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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2026-02-19 PM 503-635-0290 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO Development Review Commission Minutes February 19, 2026 The Commissioners convened at 7:02 PM. Members Present: Chair Larry Linstrom, Vice Chair Yuko Mino, Dwight Sangrey, Helen Leek, and Meetal Salunkhe Members Absent: John Dewes, Kristen Bates, and Ali Afghan, City Council Liaison Staff Present: Johanna Hastay, Planning Manager; Souvanny Miller, Consulting Attorney; Will Farley, Assistant City Engineer, Evan Fransted, Senior Planner, Courtney Simms, Associate Planner; and Kat Kluge, Administrative Assistant Chair Linstrom asked if there were any changes to the agenda. There were no replies. MINUTES February 2, 2026: There were no revisions noted. Commissioner Leek moved to approve the Minutes of February 2, 2026, as written. Seconded by Commissioner Sangrey and passed 4:0, with 1 recusal. PUBLIC HEARINGS LU 25-0019: A request for approval of a 11-lot subdivision with a Planned Development Overlay, a Modification of an approved Development Review Permit (LU 05-0076), and removal of 27 trees for construction of public improvements. Th is hearing was continued from January 22, 2026 to allow the submission of additional written evidence or testimony only. This site is located at 17979 SW Stafford Rd. (Tax Reference 21E16D01000). The Staff Coordinator was Evan Fransted, AICP, Senior Planner. Chair Linstrom formally opened the Public Hearing. Staff Report Evan Fransted, Senior Planner, summarized the evidence received since the last hearing; adding Exhibits F-018, G-001, and G-002 to the record. Development Review Commission Minutes February 19, 2026 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Fransted indicated that the concerns raised in the new testimony were addressed during the original hearing. Staff affirmed their recommendation to approve the application, with the revised Conditions of Approval (CoAs) noted in the Staff Memo from January 22, 2026. Questions of Staff Commissioner Sangrey asked when staff last spoke with Clackamas County about this project . Will Farley, Assistant City Engineer, replied that he last corresponded with Clackamas County on December 2, 2025. Johanna Hastay, Planning Manager, added that Clackamas County was also provided with the new written testimony and the Applicant's Rebuttal. Chair Linstrom invited Souvanny Miller, Consulting Attorney, to share her opening statements. Ms. Miller asked members to provide updated declarations since the last hearing. There were no changes from members’ previous declarations. There were no challenges to the Commissioners’ rights to consider the application. Chair Linstrom closed the public hearing and directed members to proceed with deliberations. Deliberations Commissioner Leek opined that trying to stave off traffic complications ahead of the curve, in this growing area, was a more important idea than trying to address it after-the-fact. She added that she agreed with the proposal that the site egress should allow for a right turn only. Ms. Hastay reminded members that the Applicant would need to be granted time to respond to any additional CoA imposed during the motion. Commissioner Leek moved to approve LU 25-0019, as conditioned by staff in the Staff Report and in the January 22nd Staff Memo, but with the additional CoA to allow only a right-hand turn coming out of the subdivision onto Stafford Road . Seconded by Chair Linstrom. Patrick Espinosa, Applicant's Representative, acknowledged that he understood the Commissioners' and residents' concerns; countering that he had concerns that they would not be able to get that traffic control measure approved by Clackamas County, since there was no substantiating evidence to warrant it. Commissioner Leek asked staff if that might be something that Clackamas County would object to. Mr. Farley replied that, based on the record (a left-turn entrance refuge was already included), the County would most likely not support this restriction, as it would require additional control measures (e.g., median and lane dividers). Commissioner Leek indicated that she was not aware of the traffic flow measures already planned and that she would withdraw the inclusion of the additional CoA for a right-turn only for site egress from her motion. Commissioner Leek moved to approve LU 25-0019, as conditioned in the Staff Report and as modified in the January 22nd Staff Memo. Seconded by Commissioner Sangrey and passed 4:0, Development Review Commission Minutes February 19, 2026 Page 3 of 5 with 1 recusal. Ms. Miller instructed staff to return the Written Findings, Conclusion, and Order on March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM. ************************ LU 26-0001: A request for approval of a Major Variance to the garage location standards in order to construct a front-loading carport on an existing nonconforming dwelling. No tree removal is proposed. This site is located at 2626 Park Rd. (Tax Reference 21E17AA01400). The Staff Coordinator was Courtney