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Approved Minutes - 2006-12-18 (04)MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chair called the meeting to order at 7 PM ROLL CALL Commissioners Tierney, Ostly, Meisburger and Needham were present Commissioners Binkley and Stadnik were excused Staff present were Boone, Pishvaie, Andreades, Bader APPROVAL OF MINUTES None FINDINGS LU 06-0031 Needham asked if the Commission should even consider their request. Boone replied there is no opportunity to testify on the merits of it, the question is whether or not whether the findings do. Needham stated that he has problems with that, as staff has briefed positions. Boone replied, there is a provision that we adopt the staff report or the findings, etc. Issues get raised and post hearing, we’ve gone through the material and based on the commissions discussion filled in those holes and ultimately those holes. Are these the rational of the commission, and objectively they are. Neeham noted that sometimes, there is a specific directive to staff to prepare findings. Andreades noted that there are times when you’re all up there we get the jist of what you’re saying and we write it up, and you get it to review or no you don’t agree, and we fix it. Boone noted it’s not like a staff report, we only have 2 weeks to respond to this and the appeal go to City Council. Ostly asked if these are the 7 trees we talked about. Boone stated yes, you didn’t talk about the trees on an element by element basis, staff did discuss them in the staff report. That’s staff’s job. Needham noted clearly there is an appeal coming, but he would hate to see this vehicle used to inject issues at a later time. Boone noted in this case he doesn’t think they’re trying to interject new issues. This fills in the holes on the criteria. Needham noted that if we have to go down every checklist on every criteria. Pishvaie noted this is your final decision, that brings everything together, and a synopsis of everything addressed. Ultimately this is a document that you can agree of disagree with. Tierney stated we articulated the issues on the code and discussed them. Ostly Moved to approve Needham Seconded; passed Tierney, Ostly, Needham voting yes Meisburger abstained Binkley and Stadnik absent Put off to the end. LU 06-0029 Ostly Moved to approve Needham Seconded; passed 3-0-1 Tierney, Ostly, Needham voting yes Meisburger abstained Binkley and Stadnik absent PUBLIC HEARING LU 06-0067 Chair continued to 1-3-07 PUBLIC HEARING LU 06-0069 Chair Tierney read the rules and regs. All present stated they had no bias and their occupations. Staff Coordinator Debra Andreades, Associate Planner presented her report. Staff recommends approval with the conditions as proposed. New exhibits submitted. G200, G201 and G1 Chair Tierney asked if the conversion to artificial turf will increase the use of the field. The field will be able to be used year round, rather than just during the good weather as it is now. Andreades stated that the frequency of use will be increased, but that the sound will be any more than it is now at any one time used. Ostly asked if it was just the district or others would be allowed to use it. Andreades replied that it would be open to other users than the school district, and that’s why there are user agreements in place. Boone stated that is why staff erred on the side of caution, given the fact that it is close we should treat it as a major modification rather than a minor. APPLICANT Lake Oswego School District, represented by Dorothy Cofield, Rob Drier and Dr. Korasch. Dorothy Cofield, 12725 SW Milikkan Way, Ste. 300, 97005, Nick Wilson, Landscape Architect Ms. Cofield pointed out G200 which was presented late this afternoon regarding report, enforcement of parking, etc. all historical issues that aren’t fair to put on this proceeding. She stated that Nick Wilson will address G 201 was presented by John Lewis and G1 a number of surveys from the neighborhood. She noted it seemed to indicate that the measures for the CU review are working and there were some concerns for the safety fence and why we need it. Ms. C noted there was a neighborhood meeting and some issues regarding landscaping came up. Dr. Korasch, 352 Livingood Lane, 97034 – he stressed the neighbors are happy now and have worked with the school to find solutions and identify problems and address them. He stated that the City has done a tremendous job helping to solve this problem as well as the Lakeridge community lead by Principal Mike Lehman. When you look at this field, it’s Oregon, and the demand wears out the field as it becomes mud. It will increase usage, as it was designed to be used continuously, that’s why we need the artificial turf field to hold up to increased usage. Rob Drier, 1515 Cloverleaf Rd, 97034 – He reviewed the plans for the field with the commission so that everyone understands how the site will be used. He stated that the primary access is through Overlook. The access to this field will be to the west of the school where the parking area. There may be construction vehicles to the north of the field, but the bulk of it will come from the Overlook access. The field is 380 feet long by 190 feet wide. It will be laid out similar to the existing turf field for football and soccer. They plan to place a javelin runway on the western side, there will be a fire road to the artificial turf, goal posts will be on the field for football. There will be a drinking fountain on the southern edge of the field. On the northern edge there will be a 10 foot fence, 440 feet long along the edge at the top of bank to keep the balls and children from going over the edge. If you watch soccer or most games, but sometimes the balls can go high enough to go over someone’s head, so they don’t actually land on a car driving on Cloverleaf. They want to have the contractor work Monday – Saturday, during the allowed City hours by code. Nick Wilson, Atlas Landscape Architecture, 320 SW 6th, Ste. 300, PDX 