Approved Minutes - 2014-11-03Approved
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
Development Review Commission Minutes
Monday, November 3, 2014
Vice -Chair Brent Ahrend called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City
Hall, 380 A Avenue.
Members present: Vice -Chair Brent Ahrend, Gregg Creighton, Ann Johnson, Kelly Melendez,
David Poulson and Paden Prichard.
Staff present: Hamid Pishvaie, Assistant Planning Director; Johanna Hastay, Associate
Planner; Evan Boone, Assistant City Attorney; and Cate Schneider, City
Recorder.
MINUTES
Ms. Melendez moved to approve the Minutes of May 5, 2014. Ms. Johnson seconded the motion
and it passed 4:0:2. Mr. Creighton and Mr. Prichard abstained
Mr. Poulson moved to approve the Minutes of May 19, 2014. Ms. Melendez seconded the motion
and it passed 4:0:2. Mr. Creighton and Mr. Prichard abstained
Mr. Poulson moved to approve the Minutes of August 4, 2014. Ms. Melendez seconded the
motion and it passed 4:0:2. Ms. Johnson and Mr. Prichard abstained.
FINDINGS
LU 13-0020: A request by Brian and Linda Kitchen for approval of a modification of an approved
Development Review Permit (LU 99-0012) to construct a new single family dwelling. The
applicants also are requesting approval to remove 11 trees. Location of Property: 211 Furnace
Street (Tax Lot 101 of Tax Map 21 E11 BC).
Ms. Melendez moved to approve LU 13-0020-1858 Findings, Conclusions and Order. Ms.
Johnson seconded the motion and it passed 6:0.
PUBLIC HEARING
LU 14-0047: A request by George Passadore for approval for a modification of an approved
Development Review Permit (DR 14-76) in order to complete an exterior remodel of an existing
apartment complex. Location of Property: 12375 Mt. Jefferson Terrace (Tax Lot 2901 of Tax Map
21 E05BA).
Mr. Ahrend opened the public hearing. Mr. Boone outlined the applicable criteria and procedure.
Each of the Commissioners related her/his business/employment. Ms. Melendez and Mr. Ahrend
each reported making a site visit.
Staff Report
Ms. Hastay had provided the October 24, 2014 staff report. She reported that the applicant
proposed to update the outdated facades of the buildings in the Ridge at Mountain Park apartment
complex by changing the existing industrial gray colors and materials to a mix of siding materials
and colors and, where feasible, adding small new entryway expansions or gabled roof elements.
The Mountain Park Architectural Committee had approved the design pending the City's approval.
Staff found the application was in compliance with the dimensional standards in place for the
City of Lake Oswego Development Review Commission
Minutes of November 3, 2014 Page 1 of 4
Mountain Park PUD. She advised that the two development standards that were applicable to the
proposed changes related to Building Design and Drainage. Staff found the proposed modifications
were complementary to the overall design and surrounding development with a condition of
approval clarifying that orientation of slats in the entryway railings was to be horizontal. Staff
recommended approval subject to the conditions of approval in the staff report.
Questions of staff
During the questioning period Ms. Hastay clarified that some of the free-standing carports had at
least one side wall. Those walls would be updated to horizontal lap siding. She confirmed she had
noticed that there were more gable roofs shown in the elevations than were shown on the site plan
and the applicant could discuss it. She detailed texture/color changes related to fagade articulation
changes. Staff discussed that the amount of net new impervious area draining from roofs was well
under the Engineering Department's 6,060 -square foot threshold to requiring a stormwater quality
treatment facility. They noted the related condition of approval mentioned in the staff report that
one option could be a stormwater quality manhole. Staff clarified that the decks that were proposed
to be removed were being removed so the buildings did not present a hotel -like appearance. They
were not required for fire egress and the residents still had balcony area on the other side. Staff
confirmed the hearing notice indicated where people could view the related information.
Applicant
Steven Routen, Steven Routen Architects, LLC, 75200 Clatskanie Valley Dr., Clatskanie, Oregon,
represented the applicant. He indicated he had been asked to update the buildings' skin, which
was uniform and unattractive and had suffered from years of deferred maintenance; deal with
water intrusion issues; and create an appropriate focus for the buildings. He proposed to change
the focus to the front elevation entrances. He referred to the Color and Materials slide and
discussed the details that created a lodge -like look. He explained the orientation of the entry railing
slats was supposed to be in contrast with the vertical slats used on the connecting egress balcony
railings. He explained how he had tried to create interest in the building skin and break up the
massing using colors and strong trim details. He had consulted the City's Plans Examiner and they
agreed the Oregon Structural Specialty Code called for two separate means of egress from the
third floor but egress balconies were not required on the second floor. There would still be private
balconies on the other side of the building.