Simms, AICP, Associate Planner. Chair Linstrom formally opened the Public Hearing. Ms. Miller provided an overview of the public hearing process and of the applicable criteria and procedures. DRC members were asked to declare any ex parte contacts (including site visits), biases, or financial conflicts of interest. All DRC members declared that they had not made a site visit, but many were familiar with the location, and that they had no ex parte contacts, conflicts of interest, and no bias. There were no challenges to the Commissioners’ rights to consider the application. Staff Report Courtney Simms, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. The site is in the Palisades Neighborhood Association, is zoned R-10, and was built in 1962. There is an existing nonconforming front-loading one-car carport on the site. The Applicant's proposal would expand this to a two-car carport, in the same general location. The City's Garage Location and Appearance Standards generally prohibit front-loading carports to be located in front of habitable space. The proposed carport meets all applicable setbacks and other dimensional standards, except for being located in front of the dwelling. Major Variance Criteria (LOC 50.08.004): • Unnecessary Hardship - past variance approvals and long-standing interpretation by the City, holds that a two-car garage or carport is a reasonable expectation for a single family dwelling. The extreme site topography and current layout speak to the physical circumstances of the site (the alternatives encroaches into either the front yard or side yard setbacks). The hardship was not self-created given the year of construction and standards at the time. Staff finds that this criterion is met. • Not Injurious to the Neighborhood - this type of carport is quite common in the neighborhood. The carport is disguised partially as a 2nd-story deck. The only public comment received is in support of the application. Staff finds that this criterion is met. Development Review Commission Minutes February 19, 2026 Page 4 of 5 • Minimum Variance Necessary - the proposed design is typical to carport dimensions (24'- deep and 20'-wide). It complies fully with all dimensional and design standards, except for the location. Staff finds that this criterion is met. Staff recommends approval of LU 26-0001. Questions of Staff None Chair Linstrom invited the Applicant forward and explained their testimony time limits and the lighted timing system. Ms. Miller gave instructions for any public verbal testimony provided. Applicant Testimony Paul Soper, Homeowner, Applicant, and Architect, shared details about the history of the home’s construction, the angle of the footprint, the steep sloping topography, and the design of the proposed expanded carport. Questions of Applicant None Public Testimony None Ms. Miller asked if anyone wished to hold the record open for further submissions from the public. No requests were heard. Ms. Miller then asked the Applicant if they wished to submit a final written argument. Mr. Soper waived this submission. Chair Linstrom closed the public hearing and directed members into deliberations. Deliberations Vice Chair Mino opined that, given the site constraints, the addition of the carport square footage under the deck was an intelligent placement and was the best practical option. She indicated that she would vote to approve the application. Commissioner Sangrey stated that he appreciated staff's thorough and critical review of the project against the Major Variance criteria; adding that he was prepared to support the proposal. Commissioner Leek said that the project was well done. Development Review Commission Minutes February 19, 2026 Page 5 of 5 Commissioner Salunkhe agreed with the other members’ comments and relayed that she had no concerns. Commissioner Sangrey moved to approve LU 26-0001, as recommended by staff. Seconded by Commissioner Leek and passed 5:0. Ms. Miller instructed staff to return the Written Findings, Conclusion, and Order on March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM. SCHEDULE REVIEW AND MANAGEMENT UPDATE Ms. Hastay noted that, going forward, certain procedural steps may be skipped (determined on a case-by-case basis), then updated DRC members on upcoming meetings: March 2, 2026 has the Findings from tonight’s hearings and an application for the DR and CUP modification permit for the new Forest Hills Elementary School. March 16, 2026 may have the Findings and Minutes from the March 2, 2026 meeting. April 13, 2026 has a joint meeting with the Planning Commission to review of the draft Tree Code Amendments. Commissioner Leek asked when Councilor Afghan would be providing his updates . Ms. Hastay replied that he would be attending the first hearing of the month unless there was a longer gap between hearings, in which case, he may attend the hearing scheduled during the second DRC meeting of each month. ADJOURNMENT Chair Linstrom thanked City staff and DRC members for their time, then adjourned the meeting at 7:44 PM. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Kat Kluge, Administrative Support