97204 – with regard to obscuring the field with landscaping they want to dress up the field with shrubs ground cover and trees. Starting with a low growing ground cover 6”, then 16”, then 4’, then 8’ high. They’re all evergreen and then a staggered row of Red Sunset Maples. Exhibit G201 – concerns about the heat that artificial turf surfaces generate. Natural grass does transpire moisture into the air and does have a cooling effect, and will be cooler than artificial. There are many surfaces that aren’t played on natural grass, and those surfaces routinely warm up and this turf hasn’t shown to be hazardous in any way. He’s done many fields around the Metro area and hasn’t heard of an issue with heat on the surface. Leachates coming from the materials in the turf and leaching into the ground water. The turf is made up of a geo textile backing, turf fibers are polyethalene and polypropolene, with rubber from tires. If there are concerns about leachates from rubber tires, the streets are covered with them. If that was a concern he would have thought that the DEQ would have already raised that issue. They don’t have to apply the chemicals on the lawn for fertilizers like they used to. Chair Tierney asked about an onsite restroom. Dr. Korasch replied there is an onsite restroom located in the area of the field, it is not adjacent, but a reasonable walking distance. Tierney asked if there was a port-a-potty with the baseball field? Korasch replied there is one there. PROPONENTS John Bartell, 17754 Tree Top Lane, 97034 – He’s a neighbor of the school, shares a property line over the back fence with it. He is in the Palisades NA and is pleased they are not opposing this field and that the school has done an excellent job minimizing the inconvenience to the neighbors. He looks forward to having better recreational facilities for his children to use. Ann Powers, 1840 Cloverleaf Rd., 97034 – She has lived there since 1960 before the school was built. Her concern is to have landscaping that is not taken care of and the sprinklers are on all the time. There is lots of planting that aren’t being taken care of and she wants to make sure that it will be taken care of. Larry Lapardo, 48 Hillshire, 97034 – His daughter goes to school there and is the VP of LO Soccer Club. He noted the safety issue of playing on slick grass fields, that the artificial fields will be much safer. There was a Nike Soccer Tourney and a LaCross Tourney there this year and non-sd users have been run very well with no cars parked outside of the parking lots. He urges the Commission to vote yes. Dylan Muncrieff, 2643 Riven Dell Rd., 97034 – He’s a freshman at Lakeridge HS. He plays football, and the freshman team had to play on the grass field with holes and sand all over the place, whereas the turf field is much better. The mud on the grass field was terrible. He stated that all the teams compete for the artificial field now. Tyler Moncrieff, 2643 Riven Dell Rd., 97034 – He thinks the turf field is better because the grass field is harder to play on and isn’t safe. Shane Moncrieff, 2643 Riven Dell Rd., 97034 – They want to support this request for the turf fields. Catherine Bergeron, 17841 Westview Dr., 97034 – She’s a Senior this year and has played on the fields for her time at the school. She’s seen many people hurt themselves by slipping on the grass fields, etc. The teams have urged their teammates to respect the neighbors and park where they should. She urged the Commission to pass this request. Chair Tierney asked if there is a need for an additional permanent bathroom. She replied she didn’t care if she had to use the portapoty. Kevin Costello, 17618 Lake Haven Dr., 97035 – He’s a past president of the Pacer Club. He thanked the SD for asking the Commission for this improvement, he thanked the Commission for their attention to this and he thanked the neighbors for working through the past problems. Karen DeStefano, 3434 Lakeview Blvd, 97035 – She thanked the City, SD and School Board, Lakeridge administration and Lakeridge Neighbors. The reasons that we’re seeking a new turf field, the SD have received a donation of turf carpet that will allow this to be available. There are more students playing field sports at the college level than ever before. The two LO High Schools are seeing an increasing interest in sports on the fields, rather than a decline as other schools are. Hundreds of students, and a growing trend of girls who now have the chance to play a field sport. Voting yes is for the future community of LO and the students that will come. Duane Oertell, 2845 Vale Ct., 97034 – His children were Lakeridge students and he’s past president of the pacer athletic club. He shared a couple of prospectives of his own view. There have been processes they went through by making use of donated materials for the turf field and he has a little prospective as a historian. Both Mr. Lehman and Dr. K asked him to be involved. He stated the most consistent and most reasonable location was to use the Cloverleaf position. Dan Dutton, 18406 Old River Landing, 97034 – He has 4 children, and is the president of Lakeridge Youth Football. They are a private club for children who want to play football between 3rd grade and 8th grade. They are very excited about the possibility of using this field for football. The current field has dirt clumps, sprinkler heads and then becomes a mud pit that is nearly unplayable. They would be allowed to play the entire season irrespective of the rain should they be allowed to put this field in. They have worked very closely with the users, neighbors and the City in order to complete this request. They have made many strides in the right direction and significant improvements in order to control the traffic situation. Cindy Lewis, 17903 Ridge Lake Drive, 97034 and Ines Bjolsen, Palisades NA and presented a power point presentation – She is representing the NA Association. She noted that each neighborhood in the association has it’s own manager. Palisades