Proposed Measure 3-618

Overview

Measure 3-618 - If passed, authorizes road safety project, driveway realignment on specific park property

The City of Lake Oswego owns Stevens Meadows, a 28-acre park outside city limits in unincorporated Clackamas County. The County is responsible for maintaining and improving Stafford and Childs Roads, which are near Stevens Meadows.

In 2018, the County conducted a Federal Highway Administration road safety audit that revealed problems with the Stafford/Childs intersection, including limited intersection visibility, rear-end crashes involving injuries, high-speed turning, and heavy traffic without many gaps.

After a multi-year public engagement process and incorporating community feedback, the County designed and funded a new roundabout as the preferred project to address the findings of the road safety audit and minimize impacts to natural areas. 

If the measure passes, the County would use up to 0.4 acres of Stevens Meadows – 0.2 acres for the construction project, and another 0.2 acres to realign an existing gravel driveway used for park maintenance.

The County designed the project to reduce crashes, ease traffic congestion, and create bike lanes and safer pedestrian paths. The project also includes plans to mitigate potential environmental impacts of the project through work on the land around Pecan Creek, a fish-bearing stream directly adjacent to Stevens Meadows.

Measure 3-618 would amend the City Charter, allowing the City to grant the County use of up to 0.4 acres of Stevens Meadows for the limited purposes of public safety road improvements and park driveway realignment.

On the November ballot, Lake Oswego voters will have the opportunity to vote on Measure 3-618. 

Clackamas County Stafford Road Improvements Project Background

Between 2020 and 2024, the County presented alternative designs for the intersection to the public and other stakeholders, including the City. The County evaluated and accepted public comments on a number of alternative intersection improvement designs, including installing a traffic signal and two different potential roundabout designs.

As a result of the public engagement process, the County designed and funded the construction of a roundabout at the Stafford/Childs intersection. The project is designed to address the findings of the 2018 Federal Highway Administration road safety audit, reduce crashes, ease traffic congestion, and create bike lanes and safer pedestrian paths for multi-modal transportation and connection. 

If the measure passes, the County’s proposed design would use about 0.2 acres of Stevens Meadows for these road projects. The project would also realign an existing gravel driveway that is used to maintain the park, affecting another area of about 0.2 acres.

If passed, Measure 3-618 would amend the City Charter to allow Lake Oswego to authorize the County to use the 0.4 acres of Stevens Meadows needed for the County’s proposed roundabout design.

This information was reviewed by the Oregon Elections Division for compliance with ORS 260.432.