PP 19-0012: Luscher Farm Area Concept Plan-2020

The City of Lake Oswego intends to submit an application to Metro for a major amendment to the Portland Metro Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) by March 15, 2020 (Metro’s deadline) to add approximately 83.3 acres of City-owned parks and open spaces (“Luscher Farm”) to the UGB. Metro code requires a concept plan be submitted with applications for major amendments to the UGB. Therefore the City is proposing a concept plan for Luscher Farm that will accommodate the current and long-term needs for integrated open space, park and recreational uses, including: 1) Urban agriculture uses and programs; 2) Athletic fields; and 3) Connecting trails and pathways.

Following Metro approval of the UGB amendment, the City of Lake Oswego will amend its Comprehensive Plan and Urban Services Boundary so that the Luscher Farm properties can be annexed to the city (subject to voter approval) and zoned Park and Natural Area (PNA).

Explanation of Proposal:

The City’s is proposing the concept plan and UGB amendment for the Luscher Farm properties because:

• Luscher farm provides open space, urban agriculture and recreational opportunities that cannot be achieved on land inside the existing UGB.
• Allows the City to maintain and expand a unique combination of uses such as urban agriculture, community gardens, cultural/ historic education, interconnected trails, and appropriate development of passive and active recreational facilities.
• The land is currently zoned Exclusive Farm Use (EFU), which is intended to protect “commercial agricultural” uses and it does not provide flexibility to accommodate "urban agriculture", trails and educational uses and programming envisioned at Luscher Farm.
• Urban facilities and services (sewer and water) cannot be extended to serve land outside of the UGB. Additionally, System Development Charges (SDC's) cannot be spent on infrastructure improvements outside of the UGB (such as pathways).
• The City will have more certainty regarding allowable land uses on the properties and will be able to fully implement the City's overall vision and the Luscher Area Master Plan.
• The City will be able to incorporate elements of the Luscher Area Master Plan into the City’s Comprehensive Plan and long-range public facility plans such as the Transportation System Plan, Wastewater System Plan and Water System Plan.

View a map of the concept plan area. The notice for the Planning Commission public hearing, staff report, draft concept plan and other documents can be found in the "Public Records File".