Neighbors Raise Flooding, Safety and Playground Concerns Over Proposed Fernberg Park Shelter and Middle Housing Development

Neighbors near Fernberg Park and attendees of Monday92s Milwaukie City Council meeting pressed the city to reconsider a neighborhood proposal for a covered shelter in Fernberg Park and raised multiple concerns about a separate middle‑housing development on Harrison Street.

Several residents who live adjacent to Fernberg Park said the park is largely wetland and already experiences yard and basement flooding during heavy rain. They asked the council and staff to evaluate drainage and stormwater impacts before approving a 20‑by‑20 covered shelter with a concrete pad, and to consider how roof runoff and a new pad could increase ponding and basement seepage for nearby homes.

Resident Sarah Soderberg said her property faces the park and described “swampy yards and wet basements” near the proposed shelter location, arguing that additional impervious surface could worsen existing drainage issues. Another nearby resident said the park’s majority users are families with young children and asked the city to prioritize playground equipment upgrades, adding that the proposed shelter would not address the playground conditions and that funds would be better spent on ADA‑accessible play structures.

Other speakers opposed a shelter because of safety and usage concerns: one neighbor said a covered structure with electricity and water would likely attract more unsheltered people and extend park stays beyond dusk in a cul‑de‑sac location with limited parking, potentially increasing safety and sanitation impacts for adjacent homeowners.

At least one speaker who represents the existing neighborhood association said almost all neighbors support park improvements except for the shelter structure; they asked the council to remove the shelter element while approving other park enhancements. Another speaker and park volunteer noted parts of Fernberg are designated wetland and said any improvements should include restoration, underbrush removal and a perimeter boardwalk as identified in the park master plan.

Council and staff responses in the meeting were procedural: staff said the shelter proposal is a community‑led idea, not a city‑proposed project, and encouraged more neighborhood engagement. Assistant City Manager Joseph Brillio said staff had toured parts of the site with neighbors and would follow up on safety and drainage options. Council President Will and other councilors urged the neighborhood association and proponents to walk the park with staff and neighborhood leaders; a neighborhood walk‑through was scheduled the following day.

Commenters also raised concerns about a separate middle‑housing development on Harrison Street: residents reported code and right‑of‑way issues during construction, including blocked sidewalks, erosion control failures and an apparent start of work without permits. Those residents asked the city to clarify typical construction expectations and to publish better guidance about permitted right‑of‑way uses and the construction review process.

City officials acknowledged the concerns and staff said a public meeting on middle housing is being scheduled for July to continue community engagement; staff also said code enforcement and right‑of‑way issues reported by neighbors were under review. Council did not vote on park or shelter approvals; public comment closed with staff promising follow‑up and additional engagement.