Approved Minutes - 2011-01-24City of Lake Oswego Planning Commission
Minutes of January 24, 2011 Page 1 of 12
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
Planning Commission Minutes
January 24, 2011
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jon Gustafson called the Planning Commission meeting of January 24,
2011, to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall at 380 “A”
Avenue, Lake Oswego, Oregon.
2. ROLL CALL
Members present were Chair Jon Gustafson, Vice Chair Lynne Paretchan and
Commissioners Puja Bhutani*, Julia Glisson, Todd Prager* and Russell Jones.
Commissioner Jim Johnson was excused.
(*Not present during discussion of Package B)
Staff present were Debra Andreades, Senior Planner; Denise Frisbee, Director,
Planning and Building Services; Evan Boone, Deputy City Attorney and Janice
Reynolds, Administrative Support.
3. CITIZEN COMMENT
None.
4. COUNCIL UPDATE
Denise Frisbee reported the Council planned to meet with all department heads
prior to goal setting. The Council had discussed ways to help the School District
bridge the school funding gap. No decision had been made, but the Council had
asked staff to suggest what City services to cut in order to find about $2 million
savings to pass on to the District. She also informed the Commission that the
budgeting process had begun and that each department was forwarding its
proposed budget to the City Manager.
Ms. Frisbee indicated that staff had been working on making the City website a
better communications tool. Janice Reynolds showed the Commissioners where
they could find information on the site. Ms. Frisbee reported the Building
Department was issuing more building permits and that most of the projects were
small. She estimated that at the current rate the City could collect an annual total
of $260,000 in construction excise taxes on behalf of the School District. She
also shared with the Commission that the Planning Division was about to hold a
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goal-setting retreat. Planners Leslie Hamilton and Jessica Numanoglu had been
reclassified as Senior Planners. Ms. Frisbee thanked Chair Gustafson and
Commissioners Glisson and Jones for participating in the January 6 charrette for
design professionals; the results would help inform the draft vision scenario.
Ms. Frisbee recalled that the Commissioners wanted to know when the proposed
Parks Master Plan would be considered by the Commission and they wanted to
schedule a work session. She indicated that the Parks and Recreation director
had recommended the Commission join the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board (PRAB) to hear the consultant’s presentation. She said the meeting was
not yet scheduled, but would likely be on the third Wednesday in April. Chair
Gustafson observed a consensus to do that. Commissioner Prager indicated he
wanted to be able to go to the Parks master plan meeting prepared with answers
when others asked for Commission input. Ms. Frisbee planned to provide the
Commissioners with information in advance, including the code criteria the
Commission approved when it approved the parks master planning process.
5. MINUTES
5.1 December 13, 2010
Commissioner Glisson moved to approve the Minutes of December 13, 2010.
Commissioner Jones seconded the motion and it passed 5:0. Commissioner
Bhutani abstained.
5.2 January 10, 2011
The Commissioners revised the draft minutes regarding Item 9: Goal Setting and
Work Plan Meeting to clarify that the Commission agreed that it had successfully
implemented its resolution regarding the Commission’s working relationship; it
would review and update the Work Plan every six months and coordinate it with
the Rolling Agenda; and it had requested that future code amendments from staff
be forwarded on an annual basis rather than accumulated over multiple years.
Chair Gustafson moved to approve the Minutes of January 10, 2011 as
amended. Commissioner Glisson seconded the motion and it passed 6:0.
6. PUBLIC HEARING
6.1 LU 08-0052 (Ordinance 2525) – Community Development Code –General
Housekeeping and Minor Policy Amendments.
Amendments (Chapter 50) for the purpose of clarifying, correcting, formatting,
updating sections and discussing minor policy changes. Final review of
previously discussed items. Continued from December 13, 2010.
The proposed CDC amendments were separated into Ordinance 2525
Attachment B, Package A (version 10/9/10) and Package B (version 10/05/10).
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Minutes of January 24, 2011 Page 3 of 12
Chair Gustafson opened the hearing. Mr. Boone advised the Commissioners to
limit their discussion of information in a letter the Sustainability Advisory Board
(SAB) had submitted after testimony was closed to only the SAB’s response to
Chair Gustafson’s request for the SAB’s position on the staff proposal for solar
panels.
