Background

The City is proposing amendments to the Lake Oswego Community Development Code in response to testimony that the Planning Commission and City Council received at public hearings on the new infill standards that the City adopted in 2003.   Citizens suggested that the down slope wall of a house should be allowed to be taller so the living area on a single floor could be maximized and the need for stairways lessened.  The development code currently limits height on sloped lots to 35 feet at all points along the slope.

The City is proposing the following changes:

•  Define a steeply sloped lot as a lot where the slope exceeds 25%.

• Add criteria to allow height variances when single-family dwellings are located on steeply sloped lots and can not provide at least 400 square feet of garage area and 900 square feet of floor area on the main floor.

• Allow an increase in building height on steeply sloped lots up to a maximum of 45 feet.

• Establish appearance standards for down slope facades on sloped lots including enclosed support structures, variations in rear wall planes, and landscaped screening.

Proposed amendments to the Community Development Code would be made to:

• Section 50.02:         Definitions

• Section 50.06.055:  Height of Structures (R-0, R-2, R-3 and R-5 zones)

• Section 50.07.030:  Height of Primary Structure (R-6 zone)

• Section 50.08.035:  Height of Structures (R-7.5, R-10 and R-15 zones)

• Section 50.06.060:  Dwelling Design (Residential Medium and High Density R-0, R-2, R-3 and R-5 zones)

• Section 50.07.040:  Dwelling Design (First Addition District R-6 zone)

• Section 50.08.045:  Dwelling Design (Residential Low Density R-7.5, R-10 and R-15 zones)

• Section 50.68.010:  Variance Standards

Staff contact is Dennis Egner,
Long Range Planning Manager, 503/697-6576

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