October 2011 Foothills Planning UpdateThe Draft Foothills District Framework Plan is available for public review and
comment. A copy of the report can be viewed at the Lake Oswego Library, City
Hall and online at www.lakeoswegobusiness.com. The draft incorporates input
from Lake Oswego citizens and businesses on how to transform the 107-acre
riverfront property into a vibrant new Lake Oswego neighborhood that has
housing, businesses and connects Lake Oswego to the river. The planning effort
required detailed studies addressing roads, traffic, pedestrian access, Streetcar
connections, flood plain management, and significant community thought about
design standards and possible zoning changes for the District. The potential
financial benefits to the City include more than $1 billion of future private
development that is expected to generate more than 2500 construction jobs
and sustain more than 2000 permanent jobs. Increased property values would
generate enhanced revenues over the long term to support critical City services
and schools.
Preparing the District for this development will require public and private
investments in infrastructure. ECONorthwest is preparing a Financial Feasibility
Plan for the District. The key premise of the funding plan is that public investment
in infrastructure comes from development-related taxes or fees such as Tax
Increment Financing and System Development Charges, all funding sources that
are development-derived and would not otherwise go to public services.
For more information on how concepts are developing for our next
great neighborhood and how to comment on the draft plan, visit www.
lakeoswegobusiness.com, and click on the “Foothills” tab.
Foothills Draft Framework Plan Ready for ReviewGuided by significant public involvement process, the study, which includes recommendations on key issues for the District, is now available. To review the plan please go to www.lakeoswegobusiness.com and click on the “Foothills” tab. Feedback can be sent to info@wdwlo.com.
September 2011FOOTHILLSPlanning Update
September 2011 Draft Framework Plan Available for to October 2011 Public Review and Comment
October 2011 Finalize Foothills Framework Plan, Submit to Cityto December 2011 Begin Board/Commission Briefings City Council Action on Framework Plan
December 2011 Regulatory Amendment Process to February 2012
“““The proposed
Lake Oswego/Portland
Streetcar extension . . .
has the potential to deliver great benefit to the City of Lake Oswego in general, and downtown Lake Oswego and Foothills specifically. Consistent with the direc-tion provided to the planning team at the outset of the project, the Framework Plan seeks to fully integrate the proposed Streetcar in Foothills in order to maximize access to the Streetcar from surrounding areas, increase ridership and leverage pri-vate investment in the area.” (Framework Plan, Section 5.0, Page 9)
““The Framework Plan
has recommendations
for new comprehensive
plan policies that . . .
Encourages the development of a newmixed-use zone in the Foothills Districtthat permit the development ofcommercial, residential and public uses...Encourages the development of strongpedestrian connections or series ofconnections between downtown and theWillamette River... Gives form to theFoothills District and extends the humanscale that typifies downtown... Integratespublic and private development design elements that reinforce the quality of the Lake Oswego Community... Ensures that redevelopment in the Foothills District applies high standards for sustainable design in construction and operations...” (Framework Plan, Section 5.0, Page 44)
- Seamless pedestrian access between Foothills and down-town businesses and amenities
- The Willamette Steps become a new public space and “vertical park”
- Park-and-ride and general parking located in under-ground structures at B Avenue in Foothills
- Retail and small business opportunities focus on corners of public plaza where pedestrians gather
- Detailed floodplain analysis shows no significant rise in flood elevation, mitigation strategies are available
- Numerous public open spaces complement connection to and views of Foothills Park
- Vision for building height and mass preserves view cor-ridor and allows economically feasible development
- Revised terminus location takes advantage of existing City ownership of surface parking lot
- New visual “gateway” from State Street to streetcar terminus
- New public plaza on the east side of State Street draws pedestrians to transit connection in Foothills