Package A
Section 50.22.015, General Exception to Structure Height Limitations
The Commission began by continuing its examination of Package A. Vice Chair
Paretchan had suggested some changes in her December 13, 2010 email. She
did not favor the proposed amendment that would allow solar panels to be
exempt from height limits. At this hearing, she explained that although she did
not support allowing any exception to the height limit, if the other Commissioners
were intent on allowing them, she would compromise and allow solar panels to
go up to two feet over the limit. She observed that putting the panels on a tall
house could cause it to block even more of the neighbors’ sunlight and that the
Commission had not heard from anyone that the community was not fine with the
current height limit. She suggested that if the Commissioners wanted to consider
exceptions to height for solar they should conduct a technical review first.
Commissioner Glisson indicated that two feet seemed a reasonable, modest,
limit for the time being. She agreed the Commission should plan to look into
what new technology was available.
Commissioner Jones reported that he had researched the subject and the two-
foot limit would not work in his situation. He had learned that the angle of a solar
panel should be equal to the latitude, plus 15 degrees in winter and less 15
degrees in summer. He calculated that if he set a 3’x6’, 250-watt, solar panel on
his flat roof at a 45-degree pitch, it would rise to about 42-inches above the roof.
He agreed the Commission should look at solar panels in more depth at a future
time and learn what worked and what did not work. When asked if the panel he
described would take his house out of compliance he answered that he did not
know, it might in back, but not in front. Commissioner Glisson wondered aloud
how many two-story, flat-roofed, houses there were in the City. Vice Chair
Paretchan related that her neighbor’s house was two-stories with a flat roof; if
four-foot high panels were mounted on the back, they would reduce the small
amount of sunshine she got now through the trees. She then withdrew her
proposal to allow exceptions up to two feet and held the panels should have to
conform to the height limit. She agreed the Commission should study the solar
issue further in the future. Chair Gustafson suggested the City should encourage
solar and not put obstacles to using it in the code. He indicated that although he
did not anticipate that making the panels completely exempt from a height limit
would lead to a big problem, he agreed that some limit could prevent an extreme
case. He recalled Commissioner Jones’ report and suggested the cap should be
set higher than two feet. Commissioner Bhutani agreed the Commission should
look into solar panels and wind turbines in the future. Chair Gustafson
suggested the Commission add a project to develop a green building code to its
work plan. Vice Chair Paretchan clarified that she did not want to discourage use
of solar, but there had to be a height limit. Chair Gustafson anticipated that could
force owners to choose between having the size house they wanted and having
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solar panels. Vice Chair Paretchan observed that the City did not let owners cut
trees that blocked sunlight. She did not want the small amount of light that
reached her house to be blocked by any kind of structure. She wanted to learn
about new technology and hoped the Commissioners would learn that the
equipment on the roof could be less intrusive.
Mr. Boone clarified that the code considered solar panels structures, but not “roof
forms.” Section 50.06.055, Height of Structure allowed “Peak-a-Boo” exceptions
to height for roof forms (see Package B, page 94). A roof form (for example, a
dormer) could be up to six feet over the height limit as long as it did not extend
more than one-third of the width of the roof of a residence. Commissioner
Glisson suggested the Commission also examine the Peak-a-Boo section when it
studied solar panels. Chair Gustafson observed a consensus to study the issue
and to remove solar panels from the exception list. He asked that the minutes
report that he was against doing that because he did not think it was a good idea.
Commissioner Bhutani asked if allowing additional height for solar panels could
be reviewed in the conditional use process. Mr. Boone advised it would be better
to make that a Class 1 variance because of the impact on the neighborhood.
Chair Gustafson recalled the code allowed some exceptions to the setback plane
for architectural features. Ms. Andreades advised those provisions did not
address solar panels.
