Category Archives: Planning & Building

COVID-19 City Updates

The well-being of our community continues to be our top priority. We appreciate everyone’s efforts to stay informed and help reduce the spread of COVID-19. For the latest information about City services and the coronavirus, please visit www.lakeoswego.city/coronavirus, or follow our City accounts on social. We are all in this together — #LOTogether.

Council Corner- Councilor Theresa Kohlhoff

Over the coming weeks we will highlight a different member of our Council and ask them three questions on how they are keeping up their spirits during COVID-19.

  1. What is something you are thankful for during COVID-19? I have been treated by all “essential” workers in a kindly way, with smiles and thoughtfulness. As I move forward, I will remember this and always have their backs.
  2. Summer Olympics has been postponed till 2021. If you had to participate in a Summer Olympics event, which would it be? Even at my age, I have always thought I still have at least one Ironman Triathlon in me. After all, the Iron Nun, Sister Madonna Buder, at 89 completed her 360th triathlon.
  3. What is your favorite meal to cook at home? Clam Spaghetti or Pasta Alle Vongole is still a go-to. I’m sure my Italian relatives never make it the many ways I do, and I did not grow up with it, but it’s often what’s cookin’ at Chez Kohlhoff.
Councilor Kohlhoff is looking forward to spending time with her grandkids.

City News

City facilities remain closed to walk-in traffic. Starting Monday, June 1, some City Hall services will be provided by appointment only. For more information or appointments, please contact the appropriate department directly.

Gov. Kate Brown approved Clackamas County’s application to reopen on Saturday, May 23. Entering Phase 1 means easing restrictions and specific business types can open if they meet all the guidelines set by the State.

The County must stay in Phase 1 for at least 21 days before it can consider the next phase of reopening. Requirements and details of Phase 2 and Phase 3 are still being developed and have not yet been provided by the State.

Community Updates

Clackamas County launched “Go Teams” – mobile staff members, equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to go out into the community to help individuals and families who are struggling with anxiety, unemployment, grief and other emotional and social problems during COVID-19. To access the Go Team service, call 503-655-8585 or visit https://www.clackamas.us/coronavirus/go-teams.

Business Oregon has created a Supply Connector resource to connect businesses and communities with PPE manufacturers and suppliers to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep employees safe.

PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR APRIL, 2020

CITY COUNCIL (CC) ACTIONS ON PLANNING ITEMS

On April 2 the City Council reviewed and approved a Business Assistance Program, including $250,000 in grants for small businesses, in response to COVID-19.

On April 21 the following annexations were approved by the City Council at their regular meeting.

  • AN 19-0008, 4688 Oakridge Road – 0.47 acres
  • AN 19-0009, 13962 Knaus Road – 1.0 acres
  • AN 20-0001, 16317 Bonaire Avenue – 0.23 acres
  • AN 20-0002, 5555 SW Childs Road – 0.42 acres

Continue reading PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR APRIL, 2020

PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR MARCH, 2020

CITY COUNCIL (CC) ACTIONS ON PLANNING ITEMS

On March 3, 2020, the CC conducted a public hearing on Resolution 20-07, a resolution approving the Luscher Farm Concept Plan for purposes of applying to Metro for an amendment to the Portland Metro Urban Growth Boundary. The CC gave final approval to the plan and adopted its findings for Resolution 20-07 on March 17, 2020.

At special meetings on March 23, March 26, and March 30, 2020, the CC received briefings on community and City issues during the City’s Declared State of Emergency.

PLANNING COMMISSION (PC) ACTIONS

On March 9, the Planning Commission held their second public hearing and tentatively approved the proposed Historic Preservation code revisions.  The final adoption of findings is delayed due to restrictions on public meetings under the City’s emergency declaration for COVID-19.

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

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMISSION (DRC) ACTIONS

City Boards, Commissions, and Committee meetings, unless legally required, were cancelled through April 28 under the City Manager’s emergency declaration in response to COVID-19. As a result, the March 2nd and March 16th DRC meetings were canceled.

HISTORIC RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD (HRAB)

City Boards, Commissions, and Committee meetings, unless legally required, were cancelled through April 28 under the City Manager’s emergency declaration in response to COVID-19. As a result, the March HRAB meeting was canceled.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAND USE DECISIONS

Staff approved two administrative land use cases as follows:

LU 20-0002, a request for Residential Infill Design Review variances to construct a new detached garage. The notice of decision was issued on March 13, 2020. The site is located on South View Road.

LU 20-0003, a request for a lot line adjustment. The notice of decision was issued on March 17, 2020. The site is located on Meadows Road.

PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCES

In March, staff held six pre-application conferences as follows:

  1. PA 20-0013, Major variances to construct carports over parking spaces in an existing residential parking lot on Tract A, 3rd Street.
  2. PA 20-0015, Development Review for an addition to an existing industrial building on Jean Road.
  3. PA 20-0016, Annexation, Resource Delineation, and 3-parcel minor partition or subdivision for new residential lots on Country Club Road.
  4. PA 20-0017, Design Review to replace an existing picnic shelter at George Rogers Park near Furnace Street and Green Street.
  5. PA 20-0019, RID review to construct additions to an existing single-family dwelling on North Shore Road
  6. PA 20-0020, RID review to construct a new single-family dwelling on Lakeview Boulevard.

ANNEXATIONS

The following annexations are scheduled for the City Council Meeting of April 21, 2020.

