background statement provided to City Council members explains that, “Public places within the city are designed, built and intended for pedestrian focused activities and are not conducive to use of bicycles/unicycles, roller skates/blades, scooters and/or skateboards.”
As someone who grew up in Orange County, California, I’m well aware of skateboard bans due to the damage they cause to structures; but adding bicycles into that mix is less common.
Our Washington County reporter Will Vanlue will try and attend the meeting tonight to learn more about the issue. Stay tuned for a follow-up.
If you live in or around Sherwood, consider showing up to the hearing at City Council tonight at 7:00 pm in City Hall (22560 Pine Street).