The Planning Commission examined the proposed language that exempted
mechanical air conditioning equipment as well as solar panels from the height
limit on Non-Residential and Commercial, Public Use, and Industrial Uses. Staff
clarified the proposed change codified staff practice. Vice Chair Paretchan and
Commissioner Glisson held that mechanical equipment should not be allowed to
rise above the height limit. Commissioner Glisson held there were ways to
position that equipment appropriately within the height limit. She lived across the
street from a church that had such equipment on its roof, but the equipment had
a little fence around it and she did not believe it exceeded the height limit. When
asked, she clarified that she did not live close enough to the church to know if it
generated noise. Ms. Andreades observed that residential structures in
residential zones typically had the equipment on the ground close to the house
and staff required it to be screened. She explained that on a church or
commercial building the equipment was typically placed in a little well on the roof
and screened. Chair Gustafson noted that building design standards for non-
residential uses required it to be screened. Commissioner Glisson wanted to
ensure it would not be allowed to be any higher by not allowing an exemption for
it. Chair Gustafson saw that as a de facto height reduction. Instead of being
able to build a building to the height limit and then placing the mechanical
equipment on top of it, the building would have to be lower to leave room for the
equipment. Vice Chair Paretchan suggested the equipment should be placed
inside of the building. Chair Gustafson advised that could force a potential two-
story building to be one story. Vice Chair Paretchan suggested it could be
placed in a little box. Commissioner Jones agreed with Commissioner Glisson
and Vice Chair Paretchan. Commissioner Bhutani recalled mechanical
equipment was traditionally housed outside of the building. She questioned if
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requiring the units to be located in the building would impact the amount of
available floor area enough to cause the builder to increase the building envelope
and footprint. Ms. Andreades confirmed there would be less floor area to use
inside. Commissioner Glisson clarified her position was to not allow the
equipment to go over the height limit – she was not advocating requiring it to be
incorporated into the interior of the building. The builder could make part of the
roof flatter and lower to accommodate it and the result would be that it would
almost look like part of the roof form. That was what it looked like on the church
across the street from her residence.
Ms. Andreades reported the typical size of mechanical units had gotten smaller
over the years. Chair Gustafson indicated he would allow them to be on the roof
and exempt from height requirements as long as they were screened or hidden
behind roof forms so it was hard to tell the equipment was there. He noted the
roof form in front of the equipment would be exempt. Ms. Andreades showed an
example of a building that could be seen from Safeway. The equipment could
not be seen from the Safeway perspective, but on the back side people could
see the screening. She clarified for Chair Gustafson that a roof form would not
be exempt just because it was screening the equipment. Commissioner Glisson
recalled that HVAC equipment could be seen from a distance on the generally
shorter, flat-roofed, buildings in Lake Grove. She asked if they were above the
height limit and if the Avery Building was above the height limit. Ms. Andreades
did not know the specifics of each building, but she did not think most buildings in
Lake Grove were above the limit.
Commissioner Glisson explained she was sure it was possible not to have to go
above the height limit to have the equipment. Chair Gustafson anticipated that
owners would decide to locate the equipment on the ground instead of having to
make their building shorter to have it on the roof. He asked if that would be more
desirable than having it on the roof. Commissioner Jones asked how much
square footage would be lost if they had to lower building height. Mr. Boone
advised that if it were placed in the parking lot it would be considered an
accessory structure and factored into the calculation of allowable lot coverage,
except in the commercial zone, where there was no lot coverage limit. Ms.
Andreades recalled the mechanical equipment serving a new commercial
building on a site at the corner of Madrona/Boones Ferry Road was outside the
building, next to the garbage enclosure, and screened just like the garbage
enclosure. Commissioner Glisson observed that many zones had existing
development with equipment on it that was not yet at the height limit. She was
concerned that if the City began to allow exceptions to the height limit the
community would be shocked to see the zones redeveloping with taller buildings
with equipment on them that made them even higher. Vice Chair Paretchan
recalled that people had been shocked to see what the result was after allowable
lot coverage was expanded in the 1980’s. Chair Gustafson observed a
consensus to strike all of the proposed changes in boxes 2 and 3.
Article 50.59 On-Site Circulation – Bikeways, Walkway and Accessways
In her email Vice Chair Paretchan had asked the Planning Commission to
discuss how the proposal to apply Article 50.59 On-Site Circulation – Bikeways,
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Minutes of January 24, 2011 Page 6 of 12
Walkway and Accessways to any partition would affect two-lot splits in
established neighborhoods with no curbs or sidewalks. She was concerned
there were many residential neighborhoods where the result of requiring a
walkway would not fit neighborhood character, there would be sidewalk
segments in neighborhoods that did not want sidewalks. She clarified that she
supported the current code, which applied the requirement to subdivisions (four
or more lots). Commissioner Glisson observed that the related Standards for
Construction called for things like bollards or some other physical barrier and
curb ramps. Vice Chair Paretchan indicated that went too far. Vice Chair
Paretchan and Commissioner Glisson each anticipated their neighborhoods
would not like the results of the proposed change. Ms. Andreades explained this
would help address the “serial partition” problem (when an owner split land into
two lots and then split them again the next year). Vice Chair Paretchan
suggested staff find some other way to address the problem. Her priority was to
protect the character of existing neighborhoods. She recommended the Planning
Commission not recommend the proposed change and keep the existing code,
which applied the requirements to subdivisions and planned developments only.
