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City of Lake Oswego Development Review Commission
Minutes of May 21, 2018 Page 1 of 7
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
Development Review Commission Minutes
Monday, May 21, 2018
The Commissioners convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 380 A Avenue.
Members present: Chair David Poulson, Vice Chair Brent Ahrend, Paden Prichard, Jason
Frankel, Nick Shur, Jeff Shearer, Kirk Smith
Members absent: None
Staff present: Jessica Numanoglu, Planning Manager; Leslie Hamilton, Senior Planner; Evan
Fransted, Associate Planner; Evan Boone, Deputy City Attorney and Jean
Hall, Administrative Support.
COUNCIL UPDATE
Councilor Theresa Kohlhoff briefly gave an overview of her visit to the Clackamas County Domestic
Justice Center and Children’s Center, noting that the City of Lake Oswego does not contribute to
those centers. She noted that she will now be taking on the Metro liaison functions for City Council.
She reported that Council has been working on Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations. She reported
that there will be three openings coming up on City Council.
MINUTES
Moved to June 4, 2018 meeting.
FINDINGS
LU 17-0047, an appeal of the staff decision to approve a Sensitive Lands modification to reduce
the front yard setback in the R-7.5 zone from 25 feet to 17 feet in order to construct a single-family
dwelling on a lot mostly encumbered by a Resource Protection (RP) District (wetland) and the
removal of six trees to construct the dwelling. The site is located at 667 Lake Bay Court
(21E10BA06100). Staff coordinator is Leslie Hamilton, Senior Planner.
• Motion by Mr. Shearer to accept the findings of the appeal. Seconded by Chair Poulson
and passed 3:2 with 2 abstentions.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
LU 17-0065, a request by Ottbone Investments for approval of a 2-parcel minor partition, including
one flag lot, and the removal of 14 trees. The site is located at 1923 Mapleleaf Court
(21E16BA03002 and 4402). Staff coordinator is Leslie Hamilton, Senior Planner. This hearing was
continued from the May 7 DRC meeting. The opportunity for oral testimony was closed by the
Commission at the April 2, 2018 hearing. The Commission, on its own motion, left the record open
for written testimony regarding only slope stability as it relates to the proposed drainage systems
(new and rebuttal evidence to be submitted by April 20 and 27, 2018, respectively). Persons
submitted Exhibits F12 through F16 and G203 through G210 during that time period. On May 7,
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again on its own motion, the Commission left the record open until May 14, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. for
written rebuttal testimony only to Exhibits F12 through F16 and G203 through G210 regarding only
slope stability as it relates to the proposed drainage systems.
Mr. Boone asked Commissioners to make their declarations of ex-parte contact or conflicts of
interest since the last meeting. Commissioner Ahrend stated he was not at the last meeting but
that he viewed the last hearing on video. None of the Commissioners expressed any bias, ex-parte
contact or conflicts of interest.
Staff Report
Leslie Hamilton gave the staff report, noting strikeouts made by staff to the written testimony that
staff found did not relate to the limited scope of soil stability and proposed drainage system per the
continuance for rebuttal testimony.
• Exhibit F-13 – staff struck out irrelevant text on stormwater conveyance and trees. No one
on the Commission objected to staff edits.
o Motion by Mr. Smith to agree with staff recommendation on strike out text.
Seconded by Mr. Ahrend and passed 7:0
• Exhibit F-14 – Ottbone Investments rebuttal: staff struck out irrelevant text and an image.
o Motion by Mr. Smith to strike text and image related to trees per staff
recommendation, seconded by Mr. Shur and passed 7:0.
• Exhibit F-15-Rebuttal from applicant (sales agreement): staff recommended striking the
entire exhibit as it is outside the scope of soil stability and drainage system.
o Motion by Mr. Smith to strike entire exhibit per staff recommendation, seconded by
Mr. Frankel and passed 7:0.
• Exhibit G-204-Supplemental testimony from Black Helterline dated April 20, 2018 regarding
conveyance and tree issues. Staff recommended striking the irrelevant testimony on
portions of pages 2, 5 and 6 and the warranty deed at the end.
o Commissioner Smith recommended that testimony describing the conveyance by
deed on page 4 should be stricken; modification and tree removal text on page 5
should be stricken, as should the warranty deed. He recommended not striking the
page 6 testimony on tree removal and soil stability. Chair Poulson disagreed with
Mr. Smith—on the page 6 testimony—and that it should be stricken. Motion by Mr.
Shearer to strike all testimony as noted by staff. Second by Mr. Frankel and passed
7:0.