Mr. Routen discussed that the heavily treed landscaping would be left much as it was now, except
that the applicant would remove some birch trees that shadowed the entrances. Ms. Hastay
clarified tree removal was not proposed in this application. The applicant could apply for an
invasive tree removal permit after approval. Mr. Routen said no additional hardscaping was
proposed and they were not adding impervious area as the new roofs over the entrances were all
over existing sidewalks.
The architect discussed his criteria for the type of entry structure. He noted that if an important tree
would have to be removed to construct the new entry they would drop the entry. If a tree was too
close to a carport he did not put one in that location for fire safety reasons. If an entry was tucked
behind a series of trees where no one would ever experience the design he chose not to put one in
that location. An example of that was that there were no entrances on Building 1. In locations
where he felt it was important to break up a long roofline and he could not go all the way to grade
due to carports he designed dormers to call attention the entrances. He clarified that the Site Plan
identified each of those conditions/locations/types and it was possible that he had not accurately
drawn every elevation as represented on the Site Plan. However, the Site Plan was what governed
what they would actually be building. Something would be done to all of the buildings except for
Buildings 1, 2 and 9. Ms. Hastay asked him to clarify what the roof element for the dormer would
look like. He referred to Exhibit E-5.
City of Lake Oswego Development Review Commission
Minutes of November 3, 2014 Page 2 of 4
Mr. Routen clarified that the freestanding carports featured a back storage wall. He would make it
less obvious by using painted lap siding. Because the site was concealed from offsite view by the
tree canopy he had paid a lot of attention to detailing of gables, roofscapes, and chimneys that
people could see from off site. He detailed the sizes, spacing and neutral tone of the railings and
that the new garage doors would be steel with an interesting vertical pattern, painted a neutral
color.
Questions of Applicant
Mr. Routen was asked to detail which railings would have vertical slats and which would have
horizontal slats. He explained he designed horizontal slats at the entryways to make them more
unique and used vertical rails for the bridges/balconies. He noticed that he had not detailed them
correctly on some elevations. He clarified that the site plan showed that some buildings were
getting entryways; others were getting dormers; and three buildings (1, 2 and 9) were not getting
either one. He was asked to discuss specific buildings and detail where and why he would use a
full entrance structure or a roof form/dormer. He and the Commissioners discussed the type, finish
and overlap of siding and depth of overhang in different areas. He clarified the colors of specific
locations and features when asked about them; and clarified that all the color changes were made
at inside, not outside, corners. He clarified the applicant was not proposing to add any windows to
the project. He clarified the proposal met the requirements for emergency egress because of the
window sizes and because the required second exit on a third floor was the emergency egress
balcony. They were not required to have that kind of balcony on the second story so they
eliminated it.
Public Testimony
None.
Deliberations
The applicant waived their right to hold the record open for a final written argument. Vice -Chair
Ahrend opened deliberations.
Mr. Ahrend remarked on the confusion related to the documents not being consistent. Ms. Hastay
advised that the Commission could refer to the recommended conditions of approval which said
the Site Plan was the controlling document and required that the building elevations had to
substantially comply with the Site Plan. She noted Mr. Routen had clarified that he would have
horizontal slats only in the new entryways - which were from the gable roof form all the way down —
and he would have vertical slats in the balconies.
Mr. Ahrend questioned whether there was actually a need for the condition related to treating
stormwater runoff. Mr. Boone advised Drainage standards were not really land use standards and
the Commission's role was to determine whether the code requirement was met that called for the
City Engineer to review the matter and include recommendations in the conditions of approval. He
suggested the Commission could refer this back to the City Engineer for re-evaluation. If she
determined the condition was not appropriate because the amount of runoff was not great the
Commission could drop the condition when they voted on the findings.
Ms. Melendez discussed that she found the red/rust trim detail a little jarring, but otherwise the
applicant had done a great job updating the site. Mr. Prichard expressed concerns about egress
from bedrooms that were so far off the ground even though they met the Code. Mr. Boone advised
the Building official would review that during the building permitting phase.
Ms. Johnson moved to approve LU 14-0047 subject to the staff recommended conditions. Mr.
Creighton seconded the motion and it passed 6:0. The final vote on the findings was scheduled
on November 17, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.
City of Lake Oswego Development Review Commission
Minutes of November 3, 2014 Page 3 of 4
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE -CHAIR
The Commissioners generally agreed to postpone elections until after the four soon -to -be -open
positions were refilled.
GENERAL PLANNING AND OTHER BUSINESS
Staff discussed the organization and timing of an upcoming hearing packet.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business Vice -Chair Ahrend adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:25
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Reynolds /s/
Janice Reynolds
Administrative Support
City of Lake Oswego Development Review Commission
Minutes of November 3, 2014 Page 4 of 4