The Commission did not want to apply the standard to partitions.
Article 50.77, Application Requirements
Section 50.77.045(1), Modification of Pending Application provided that
modification could be considered if it (1) Does not increase the intensity of any
use, or the density of residential use. Vice Chair Paretchan asked what “intensity
of use” meant and how it was measured. Mr. Boone advised the term was not
defined in the code. Ms. Andreades explained staff wanted to address situations
where an applicant changed the plan after it was found to be in compliance with
the code. Mr. Boone recalled two cases where the issue came up. After
applicant Parker filed a simple plan that met the code he started “designing it
out.” Applicant Rodriquez changed the number of dwelling units in the structure
from one to two. Ms. Andreades explained staff wanted to address situations in
which the change increased the square footage enough to trigger additional
requirements, such as more parking; or made a single family dwelling more than
one unit. Vice Chair Paretchan suggested just listing those specific things
instead of using “increase the intensity of use” so the code was easier to
understand. Mr. Boone agreed to do that.
Mr. Boone confirmed for Commissioner Bhutani that Section 50.69.010 allowed
fencing conditions to be imposed on a Conditional Use. He clarified that staff
was not proposing any changes to the Commercial/Institutional (CI) Zone, but
they did address the IP Zone. He related that staff hoped the Commission would
be able to finish examining both packages in time to forward them as one
package to the City Council to consider in one hearing.
*Commissioner Bhutani participated in the discussion of “Package A” and
Commissioner Prager was present for the discussion. Neither of the
Commissioners stated a position when consensus was sought and both left prior
to discussion of Package “B”.
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Package B
Article 50.02 Definitions
Accessory Building. Mr. Boone recalled the Planning Commission consensus
had been to address accessory uses separately and at a future time, so staff
recommendation was to make that discussion a separate work project.
Flag Lot. Current Planning staff proposed to change the definition. They would
eliminate the term, “flag pole” and just call it the “pole.” The definition specified
that access to the rear lot was via a pole or an access easement.
Garage, Side-loading. Staff language was intended to clarify that carports were
to be treated like garages. Where it talked about the orientation of garage doors,
the language, “or, in the case of carports, the vehicle access openings” was
inserted.
Live/Work Building. When Chair Gustafson asked why the provisions required
residential use to be above or behind the commercial or office use,
Commissioner Glisson recalled that during the discussion of the Lake Grove
Village Center (LGVC) Plan, the intent of the LGVC Advisory Committee was to
maintain the commercial character of the Village Center streetscape, so
residential use was not allowed to be “front and center” on the street. It had to be
above or behind the commercial use. Mr. Boone advised that staff had written
the amendment so it would apply generally, and in the future that use could be
used somewhere else besides West Lake Grove Zone R-2.5/W. Chair
Gustafson suggested creating a universal definition for Live/Work Building at a
future time.
Lake Oswego Master Plant List. This definition referred the reader to Appendix
50.02.005 9 to see listings of plants and trees. The Commissioners asked staff
to make the language under Street Trees – Prohibited easier to understand.
Commissioner Glisson asked staff to use a more consistent lettering or
numbering system under Lake Oswego Master Plan List. Mr. Boone anticipated
the online code would offer a link to the pages of reference material starting with
Solar Friendly Trees. It was not in current code, but was in the binders for
convenience of the Commissioners, who could remove those pages.
Lot Area or Lot Size. The proposed changes clarified how the area of a Non-
Flag Lot and a Flag Lots were calculated. The proposal was to calculate the
area of a Non-Flag Lot as the gross acreage of the lot within the lot lines. The
area of a Flag Lot was the area between the lot boundaries, less the areas of
access easements, private streets, and public streets.
Mr. Boone advised the Flag Lot reference to “public and private streets” had
been inserted by the Infill Ordinance. The Commissioners generally agreed it
was unnecessary to include “public streets.” Then they considered whether it
was necessary to include “private streets.” Staff indicated the code did not
define, “private street.” Commissioner Jones asked if the owner of a lot that
extended to the middle of the street was taxed up to the middle of the street. Mr.