• Exhibit G-205-email testimony by Patricia Thiery-Bourque, dated April 20, 2018 - staff
recommended striking all irrelevant testimony on earthquake hazards, 1994
Comprehensive Plan text and other issues as noted by staff.
o Motion by Mr. Shearer to accept the staff recommendation for strike outs as noted
in the staff report. Mr. Prichard asked why testimony related to the City’s
classification of landslide risk was not relevant and that it should be left in. Mr.
Shearer stated that it relates to earthquakes and not drainage systems. Chair
Poulson disagreed, but noted that earthquakes could be related to soil stability.
Amendment to the motion was accepted by Mr. Shearer to include the testimony
and earthquake and hazard maps related to landslide risk.
Chair Poulson asked for clarification from the Deputy City Attorney on opportunity to
rebut the testimony. Mr. Boone stated the testimony was submitted prior to April 27,
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Minutes of May 21, 2018 Page 3 of 7
2018 and could have been rebutted by the May 14th deadline. The question is only if
it is related soil stability and proposed stormwater facilities.
Mr. Prichard noted the history of the property from the testimony is relevant and
stated that the history related to slope stability and should remain in the record. Mr.
Ahrend disagreed with Mr. Prichard based on rules in effect today.
Mr. Smith recommended that the three lines in the third paragraph on page 1 and
landslide maps (Figure 4-5, page 7) be retained in the record. Seconded by Mr.
Shur and passed 7:0.
• Exhibit F-17--Ottbone Investments rebuttal evidence dated May 14, 2018: New
testimony was new text and graphs from Rapid Soil Solution (RSS), which was not
included in earlier testimony.
o Shawn (Ottbone Investments) made a comment that the testimony was in
response to rebuttal to show that a more conservative approach was used for
the EEI study. The Commission discussed whether the testimony went beyond
rebuttal and included new information.
o Mr. Smith said he agreed with the staff recommendation on the striking of the
testimony.
o Chair Poulson gave his opinion that the information presented went beyond
rebuttal with new tests and should be stricken.
o Mr. Ahrend asked if there was a way for them to rebut when only one
assumption was changed. Mr. Poulson stated that new information was
presented in the new testimony.
o Motion by Mr. Smith to accept staff recommendation on strike outs. Mr. Shur
asked if new test holes were done. Mr. Poulson said only new parameters were
used in calculations, which results in new evidence. Seconded by Mr. Frankel
and passed 5:2.
• Exhibit G-211, Earthquake Hazard map, as previously included in G-205. Staff
recommended striking the map.
o Motion by Mr. Smith to include the Earthquake Hazard map in the record, as
previously included by the Commission. Seconded by Mr. Prichard and passed
7:0.
• Exhibit G-213—Testimony from Rutherford, et. al., dated May 14, 2018: Staff found
evidence outside the scope on tree removal impacts (Item 3 on page 1 of the exhibit)
and should be struck.
o Motion by Mr. Smith to agree with staff recommendation to remove testimony
on tree removal impacts (Item 3, page 1 of the exhibit). Seconded by Mr.
Frankel and passed 6:1.
Mr. Boone then asked the applicant whether they would like to delay the deliberation and
decision for final written argument.
Applicant
Mr. Ty Wyman , 851 SW 6th, #1500, Portland, OR 97204, Applicant’s attorney, testified that
he wished to keep the record open for a final argument. He stated that his client would like
to delay the deliberation and decision for submission of final written argument. He asked for
an extension to May 31, 2018 for delivery of a final written argument.
APPROVED
City of Lake Oswego Development Review Commission
Minutes of May 21, 2018 Page 4 of 7
Mr. Boone stated that staff would not respond to the final written argument. Applicant’s
document shall be due to the Commission no later than May 31, 2018 close of business,
and deliberations continued to June 4, 2018.
Motion by Mr. Ahrend to give the applicant until close of business May 31, 2018 to submit
final argument and continue Commission deliberations and decision until the Commission’s
June 4, 2018, 7:00 PM meeting. Seconded by Mr. Shur and passed 7:0
PUBLIC HEARING LU 18-0020 a request by Kimberly Ann Moyer Trust for approval of the
following Residential Infill Design (RID) variances and removal of three trees in order to construct a
new single-family dwelling:
• Reduce the required 25-foot front yard setback to 12.3 feet;
• Reduce the required 10-foot south side yard setback to 1.5 feet; and
• Increase the maximum permitted floor area from 5,058 square feet to 5,142 square feet.
The site is located at 1136 North Shore Rd. (21E10BB07600). Staff coordinator is Evan Fransted,
Associate Planner. This hearing was continued by request of the applicant from the May 7, 2018
Development Review Commission meeting. This is the first evidentiary hearing; public testimony
on all applicable criteria is permitted.
