Lake Oswego Planning Commission Meeting - September 14, 2026

The Lake Oswego Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, updates from neighborhood associations, and a public hearing on the 2026 semi-annual code amendments package, which was ultimately recommended to the City Council unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (July 27, 2026): Motion by Commissioner Bruce, second by Commissioner Guinea. The minutes were approved unanimously by roll call: Chair Najak (Aye), Vice Chair Bruce (Aye), Commissioner Guinea (Aye), Commissioner Call (Aye), Commissioner Sly (Aye), Commissioner Twing (Aye). Commissioner Albassan was absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received for items not on the agenda.
• For the public hearing on LU 26-0019, no members of the public signed up to testify.

Discussion Items

• Commission for Citizen Involvement Updates: Staff announced three upcoming neighborhood association events:

  • Forest Hills Neighborhood Association picnic on September 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM at Rossman Park (live music, ice cream, popcorn).
  • Uplands Neighborhood Association general meeting on October 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Lake Oswego Middle School Library (speakers on school bond and Firewise).
  • Waluga Neighborhood Association meeting on October 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church (board elections, schools update, library and community center).

• Public Hearing LU 26-0019 – 2026 Semi-Annual Code Amendments: Senior Planner Ellen Davis presented the amendment package, which includes 13 maintenance amendments and 3 policy amendments. Key items:

  • Maintenance Amendments: Items 1-12 (e.g., removing pandemic-era outdoor seating allowance, fixing eve depth conflict for townhouses, clarifying accessory structure entrance requirements, updating sensitive lands code, improving bicycle parking references, aligning with state parking minimum elimination, etc.). Item 13 (new) updates the tree code (Chapter 55) to reflect state law (HB 4037) limiting public notice for tree removal applications related to clear-and-objective housing.
  • Policy Amendment 1 (Middle Housing Land Divisions): Removes the neighborhood meeting requirement for middle housing land divisions that only divide ownership, since state law limits public notice and appeals. Combined applications with traditional subdivisions would still require a neighborhood meeting.
  • Policy Amendment 2 (Carport Enclosure): Allows existing non-conforming carports to be enclosed into garages via a minor variance instead of a major variance, with a 20% expansion limit or a maximum footprint of 450 square feet. This aims to streamline approvals for low-impact conversions.
  • Policy Amendment 3 (Detached Plexus): Interim compliance with HB 2138, effective January 1, 2027, allowing detached duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes on single residential lots while awaiting state administrative rules. The city will retain existing standards for attached units and will develop permanent siting/design standards later.

• Commissioner Guinea expressed interest in the detached plex amendment and noted the complexity of HB 2138, particularly regarding potential statutory bonus units that could require density/height increases. He suggested future study once state rules are clearer. Commissioner Call asked a clarifying question about tree code amendment notice procedures. Commissioner Guinea declared a potential conflict of interest regarding the carport amendment (family member may own a non-conforming carport), but after discussion it was noted that the amendment only applies to non-conforming carports; no further action was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Motion: Commissioner Guinea moved to approve the staff’s proposed code amendments as presented for recommendation to the City Council. Commissioner Bruce seconded. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote (all aye).
• Next Steps: The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for a public hearing in early November 2026. Findings will be presented at the Planning Commission’s next meeting on September 28, 2026. The effective date of the amendments is expected to be January 1, 2027, or as determined by the City Council.

Other Business

• Planning Manager Olson provided a brief update on the NCLO (Neighborhood Community Liaison Organization) annual meeting, which reviewed insurance requirements for neighborhood associations (notably, no alcohol allowed at meetings for insurance coverage).

Schedule Review

• The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for September 28, 2026, to review findings for the code amendments.