Boone said no and clarified the tax was based on the value of the property. If
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Minutes of January 24, 2011 Page 8 of 12
there was a public easement over it, the value of the property would likely reflect
that the owner could not use it. Mr. Boone agreed with the concept of taking out
the reference to public streets, but he was leery about removing the reference to
private streets. The Commissioners had observed that a private street could be
a form of access easement, but in practice, an access easement was considered
something that served one or two lots. If the reference to “private streets” was
removed, someone might contend that a private street was not an access
easement because it served many lots. He suggested changing the reference to,
“access easement/private streets.” Vice Chair Paretchan agreed, noting that an
access easement was not necessarily a developed street. Mr. Boone clarified for
Commissioner Jones that if the City took over a private street and made it public,
the lot it served would no longer be a “Flag Lot,” and its area would be calculated
as the gross acreage within the lot lines. Commissioner Glisson indicated she
could support keeping the references to “access easement” and “private streets”
and removing “public streets.” Mr. Boone agreed with that.
Vice Chair Paretchan drew a hypothetical configuration of lots and accesses for
the Commissioners to examine and discuss what areas were to be counted in the
lot area calculation. Mr. Boone advised the lot fronting the street was not a Flag
Lot if the street frontage was at least 25 feet. The Commissioners considered
whether the area of a street-fronting lot should be calculated the same way as
the area of a Flag Lot: with the access easement area deducted. Staff
confirmed the current code definition required that.
Lot Area: “The area of a lot defined by the lot lines, less the area of access
easements, private streets and public streets.”
That meant the “flag” portion of the street-fronting lot had to be equal to or
exceed the minimum lot size allowed in the underlying zone. Commissioner
Glisson observed a need to clarify how a streetfront lot that was attached to a
Flag Lot should be addressed. Staff explained it had been treated differently
before the Infill code was adopted. In 2005 the code referred to “lot area” in
many places, but it did not define the term. Staff practice was to calculate the
area within the lot boundaries. Staff explained that the adopted Infill code
specified that the access easement was deducted in the calculation of lot area
resulting in many streetfront lots that had been considered conforming lots
becoming nonconforming lots. Because the access easement area had to be
deducted, the lots had to be much larger than before. Staff did not believe that
was what infill intended because the infill project had focused on access lane
issues. Mr. Boone explained the current proposal would return to the old method
of measuring them as non-flag lots, measuring them within their boundaries. The
access on Flag Lots would still be deducted, as Infill intended, and the
recommended change would have more desirable housing density implications
because it would make it possible for more lots to be partitioned. Ms. Andreades
observed the owners had some ability to move the lot lines around when they
divided a lot to make the Flag Lot a little larger to accommodate the access. Vice
Chair Paretchan observed that might be a challenge on many Lake Oswego lots
that were irregularly shaped. Commissioner Glisson observed the proposed
change would ensure that a streetfront lot was not penalized for having an
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access easement across it. Chair Gustafson confirmed a consensus to just
remove “public streets” and accept the rest of the proposed change.
Vice Chair Paretchan still wanted to take out “private streets” when they were
developed to a street standard. Ms. Andreades indicated that not all private
streets in the city were developed to public street engineering standards and
“private streets” was not defined in the code. Mr. Boone suggested replacing
“private streets” with “access lanes.” Commissioner Glisson indicated
agreement. Vice Chair Paretchan suggested just saying, “access lanes,” or
“area of access lanes.” Mr. Boone advised that “lanes” connect multiple
properties. Vice Chair Paretchan then agreed the definition could specify, “less
the area of access easements or access lanes.”
Lot, Flat; Lot, Sloped; Lot, Steeply Sloped. Commissioner Jones observed
the definitions did not make sense. He suggested the methodology should be
more consistent. Mr. Boone agreed, but advised this was not the process in
which to work on that. He suggested the Planning Commission could direct the
staff to work on it. Ms. Andreades anticipated staff would discuss it and if they
could they would propose language and talk about the implications of it to the
Commission at a later time.
Masonry. Staff proposed to reduce the depth requirement from at least two-
inches to 1.75-inches. Chair Gustafson advised that what made cultured stone
look like quality material was varying thickness and appropriately manufactured
corners. For that reason, he suggested replacing the minimum depth standard
with an average depth or a depth range standard between one and two-inches.
The range of depth could be easily found in the manufacturer’s specifications.