Mr. Boone gave an overview of the public hearing process then asked Commissioners to make
their declarations of ex-parte contact or conflicts of interest since the last meeting. None of the
Commissioners expressed any bias, ex-parte contact or conflicts of interest. Commissioner Ahrend
stated that he visited the site. Commissioner Shearer stated that he had done some work with the
applicant over 5 years ago, but was not biased on this case.
Staff Report
Planner Evan Fransted presented the staff report and recommendations. He stated that on the
previous Friday (May 18, 2018) the applicant submitted a revised site plan and written evidence
(Exhibits E-9 and E-10) that eliminated the need for the front yard setback and the maximum floor
area variances. Also added was a spiral staircase on the exterior of the garage and elimination of a
third bay of the garage.
Exhibits G-201 through G-204 were letters received in opposition to the front yard setback
variances. Mr. Fransted outlined the code that allows front yard setback averaging and noted that
the front yard setback variance was no longer needed, so the opposition was a moot issue. The
revised site plan now shows a 21-foot setback, which is permitted outright by front setback
averaging.
Staff concluded that the applicable code criteria were met and recommended approval of the
proposal with the revised site plan and written evidence. Stormwater management will need to be
provided, reviewed and approved as a condition of approval.
Tree removal of two Big Leaf maples (15” and 17” dbh) and a Douglas fir (53” dbh) is proposed for
the development. Exhibit F-8 is the City arborist’s report and states that there is no reasonable
alternative to removal of the one significant tree, the Douglas fir. A tree protection zone of 14 feet
was recommended for the fir tree, if retained. The arborist’s report also stated that the Big Leaf
maples were not significant trees and in poor condition and could be removed. The applicant
showed three dogwoods for mitigation on the original site plan (Exhibit E-3), but not on the revised
site plan. Ms. Numanoglu stated that actually four mitigation trees would be required per the code,
which was not currently in the staff report conditions of approval. A 2:1 mitigation ratio is required
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Minutes of May 21, 2018 Page 5 of 7
for the removal of a significant tree for development purposes. The conditions of approval should
be revised to require a total of four mitigation trees if the application is approved.
Questions of Staff
Commissioner Ahrend referred to Exhibit F-3, Arborist’s Report, and asked for clarification of the
tree locations for removal. He asked how far the new garage is from the tree location(s), since the
garage size is now reduced. Mr. Fransted and Mr. Ahrend opined that the location is about 9 to10
feet from the garage edge. Mr. Fransted referenced City arborist’s report (Exhibit F-8), which called
for 12-foot tree protection zones for the maples (if retained). Mr. Ahrend opined that the trees were
too close to the foundation and the tree protection zone cannot be met.
Chair Poulson asked about the turning movement into the garage and if a template was used to
measure the turning movement. Mr. Fransted said he did not and that the turning movement was
only one small factor in the review.
Mr. Ahrend asked about the second floor egress to the garage/art studio. Mr. Fransted reviewed
the site plan with the Commissioners indicating the location and functionality of the staircase.
Mr. Smith expressed confusion with the staff conclusion, specifically the use of the words “better
meet”. Mr. Fransted reiterated his conclusions citing the conformance with existing development
pattern. He opined that a side-loading garage was more compatible with the existing development
and the code than a front-loading one.
Applicant Testimony
Dana Krawczuk, applicant’s attorney, Stoel Rives, 760 SW Ninth Ave., Portland, stated that on
behalf of her client, she accepts the modified conditions of approval for the tree mitigation as
recommended by staff. She noted that full sized plans were available and provided to staff at the
hearing.
Ms. Krawczuk described the difficulty in designing the driveway and turnaround and encroachment
into the setback. She noted that the neighboring property owner is supportive of the encroachment
of the garage into the setback.
Tree issues were addressed by Ms. Krawczuk.
Kim Moyer, applicant, stated that she wanted to build a home that neighbors loved and would fit
into the neighborhood.
Dave Shott, Architect, described how he arrived at the house design.
Questions of the Applicant
Commissioner Frankel asked about shrubbery on the North Shore side. Ms. Krawczuk said that the
shrubbery is in the public right-of-way and not the applicant’s property. She stated that there will
still be landscaping with dogwood trees along that frontage, even if the street is someday widened.
Commissioner Prichard asked Ms. Krawczuk about the house being accessible when it cannot be
entered without stairs. She pointed out that it is accessible by a pathway to the kitchen entry. It is
not ADA compliant, but accessible for aging-in-place. Mr. Shott gave an overview of the
accessibility features of the house.
