Lake Oswego Planning Commission Meeting – July 28, 2025: Fair Housing and Tree Code Updates

The Lake Oswego Planning Commission convened on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. for a regular meeting. The agenda included approval of minutes, community announcements, two work sessions (fair housing policy and tree regulation amendments), and appointments to advisory committees.

Approval of Minutes

• The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the June 9, 2025, meeting (motion made, seconded by Deanna) and the June 23, 2025, meeting (motion and second). No revisions were requested.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comment.

General Updates

• Chair Michel announced three National Night Out events scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, 2025:
  • Palisades Neighborhood Association: Potluck/barbecue evening.
  • Old Town Neighborhood Association: 5–8 p.m. at George Rogers Park picnic shelter; potluck with pizza donation, firefighters and police visit.
  • North Shore Country Club District Neighborhood Association: Get-together to meet new board members.

Fair Housing Policy and Education (Work Session – LU25-001)

• Eric Olson, Long-Range Planning Manager, presented the third work session on the fair housing policy and education strategy (part of the Housing Production Strategy). The proposal adds a single policy to the Complete Neighborhoods and Housing chapter of the Comprehensive Plan to codify the city’s commitment to affirmatively further fair housing.
• A commissioner questioned whether the phrase "overcoming disparities in access to community amenities" specifically referred to lake access. Olson clarified it broadly covers schools, parks, services, transit, and other amenities.
• Another commissioner expressed concern that the term "protected classes" might be too narrow and suggested separating "enhancing housing choice" from the protected classes language to avoid limiting the policy. Staff agreed to revise the wording and will bring the amendments to a public hearing on September 8, 2025.

Tree Regulation Amendments (Work Session – PP 24-0006)

• Jessica Nontalu, Community Development Director, introduced the first work session on updating city tree regulations (Tree Code Chapter 55 and Community Development Code Chapter 50) to align with urban forestry best practices, climate resilience, and state law (House Bill 2138 requiring clear and objective standards for housing).
• Key issues identified:
  • Creating clear and objective standards for housing.
  • Ensuring consistent tree permitting between development and non-development removals.
  • Creating incentives for tree preservation (e.g., setback reductions).
  • Establishing soil volume standards for street trees and parking lots.
  • Creating canopy standards for commercial and industrial zones.
  • Requiring mitigation (replacement) trees for more removal types.
  • Evaluating wildfire-safe landscaping.
  • Requiring large-stature mitigation trees where possible.
• Statistics from the 2022 State of the Urban Forest Report: Lake Oswego has over 53% tree canopy cover (highest among comparable regional cities); only 20% of canopy is on city property, 80% on private land. Over the last five years, 32% of tree removal permits were for dead or hazard trees, while 16% were for development.
• An ad hoc Tree Task Force of 12 members, appointed by the City Council in June 2025, will provide feedback throughout the project.
• Commissioners discussed concerns about managing hazardous trees on private property where neighbors fail to act. Nontalu confirmed this issue will be addressed in the update.
• The project schedule includes public outreach and stakeholder interviews in summer 2025, with draft code concepts to be brought back to the commission in early fall 2025. No decisions were made.

Other Business

• Eric Olson solicited volunteers for two advisory bodies:
  • Foothills Community Advisory Committee (CAC): A two-year term (September 2025 – June 2027) to guide the Foothills Framework Plan update. One non-voting seat is reserved for a planning commissioner. Commissioner Sly volunteered.
  • Neighborhood Coalition of Lake Oswego (NCLO): A low-commitment annual meeting to oversee neighborhood association insurance. Commissioner Bruce volunteered.
• Olson also suggested the possibility of involving youth members (under 18) on the Foothills CAC.

Schedule Review

• The next regular meeting is August 11, 2025, with a work session on the Housing Production Strategy code audit and public involvement strategy.
• The fair housing public hearing is scheduled for September 8, 2025 (remote meeting).
• The tree code amendment work sessions will continue, with the next commission session early fall.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes from June 9 and June 23, 2025, approved.
• Staff directed to refine fair housing policy language and schedule a public hearing for September 8, 2025.
• Planning commission representatives appointed: Commissioner Bruce to NCLO; Commissioner Sly to Foothills CAC.
• Tree regulation amendments introduced; no actions taken, further work sessions planned.