He observed the proposed 1.75-inch depth standard excluded use of most brick
veneer, which was typically ¾-inch to 1-¼ inch deep. He questioned trying to
achieve quality design via a definition. He advised that it would be preferable to
approve a design based on the manufacturer’s range of depth than by looking at
one well-chosen sample of the material. He indicated that using an average
depth would increase the number of types of cultured stone that could be used.
He reported that there were very good looking brick veneers available and one
could have the look of brick but save a lot of material by using veneer that was
made of real brick and featured manufactured corners. Commissioner Glisson
agreed that it was the variation in depth that gave cultured stone a chunky, stone
look. Mr. Boone observed a consensus to base the depth standard on the
average of the manufacturer’s range of depth specification. Chair Gustafson
observed the proposed change still ruled out brick veneer. Vice Chair Paretchan
and Commissioner Jones each reported she/he had seen examples of it that
looked fake and tacky. Chair Gustafson advised even two-inch material could
look bad. He suggested using the manufacture’s range and calling for an
average of 1.75-inch depth. When asked if the code should require
manufactured corners Chair Gustafson wanted to know how much discretion the
Development Review Commission (DRC) had to address this as a design issue
and allow quality appearing material that did not meet the 1.75-inch standard.
Commissioner Glisson wanted to know if they could disallow material that met
the depth standard, but was too cheap looking. Staff advised the DRC could ask
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an applicant for some other type of material if the material that was presented
was not quality material. The Downtown Design District Standards’ test for
allowing exceptions was whether the material was complementary to buildings of
good design in the vicinity. Chair Gustafson asked if the code could call for one-
inch or greater depth and rely on the DRC to say it was one-inch, but it did not
look good enough. Ms. Andreades cautioned that one-inch might be getting too
shallow. Commissioner Glisson was also concerned that it would be too shallow.
Commissioner Jones indicated he was inclined to keep the standard depth at
1.75, unless that presented a real problem. Ms. Andreades observed that saying
“average of the manufacturer’s range of depth” offered a little wiggle room.
Commissioner Glisson indicated her biggest concern was that the brick would not
actually have an average that thick. Mr. Boone observed the Commissioners
could specify a different standard for brick than for stone. He clarified for Vice
Chair Paretchan that the brick buildings on Kruse Way had been constructed
under county standards and that brickwork did not reflect City standards. Vice
Chair Paretchan then indicated she would agree to “regular-sized” brick.
Commissioner Jones indicated that if someone wanted to install thinner,
manufactured, brick, it had to have manufactured corners. However, for the time
being, he wanted to leave the standard the way it was written. He would not
agree to an average depth standard. He believed there needed to be a minimum
depth and he would agree to 1.75-inches.
Natural Area. Commissioner Jones explained he supported the Definition of
Natural Area in paragraph (1) (on the top of page 51) over the staff
recommendation. He recalled the Planning Commission had agreed on that.
When Commissioner Glisson asked him to clarify whether he would keep the
bolded language in that item, he responded, “keep the whole thing.” Chair
Gustafson and Mr. Boone recalled the Planning Commission had previously
reached a consensus on the definition. Mr. Boone advised the standards for how
to maintain Natural Area should not be in the definition. He said the reader
would be able to link to the maintenance standards in the online code.
Commissioner Jones said he preferred to see Mr. Kleinman’s effort remain here
unless it was moved in the code rewrite process. Vice Chair Paretchan could not
recall what her position had been at the time the Commission previously
considered the matter. When she asked, Commissioner Jones confirmed that he
had not been “on the losing end” of a vote at that time. Vice Chair Paretchan and
Commissioner Glisson observed the notation, “PC Consensus” meant all or a
majority of Commissioners had agreed to it. Mr. Boone recalled it was worked
out with Mr. Kleinman and the proposed change was acceptable to him.
Commissioner Glisson indicated she hoped it would not raise other issues
related to maintenance.
Open Space. Commissioner Jones asked staff to change “parks or natural
areas” to “parks and natural areas.” Mr. Boone agreed.
Pet Care, Daily. This was a new definition. Mr. Boone advised it was necessary
to define Daily Pet Care before considering in what zones that use was allowed
(page 248). Staff had shortened the definition the Commissioners had previously
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discussed. When Commissioner Glisson questioned how it was to be
determined whether overnight boarding of animals had exceeded the 25% limit,
Vice Chair Paretchan suggested there always had to be some “wiggle room” and
Chair Gustafson agreed.
