Lake Oswego Planning Commission Meeting - July 27, 2026
Lake Oswego Planning Commission Meeting - July 27, 2026
The Lake Oswego Planning Commission met virtually on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The main agenda item was a staff update on the city's approach to comply with House Bill 2138 (2025) regarding middle housing requirements, including changes to cottage clusters, detached plexes, and related process changes.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (July 13, 2026): The commission unanimously approved the prior meeting minutes as written. Commissioner Twing was present but not able to participate in the vote due to a technical issue with audio.
City Council Update
- Councilor Verdick reported that the council conducted interviews for the city manager position and held a study session on e-bike code updates to align with state law. The council also reviewed the tree code update. The council encouraged participation in National Night Out on August 4, 2026.
Discussion Items
- Housing Needs and Production Update (PP 22-0005): Staff Coordinator Eric Olson provided a detailed update on state House Bill 2138 requirements. Key points included:
- Detached Plexes: By January 1, 2027, the city must allow duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes in detached configurations (not just attached). The city proposes to adopt these changes as part of the annual code amendments scheduled for a hearing on September 14, 2026.
- Cottage Clusters: By January 1, 2028, the city must allow attached units within cottage clusters, increase flexibility, and revise size limitations. The city will incorporate rulemaking details into the upcoming code audit project.
- Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs): HB 2138 retroactively voids private restrictions that unreasonably limit middle housing or ADUs, unlocking potential for infill development.
- Middle Housing Land Divisions: The bill clarifies requirements for separating units into individual lots; the city will likely continue referencing state statute.
- Expedited Land Divisions: Local governments cannot hold hearings or allow third-party opposition for expedited land divisions; only applicants may appeal.
- Affordable/Accessible Bonus: Developers can gain bonus units (up to 2 for quadplexes/cottage clusters) if they include units affordable at 120% AMI or accessible (NCA standard). The city proposes implementing the state statute directly.
- Commissioners asked about local discretion, project feasibility, and funding. Director Namonalu noted the state trend of reducing local zoning authority and that infrastructure funding is insufficient. Commissioner Guinea noted potential design opportunities to maintain neighborhood character.
Key Outcomes
- No votes were taken on the housing update; it was a work session for information and discussion.
- Tree Code Adoption: Staff announced that the City Council adopted the planning commission's recommended tree code amendments on July 21, 2026. Findings are scheduled for adoption September 1, 2026, with an effective date in early October 2026.
- Schedule: The next regular meeting is September 14, 2026 (Monday), featuring a public hearing on annual code amendments. The commission will recess in August and have multiple meetings in fall 2026 (rezoning, code audit, foothills).
- Public Comment: None was received for items not on the agenda or for the housing update.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, I think we're ready to go ahead and start the meeting. Great. Thank you very much. All right. Bang my virtual gavel calling to order the meeting of the Lake Oswego Planning Commission for Monday, July 27th, 2026 at 6 30 p.m. hosting this meeting virtually today. Michelle, can you or Christina please call roll? Not sure who's in charge of that. Chair Najak. Here. Vice Chair Bruce. Here. Commissioner Avishan. Commissioner Guinea. Here. Commissioner Call. Here. Commissioner Sly. Here. Commissioner Twing. Commissioner Twing. Okay, we see him on the screen. So Councilor Verdick. Here. Thank you very much. Speaking of counselor verdict, next up, we have item number three, City Council update. Counselor Verdick, do you have anything to share with us? I think we were in the process of doing interviews for the city manager. So that's been taking up. We've been most of last week. Last week at our meeting, we had an update on e-bikes and how the city could maybe what our code should look like around e-bikes, make sure that our code also is in line with what the state has. So that was a big uh study session that we had. And then we also had um the tree code. So and I think you're all familiar with that. So uh nice job, uh Director Namonalu for that. I think those are the key items. And then we do have neighborhood night out next uh Tuesday. So I hope you guys are joining your neighborhoods for that. Great, thank you very much. Next on our agenda is item number four, approval of the prior meeting minutes from July 13th, 2026. Open the floor to any uh additions or changes or motion to approve. I would like to make a motion to approve the minutes as written. Thank you. Do I hear a second? I'll second that. Thank you very much. All in favor to move to approve the meeting minutes for July 13th, 2026 as written, please say aye. All right. Aye. Aye.
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