URBAN & COMMUNITY FORESTRY WORKSHOPS

During August, the City hosted three additional free Urban and Community Forestry Workshops as follows:

August 2, local International Society of Arboriculture Board Certified Master Arborist Todd Prager volunteered his time and expertise to lead a Native and Invasive Tree Identification Walking Tour from Forest Hills Elementary School down Andrews Road to Atwater Road. Ten participants learned common terms, concepts and techniques used in tree identification, became familiar with how to identify a tree by looking at leaves, fruit, bark, twigs and form, and practiced identifying a variety of tree species along the walk.

August 22, Planning Department staff led two workshops exploring the City’s code requirements for tree protection and tree removal. The afternoon workshop for arborists and other professionals had seven participants and the evening workshop for the general public had 16 participants. Both workshops included an indoor presentation to explain the various types of tree removal permits and tree protection requirements, and an outdoor demonstration with examples of tree protection fencing and discussion of techniques for protecting trees during construction.

New free workshops are scheduled periodically. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited with preference given to Lake Oswego residents. Please visit https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/planning/urban-community-forestry-workshops-2019 for more information.

CITY COUNCIL (CC) ACTIONS ON PLANNING ITEMS

City Council was recessed during August; therefore there were no actions on Planning items.

PLANNING COMMISSION (PC) ACTIONS

On August 12, 2019, the PC conducted its second work session on implementing the recommendations of the 2018 review of the Citizen Involvement Guidelines. The purpose of the work session was to discuss inconsistencies between the Guidelines and current City practices, and to consider options for updating the Guidelines. (PP 19-0006)

Please refer to the following web page for the current PC meeting forecast: http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/boc_pc/schedule-and-information

SUMMARY OF DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMISSION (DRC) ACTIONS

At their regular meeting on August 5, 2019, the DRC met and considered the following:

• DRC approved the Findings, Conclusions, and Order denying AP 19-02 [499-19-01931], a request by Karen Inaba for a Type II tree removal application to remove 2 trees. The site is located at 535 Atwater Road
• DRC also held a public Hearing and tentatively approved LU 19-0034, a request for approval of a major variance to reduce the required 25-foot front yard setback to 5.33 feet in order to construct a 2-car garage. This site is located at 548 Ridgeway Road. Adoption of the Findings, Conclusion & Order was scheduled for August 19, 2019.

At the August 19, 2019, DRC meeting, the commission considered the following:

• DRC approved the Findings, Conclusion, and Order approving LU 19-0034.
• DRC held a public hearing and tentatively denied AP 19-01 [499-19-01631], a request by Lynn Bertelsen for a Type II tree removal application to remove one 54” DBH Douglas fir tree. The Commission continued this hearing from July 15, 2019 to allow additional written evidence and written rebuttal to the new evidence submitted only. The hearing was continued for deliberation only. The site is located at 534 D Avenue. Adoption of the Findings, Conclusion & Order was scheduled for September 4, 2019.

HISTORIC RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD:

The Historic Resources Advisory Board did not meet in August. The Board will continue their work on revisions to the Historic Preservation Code in September.

PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCES

In August, staff held four pre-application conferences as follows:

1. A request for a 6-lot subdivision of a property containing a historic landmark (Carman House) on Carman Drive.
2. A request for annexation, a 2-parcel minor partition with the retention of the existing dwelling on one parcel, delineation of RP Districts, and an unavoidable driveway/utility crossing on Forest Meadows Way.
3. A request for Development Review for additions to the Lake Oswego tennis center and modification and expansion of the parking lot on Diane Drive.
4. A request for a Resource Enhancement project in the Carter Creek Resource Protection District (RP) to upgrade an existing stormwater facility and mitigate an earlier violation on Meadows Road.

ANNEXATIONS

AN 19-0020 – Ordinance 2805 Southwood Park Annexation: Staff met with the Southwood Park Neighborhood Association on August 26 to discuss the Southwood Park Annexation and answer questions. Residents will vote on September 17, 2019. If the official election results received from Clackamas County show that a majority of votes favor annexation, the Lake Oswego City Council will then adopt an ordinance proclaiming the annexation and establishing the legal description of the boundaries of the annexed area. The City will then file copies of the proclamation ordinance, the original annexation ordinance, and the election results with the Oregon Secretary of State at which time the annexation goes into effect.

PLANNING REVIEW OF BUILDING PERMITS, SIGN PERMITS AND BUSINESS LICENSES

In the month of August, Planning staff reviewed 25 building permits, eight sign permits and 28 business licenses.

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Fourteen Code Enforcement cases were resolved in Aug without Municipal Court action.

PERMIT CENTER ACTIVITY

Customer Contacts: During August, staff served 905 walk-in customers and responded to 1,590 phone calls, or approximately 113 customer contacts per day. Of the walk-in customers, 49% were for Planning, 29% for Building, 16% for Engineering and 6% for other services.  Of the phone-in customers 19% were for Planning, 35% for Building, 15% for Engineering and 31% for other services.

Building Permit Activity: During August, Building staff issued two demolition permits on 1) North Shore Road and 2) Upper Drive. Staff also received four New Single Family Residential (NSFR) applications. In addition, six NSFR permits were issued as follows:

1. Washington Court
2. Chandler Road
3. 6^th Street
4. 6^th Street
5. Sunningdale Road
6. Bryant Road

The above median timeline for review is from application completeness to “ready to issue”. As of November 2018, the Planning Department has provided NSFR plan review services for both Planning and Engineering reviews. Ready to issue includes time that applicants need to address corrections required for code compliance or factors beyond the City’s control.

In addition to NSFR permits, Residential Structural Permits include remodels, additions, decks, etc., of which there were 21 issued in August by Building staff, with the median days being 21. Commercial Structural Permits include Commercial, Industrial, Multi-Family and Institutional, of which there were 21, with the median days being 50.