AN 19-0008 – 4688 Oakridge Road – 0.47 acres
AN 19-0009 – 13962 Knaus Road – 1.0 acres
AN 20-0001 – 16317 Bonaire Avenue – 0.23 acres
AN 20-0002 – 5555 SW Childs Road – 0.42  acres

PLANNING REVIEW OF BUILDING PERMITS, SIGN PERMITS AND BUSINESS LICENSES

In the month of March, Planning staff reviewed 30 building permits, 14 sign permits and 23 business licenses.

CODE ENFORCEMENT

In March, 15 code enforcement cases were resolved without Municipal Court action and one case was decided by Municipal Court action.

PERMIT CENTER ACTIVITY

Customer Contacts: During the month of March, staff served 405 walk-in customers and responded to 1,349 phone calls, or approximately 80 customer contacts per day. Of the walk-in customers, 41% were for Planning, 30% for Building, 20% for Engineering and 9% for other services. Of the phone-in customers 22% were for Planning, 38% for Building, 10% for Engineering and 30% for other services.

Building Permit Activity: During March, Building staff issued three demolition permits on C Avenue, Childs Road, and Bonita Road. Eight new Single Family Residential (NSFR) applications were received. Five NSFR permits were issued, as follows:

  1. 7th Street
  2. Lanewood Street
  3. North Shore Road
  4. Maple Circle
  5. Bonaire Avenue

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 28 issued in March by Building staff, with the median days being 34. Commercial Structural Permits include Commercial, Industrial, Multi-Family and Institutional, of which there were 20, with the median days being 99.

PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR FEBRUARY, 2020

PERMIT CENTER ACTIVITY

Customer Contacts: During the month of February, staff served 798 walk-in customers and responded to 1,360 phone calls, or approximately 114 customer contacts per day. Of the walk-in customers, 47% were for Planning, 30% for Building, 15% for Engineering and 8% for other services. Of the phone-in customers 23% were for Planning, 32% for Building, 15% for Engineering and 30% for other services.

Building Permit Activity: During February, Building staff issued three demolition permits on Lake Garden Ct., Summit Dr. and Lanewood St. Eight New Single Family Residential (NSFR) applications were received. Six NSFR permits were issued, as follows:

  1. Maple Circle
  2. Goodall Road
  3. Andrews Road
  4. Cortez Court
  5. C Avenue
  6. 6th Street

Continue reading PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR FEBRUARY, 2020

PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR JANUARY, 2020

CITY COUNCIL (CC) ACTIONS ON PLANNING ITEMS

On January 7, the CC enacted Ordinance 2834, annexing one parcel of 0.44 Acres and the public right-of-way at 5995 Carman Drive; and Ordinance 2835, annexing three parcels and the adjacent right-of-way consisting of 1.7 acres at 6244 Washington Ct. The CC also enacted Ordinance 2832, amending LOC Chapter 50 (Community Development Code) for the purpose of clarifying and updating various provisions of the code, and adopted findings (LU 19-0033). Continue reading PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR JANUARY, 2020

PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR DECEMBER, 2019

CITY COUNCIL (CC) ACTIONS ON PLANNING ITEMS

On December 3, 2019, the CC:

  • Enacted Ordinance 2831, establishing a Tax on the Demolition of Certain Residential Structures.
  • Adopted Resolution 19-59, Amending the Policies Discouraging Destruction of Natural Resources and Significant Trees Prior to Annexation.
  • Conducted a public hearing on an appeal of a DRC decision on tree removal by Renaissance Homes at 1507 Cedar St. The City Council upheld the DRC’s decision to approve the tree removal. (TR 499-19-03965 / AP 19-07)

Continue reading PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR DECEMBER, 2019

PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR NOVEMBER, 2019

CITY COUNCIL (CC) ACTIONS ON PLANNING ITEMS

On November 5, 2019, the CC:

  • Conducted a public hearing and tentatively approved Ordinance 2829, an ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan, Community Development code, and Zoning Map for 4403 Kruse Way (LU 17-0070).
  • Conducted a public hearing and tentatively approved Ordinance 2831, an ordinance establishing a Tax on the Demolition of Certain Residential Structures, with modifications.
  • Conducted a public hearing and enacted Ordinance 2833, updating LOC Chapter 45 Building Code.

Continue reading PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR NOVEMBER, 2019

PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR OCTOBER, 2019

CITY COUNCIL (CC) ACTIONS ON PLANNING ITEMS

On October 1, 2019, the CC:

  • Conducted a public hearing on and enacted Ordinance 2830, an ordinance revising and updating various provisions of Lake Oswego Code, including the following sections of the Tree Code: LOC 55.02.020, LOC 55.02.042, LOC 55.02.080, and LOC Article 55.08 Tree Protection, and amending Appendix 55.02-1 Native Mitigation Tree List.
  • Conducted a public hearing on and enacted Ordinance 2826, annexing one parcel consisting of 1.01 acres at 610 Atwater Road, and declaring City of Lake Oswego Zoning, and removing the territory from certain districts (AN 19-0004).
  • Conducted a public hearing on and enacted Ordinance 2827, annexing 5510 Washington Court, declaring City of Lake Oswego Zoning, and removing the territory from certain districts (AN 19-0005)

Continue reading PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR OCTOBER, 2019

PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER, 2019

URBAN & COMMUNITY FORESTRY WORKSHOPS

This year the City hosted its 13th consecutive season of free Urban and Community Forestry Workshops. The final workshop for this year, Creating Backyard Habitat in Urban Spaces, came to a close on Saturday, September 21, 2019. The final workshop of the year, was hosted at Tryon Creek State Natural Area and led by Friends of Tryon Creek Education Director Gabe Sheoships and Backyard Habitat Certification Program Site Technician Cindy Ellison.

Continue reading PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER, 2019

PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR AUGUST, 2019

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.

Continue reading PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS FOR AUGUST, 2019