January 2016 Coordinating committee minutes
Post date: Jan 19, 2016 3:19:10 AM
FAN/Forest Hills Coordinating Committee Meeting
January 6, 2016
Library 2nd Floor Meeting Room
Committee Meeting Minutes
Committee members present: D. Condra, S. Gustafson, M. Meneghin, M. Monto, C. Ockert, D. O’Neil, D. Rudawitz.
Committee members absent: J. Boland, C. Clee, A. Harris, D. Hennesse, J. Hennesse, D. Lowe, G. Lowe, K. Ockert, J. Radich, L. Rudawitz.
Visitors: Nick McMurtrey, Chris Grubb, Jeff Wiens, and Kathleen Wiens.
Meeting called to order by Chair Carole Ockert at 6:30 pm.
Treasurer report: D. O’Neil reported the Association has a balance of $331.11, and noted we will need to pay the annual fees to the state. The Committee approved payment of the annual $20 dues for organizational membership in the Lake Oswego Neighborhood Action Coalition.
City Council Goals for 2016. The Chair reported that there will be a public roundtable discussion of City Goals on January 7 at 1500 Greentree Rd. On Saturday, January 9, the City Council will meet to discuss the Goals. At this meeting the public is invited to attend but not participate.
Planning Commission goals for 2016 were discussed at the last City Council meeting and the Council made plans to have a joint meeting with the Planning Commission Monday, January 11. Among the Commission goals is the issue of demolition notifications, which this Committee has advocated recently. The meeting will be broadcast and available online.
East End Redevelopment District Goal Session Review. Background: Around July of 2015, 35 – 40 people attended a public discussion of possible projects that could be undertaken with the remaining $22 million available within the East End (downtown) Redevelopment District. These include street improvements, public parking, and investment in existing buildings (e.g. façade grants). The Council will update the old plan and Chair Ockert received approval from the FAN Coordinating Committee to ask the City that we be included in future meetings and be part of the process. (FAN overlaps the area covered by the East End Redevelopment District.) We also want to reiterate our support for demolition notification, façade grants and our vested interest in a better parking plan, (FAN participated in the last Downtown Parking Task Force sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce).
It was reported that $1 million was set aside to redo D Avenue.
4th Street Townhomes. (6 townhomes on three lots between B and C Avenues, in the center of the block, across from the Post Office and Rossman Park). Chair Ockert reviewed the revised plans submitted December 23, 2015, which were displayed. There are four issues:
Issue 1 – The roof of the front pergola was extended. We felt the roof should be re-aligned with the adjacent roof over the covered outdoor area.
Issue 2 – Height restriction is violated in a small way in an area behind the chimney. We supported approval of a variance allowing this.
Issue 3 – City staff have noted that a courtyard may be required. It was clarified that a courtyard is not a public space. The Committee declined to comment on this issue.
Issue 4 – Street furniture. It was reported that the builder will install a bike rack, bench and trash can. Hanging basket brackets will be installed on light standards – if there are any light poles on the site.
In December 2015 the Coordinating Committee supported the Chair’s request to comment about the 4th Street townhomes on behalf of the neighborhood association at the upcoming Design Review Committee meeting. This meeting is scheduled for February 1st. The Committee supported clarifying at the DRC meeting that the rear rooms above the garages cannot be used as secondary dwelling units as these are not allowed in this zone. The Committee is concerned that the design and equipment proposed for this room suggests that it is the developer’s intent to build a unit that would violate code.
Trees. S. Gustafson reported that the large maple on 6th was removed by Everett Custom Homes under a hazard permit after a City contract arborist noted rot. Because this tree was used as a nesting site for owls, removal may have violated the 1918 Migratory Bird Act but this would have had to be enforced by Federal agents.
Everett Custom Homes has applied to remove two Douglas Firs at 876 9th Street. Comments are due January 13th.
FAN Annual Meeting. Last year we had a grant to support the meeting and this year we do not. It would be free for us to hold it at the Adult Community Center. For a topic we may want to focus on surface water management. It’s required that we elect officers. The date is not yet set.
Other Items. Visitors Jeff and Kathleen Wiens talked about their problems with surface water management during recent heavy rains. Visitor Chris Grubb, who is a civil engineer, said the city is asking for proposals for redoing D Avenue and wanted input from the group. Comments focused on surface water management and it was noted that the FAN neighborhood plan proscribes narrow country-lane style streets with only a few blocks designated to have curbs or sidewalks.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.