Commissioner Prichard asked if the garage level could have been dropped to a lower elevation.
Mr. Shott replied that it is as shown at the specified elevation to minimize the need for additional
grading.
APPROVED
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Minutes of May 21, 2018 Page 6 of 7
Chair Poulson asked Mr. Shott if he did a turning movement assessment. Mr. Shott said he did not,
but by just looking at the site you can see that there is a tight space for maneuvering a car. He
stated that the new garage doors are where the existing garage doors are located.
In response to a question, Mr. Shott explained the need for the spiral staircase for a legal means of
secondary egress from the studio over the garage.
Civil engineers Don Cushing, PE and Alan Schmitz, PE, Don Cushing Associates, responded to
questions by Chair Poulson on the sanitary and storm sewer systems proposed for the house,
given the basalt rock and slope on the site. Mr. Schmitz stated that the sanitary sewer will connect
to the existing sanitary laterals in the street. Pumping to the laterals will be necessary. For
stormwater, Mr. Schmitz said the design will include two flow through stormwater planters and be
discharged to the lake. Chair Poulson noted a high groundwater level in the stormwater report. Mr.
Schmitz said there would be a foundation drain and the elevation of the house is above the lake
level.
Commissioner Prichard asked about the necessity of grading so deeply near the garage. Mr. Shott
stated that the new plans still need further examination to determine landscaping and hardscaping
in relation to the new design. He also pointed out one of the mitigation trees will be located on the
site within an area on the northwest corner of the site, near the boathouse. He stated that the
percentage of landscaping has been calculated by the civil engineers. Ms. Numanoglu stated that
there was no minimum required percentage of landscaping in the code that applies to this type of
project.
Public Testimony
In Support:
Peter and Missy Bechen, 1128 North Shore, Lake Oswego, property owners to the south of the
site, testified that they are longtime residents of the area. Mr. Bechen expressed concern about the
maple trees in bad condition, which may fall on their property if not removed. They are both in
support of the project.
Neither in support nor opposition
None
In Opposition
None
Mr. Boone stated the applicant or others have the opportunity to continue the hearing for additional
evidence. No request for continuance by the applicant or others was heard.
Deliberations
Commissioner Ahrend agreed with the City arborist’s report on removal of all three trees. He
supports the new site plan and configuration of the house and garage. He supports the side yard
setback variance.
Commissioner Prichard stated he could support approval with an increase of the setback on the
south side to 2.5 feet, noting that there would be plenty of room for a turning radius. He said he
would like to see a drop in grade of about a foot to reduce the prominence of the garage and
increase the visibility of the house. Chair Poulson presented some scenarios where the turning
radius may not be adequate. Mr. Prichard reiterated he wanted to see at least a 2.5-foot setback
on the south side yard. He stated he did not have any problem with the tree removals. Mr. Ahrend
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Minutes of May 21, 2018 Page 7 of 7
said that there may be room for an additional setback, but he wishes to give the applicant
additional room for maneuvering and allowing the smaller setback.
Commissioner Shur said he liked the design of the house but would like to see more of a setback
on the side yard of the garage. Mr. Prichard agreed.
Commissioner Smith opined that the house is beautifully designed and he understands the site
limitations, but that the 1.5-foot setback is just too small. Minimum setbacks for property
maintenance are usually 5 feet. Mr. Prichard said that it could work with a larger setback.
Commissioner Shearer said he thinks the 1.5-foot setback is fine as it is for an existing structure.
Mr. Shearer is in support of the design and variances.
Chair Poulson said that future development of the adjacent property could be impacted by the
smaller setback. No turning radius template has been applied so the impact of turning on the site
into the garage is unknown at this time.
Commissioner Prichard disagreed with the staff findings on the RID compatibility criteria. Ms.
Numanoglu clarified that the cited criteria relate to a code-compliant design as a comparison.
Mr. Smith opined that having more of a setback would allow a visual corridor between buildings.
Ms. Numanoglu informed the Commission that Conditions A (1), A (6) and B (4) would need to be
revised to require submittal of the revised plans proposed by the applicant eliminating the third bay
of the garage and requiring four mitigation trees, if the application is approved.
Mr. Ahrend made a motion to approve LU 18-0020 with a revision to Condition A(1) substituting
the site plan in Exhibit E-9; a change to Condition A(6) four mitigation trees with locations to be
three trees in the southeast corner and one in the west end in the planter strip; and B(4) to reflect
four trees. Seconded by Chair Poulson and passed 4:3
Findings and conclusions are to come before the Commission on June 4, 2018 at 7:00 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Poulson adjourned the meeting at 9:46 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Hall
Administrative Support