Lake Oswego City Council Meeting - February 17, 2026

The Lake Oswego City Council met on February 17, 2026. The agenda included public comment on Lusher Farm, the unanimous passage of the consent calendar, the adoption of a home occupation code ordinance (4-1-1), and the unanimous referral of a $20.6 million bond for the South Shore Fire Station to the May 2026 ballot. A significant work session was held on the updated Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA), revealing a projected housing need of 4,850 units over 20 years, more than doubling the previous estimate. The meeting concluded with council reports and an executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously adopted (6-0), approving the minutes from November 18, December 2, and December 16 of 2025; Ordinance 2971; Resolutions 26-04, 26-07, and 26-11; and a public improvement contract for Work Order 355.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stephanie Halleck, President of the Board of Friends of Lusher Farm, expressed deep concern over the legal status of programs at Lusher Farm. She stated that the 100-plus acres are zoned exclusive farm use (EFU), rendering most Parks and Recreation activities illegal under state land use laws. Ms. Halleck reported that an official complaint was filed in 2022 and that the city is preparing a plan amendment for Clackamas County, warning that without it, all non-commercial agricultural activities must cease.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 2964 – Home Occupation Code Amendments

• Council enacted Ordinance 2964 and adopted findings for the home occupation code amendments. The motion passed 4-1-1 (Councilor Corrigan nay, Councilor Winland abstaining).

Resolution 26-08 – South Shore Fire Station Bond Referral

• Assistant Fire Chief Chris Artman presented the resolution to refer a $20.6 million bond measure to the May 19, 2026, ballot to replace the South Shore Fire Station.
• The council expressed unanimous and enthusiastic support.
• Mayor Buck praised the South Shore Fire Station Task Force, Councilor Corgan, and the community for thoroughly vetting the solution.
• Councilor Winland moved to adopt, noting former Councilor Jeff Goodman's approval after exhaustive review.
• Councilor Raff defended the project's cost, stating "progress has costs" and insisting the council manages taxpayer money tightly.
• Councilor Mboop tied the project to escalating wildfire risks driven by climate change and stated the campaign should aim for 90% voter approval.
• Councilor Corgan described the current station as a growing hole in the safety net and expressed confidence in the project.
• The resolution passed unanimously (6-0).

Study Session: Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Update

• Eric Olson, Long-Range Planning Manager, and Samuel Goldberg, DLCD Housing Policy Analyst, presented the new statewide housing methodology.
• The new methodology accounts for underproduction, homelessness, and second homes. Lake Oswego's projected 20-year housing need has more than doubled from ~1,968 units (2023 HNA) to ~4,850 units, with a front-loaded first-year target of 322 units.
• A controversial "inverse weighting" factor assigns higher housing targets to cities that have historically underproduced.
• Councilors held a starkly divided debate on the implications:
  • Councilor Afkin raised significant concerns about the feasibility of the targets, particularly the front-loaded requirements and specific AMI breakdowns.
  • Councilor Winland argued the "math doesn't work," pointing out the city's median income ($140,441) versus average household income ($27,000) and the lack of any clear funding path for the required low-income units without massive subsidies.
  • Councilor Raff strongly opposed the premise, stating, "Not everybody should be able to move to Lake Oswego. You should earn the right to live here by hard work and saving." He expressed concern that increasing supply would devalue existing homes and opposed the inverse weighting concept.
  • Councilor Mboop strongly disagreed, stating the city must face the reality that Oregon builds ~20,000 units per year but needs ~36,000. He emphasized the moral imperative to house essential workers (teachers, bus drivers) and argued the problem cannot be ignored.
  • Councilor Corgan questioned the state's broader strategy, including the lack of major UGB expansions or investment, making city-level goals seem unsupported.
• Staff explained the data is a dynamic dashboard updated yearly, the existing 2023 HNA (2,000 units) remains the legal basis until 2029, and the numbers guide planning rather than being rigid mandates.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar adopted (6-0).
• Ordinance 2964 (Home Occupation Code) adopted (4-1-1).
• Resolution 26-08 (South Shore Fire Station Bond Referral) adopted (6-0), placing a $20.6 million bond on the May 19, 2026 ballot.
• Received OHNA update; no formal action taken.
• Boards and commissions recruitment announced (applications Mar 1 – Apr 5; interviews Apr 27 – May 1).
• Council goal setting session scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 9:00 AM.
• Council recessed into executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(h) to consult with legal counsel regarding litigation, and subsection (f) to consider exempt records.