Public Facility, Minor. Mr. Boone explained staff did not propose to change the
definition, but they did recommend the Planning Commission consider provision
(f) that allowed park improvements which would not create additional motor or
foot traffic impact on the surrounding neighborhood. He said the problem was
that most minor public facilities were permitted outright – before the level of
impact was known, and the reviewing body might have guessed wrong about the
impact. Vice Chair Paretchan asked staff to include that explanation in the
Future Work Plan notation.
RP District Development Standards
Mr. Boone agreed with Commissioner Glisson that there was a missing “than” in
a sentence in Section 50.16.075(D)(3), RP District Development Standards.
Article 50.05.005 Zoning Designations, Boundaries and Maps, Zoning Districts
Commissioner Glisson corrected a reference to R-7.5, which had an extra period.
Mr. Boone related staff had changed their recommendation about whether or not
to use a “/” mark to indicate mixed zoning. They had suggested removing the
slash, but determined not using it looked odd. He did not favor continuing the
use of the slash mark because each component was its own zone. The
Commissioners agreed with his suggestion to leave it to the code reorganization
process to determine how to handle it. Vice Chair Paretchan pointed out the
LGVCO (Lake Grove Village Center Overlay) and EO (Evergreen Overlay)
districts on page 67 should be capitalized.
The Planning Commission agreed to stop for the evening at page 70. Vice Chair
Paretchan asked staff to put the pages the Commissioners would examine next
on the agenda. Ms. Andreades explained that staff did not publish the page
numbers on the agenda and instead sent them to the Commissioners via email.
She said that public testimony was closed and printing costs would be
prohibitively expensive to have copies of a 400 plus page document available at
each meeting. Commissioner Glisson recalled that the Commissioners had
talked about how they welcomed emailed correspondence from Ms. Andreades
via email. She understood staff’s rational that many people might want a binder
for a meeting and then forget it and ask for another binder the next time it was on
the agenda. Vice Chair Paretchan indicated her concern was that the
Commissioners had agreed on an agenda notification process but staff had
decided to do it differently; and that communication with citizens to help them
keep up was not happening. Chair Gustafson recalled at the time the
Commissioners were trying to encourage public testimony on issues. But he said
now was the time for the public to listen to Planning Commission deliberations.
Vice Chair Paretchan said she wanted the decisions regarding how the Planning
Commission communicated to be decided by the Commissioners, not by staff.
She recalled the Commissioners had spent a lot of time talking about what the
agendas were to look like. Commissioner Jones indicated he liked getting the
City of Lake Oswego Planning Commission
Minutes of January 24, 2011 Page 12 of 12
information via email. Vice Chair Paretchan held it should be on the agenda, as
well. She asked Ms. Andreades if the staff had gotten any requests for hard
copies when the page numbers were printed on the agenda. Ms. Andreades
said she was not aware of any. It had been a while since the Planning
Commission invited public testimony. Commissioner Glisson observed that the
Commissioners had to talk about it so people could follow and that the
Commissioners had been “looking at this stuff for too long.” Mr. Boone noted the
schedule gave the Planning Commission one more meeting to finish examining
the amendments. Commissioner Glisson observed the work plan called for
getting it done by the end of the year. Chair Gustafson suggested they look at
the Rolling Agenda. It was during that part of the meeting that the Commission
generally agreed to continue LU 08-0052 to February 28, 2011 (see Schedule
Review, below).
7. OTHER BUSINESS – PLANNING COMMISSION
None.
8. OTHER BUSINESS – COMMISSION FOR CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT
None.
9. SCHEDULE REVIEW
The Commissioners examined the Rolling Agenda. They planned to continue
their discussion of LU 08-0052 on February 28, 2011 (starting with pages 233 –
274 and then the residential section starting on page 71). They anticipated they
would hear the IP zone amendments and continue LU 08-0054 at the February
14, 2011 meeting. They expected to receive direction from the City Council
regarding accessory dwelling units by the April 11 meeting. Chair Gustafson
asked the Commissioners to come to the next meeting with their spring break
schedules. When Chair Gustafson asked, no one indicated he/she planned to
attend the Metro One-on-One session for Planning Commissioners.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting was scheduled on February 14, 2011. There being no further
business Chair Gustafson adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Iris McCaleb /s/
Iris McCaleb
Administrative Support