is the largest Neighborhood Assoc. They support this request with conditions. It’s very important that the school works with the neighbors as it is very close to the homes. The HS is becoming a very good neighbor now and she thanked Mike Lehman and commended them. She noted the neighbors are having a problem and he gets right on it. He is continually working with the neighbors and are very happy and want this relationship to continue. This has been a joint effort to come to the point where everyone agrees. She thanked Doug, Debra, Mike Lehman and the neighbors. Prior to a permit to grade the practice fields are required to sign a condition for use for with a map showing the parking area and the penalties for not complying and should be strictly enforced. Every month there should be a meeting with coaching advising users of the fields of any problems, etc. Cloverleaf is a narrow street and if parents are there dropping of kids, two cars can’t even pass. Minutes of the Neighborhood meetings shall be submitted to the City Manager for review and there should be a meeting every 6 months. Every 4 months the first year there should be a meeting. Traffic control and noise requirements about equipment working on the fields. The neighbors greatly appreciate the improvement of the usage of the fields. Garbage collection and trash could be better. Future concerns are lighting and that the area is manageable. The neighbors do not want the portapoties. Ines Bjoleson, 497 Livingood Lane, she has been a pacer mother and they need to be reminded that the common good is what we’re here for tonight. There have been rough times in the past, and thanks to the dedication and hard work of many people that they have arrived to a place where there is a common denominator and she asks that this be a seamless effort and a pleasant experience for all those who use this facility. OPPOSED None NEITHER FOR NOT AGAINST Jaylene Halabach, 1685 Cloverleaf Rd., 97034 – she is the area rep for her area of the neighborhood. She has lived in the neighborhood for many years, especially after the CU permits were granted and the turf fields were put in. The neighborhood is very livable and the history hasn’t been there in terms of compliance. Her concern is what happens next, and how is compliance going to be when they don’t have anything they want anymore? She stated the Marjorie Road is barely passable when cars are parked on both sides of it. She stated that logically the lighting of this field will put an increased demand on that field, even through the lights aren’t planned or funded right now. REBUTTAL Dorothy Cofield, attorney for the school district – she discussed the restrooms. The permanent rest rooms are 400 feet from this field, with 2 each for men and women. There is also a combination that will allow these restrooms to be used on the weekends, as it’s cost prohibitive. With the other conditions, penalties on the form, there is a generic form on the back of the staff report, that if you want to play you have to follow the rules, the district would be willing to beef up the wording. The frequency of the meetings with the neighbors the SD is willing to meet with them at anytime. Tierney asked about the Landscaping is there irrigation planned? Nick Wilson, Atlas, yes they are planning an irrigation system and the materials are drought tolerant and low maintenance. Dr. Korasch, stated that they cut custodial staff and grounds staff in 1995 because of an economic decision. They would rather have teachers rather than ground staff who could have addressed the issues at that time. Dorothy Cofield, attorney for the school district – she pointed out that there is an 8 year reporting requirement to the DRC to make sure that the conditions imposed are being imposed. No one wanted to hold the record open. Applicant waived the right to 7 days. DELIBERATIONS Chair Tierney asked about the sign code variance and if that was separate. Ostly stated that she’s impressed with the efforts of the SD to make sure they meet the requirements and the increased demands on the area. Concerns about landscaping and on going mtce. Chair Tierney suggested adding irrigation on Condition D1. Ostly stated that access to the principal is more important if there is a problem rather than having meetings to 4 times a year. She doesn’t see the need especially if they’re as responsive as they are now. Chair Tierney thought it should be in there. He congratulated the SD in making the NA a proponent and having conditions that would enhance the use of these fields and is a good credit to everyone. Ostly moved Needham seconded. ** Changed CD’s to #2 LU 06-0069 – SC 06-0001 Sign Code Chair Tierney read the rules and regs. All present stated they had no bias and their occupations. Staff Coordinator Debra Andreades, Associate Planner presented her report. Staff recommends approval with the conditions as proposed. She noted that a 1 foot square sign would be visually ineffective. The sign will be needed to attract people to the location. Staff pointed out that the sign is required to be aesthetically pleasing. She stated they have imposed the condition to submit a modified sign design, and submit new colors to ensure compatibility. APPLICANT Rob Drier, 1515 Cloverleaf Rd., they are proposing to install two signs along cloverleaf property line. Tierney asked if there is a reason why they chose 7.25 s.f. Drier replied that they wanted to have a sign that was reasonably adequate for visibility and wanted to have signs that are similar around the City. PROPONENTS None OPPONENTS None NEITHER FOR NOR AGAINST None REBUTTAL None DELIBERATIONS Ostly stated that they need to communicate the rules we’ve made them use. She sees no problem. Boone noted that what they communicate on those signs isn’t within our purview. Needham stated that it’s the nature of the property itself and the way people come upon it. Ostly moved Needham seconded All voted yes. GENERAL PLANNING ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM