Lake Oswego Loses Appeal to Reduce Sensitive Lands Program

To All COLA LO Members,

This past week the city of LO lost its second challenge to the sensitive lands program.    After METRO rejected the overture that LO replace sensitive lands designations on private property with a designation on public properties, the city lost its appeal to LUBA.

In an appeal regarding a tree grove, Metro opposed the city's plans to remove the sensitive lands designation before LUBA.    Actively defending the designation for the tree grove METRO won the appeal.   

Details can be found in the Oregonian LUBA Rejects LO Sensitive Lands Appeal.  The final order can be found at LUBA Order to Lake Oswego.

Its a defeat for property rights in LO and also an example of the need for change not only in the program but also in the process used to rectify problems with the program. 

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.   

Zillow reports LO Home Values Up Dramatically!

To All COLA LO members,

Today Zillow  www.zillow.com provided insight into the LO Real Estate Market with its announcement of valuations year over year through June.     Lake Oswego values have increased dramatically in the past year according to actual sales.   

The details can be found at LO Home Values.   

Is the new direction of the city council making a positive impact on home values in the community?   Many wonder given the changes from last years election.   

Homeowners will be pleased with this report as valuations continue to increase in the community.

 Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.   

Local Resident Discusses Preserving "Community Character"

To All COLA LO Members,


This past week a local resident published an article regarding development projects and public hearings.    In the article the resident discusses frustrations with the public hearing process and also how new projects may substantially change the community.

The article provides for insightful reading into the potential pitfalls of the current planning and council approval process for major development projects.  The article provides advice to residents on how they should view the impact of these decisions and how the may be more effective in their efforts based on experience. 


The article:  Make it Count!  provides for very insightful reading.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

LO Author Discusses Sensitive Lands

To All COLA LO Members,

This past week a local author that lived in Lake Oswego published an article on how citizens feel about the sensitive lands program.  The program in its current form was passed on a 4-3 vote at the end of the Hoffman administration.   

Details on the article by Mark Ellis can be found at Harsh Environment and it provides for very interesting reading.     

It seems that the issue isn't going away and the 10% of LO residents with sensitive lands designation on their property aren't happy today.   That comes as no surprise to many within the community who are aware of the program and its impact on property rights.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Wizers to Become Massive Development with $5 million in Taxpayer Funds!

To All COLA LO members,

Last night the city council voted 6-0 to approve a development agreement to redevelop the Wizer block with $ 5million in taxpayer funds.   The development will support 228 apartment/condo units in the core of downtown LO.  

Its a $90 million project with $5 million in  city (LORA) support.    Residents were generally against the size of the development and concerned about its impact on the "village"  concept downtown.    Yet the council voted to support the development with millions in support.  

Details can be found at Massive Redevelopment of Wizer Block.

Does this decision represent a change in the focus of the city council?   Only time will tell but it certainly will change downtown Lake Oswego and have an impact on property values..   

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.    

Kehoe to Resign

To all COLA LO Members,

As we indicated in our post last month a major council announcement was in the making.    Its now official that Councilor Mike Kehoe is moving and will resign his position.  

COLA Board members were informed of the decision late last month.   It comes as a disappointment to all of the COLA board that Councilor Kehoe will need to resign.     As you all know COLA aggressively supported Councilor Kehoe in his election efforts in 2010 and he received a landslide victory in the election.  

Councilor Kehoe has had enormous support throughout the community these past three years.   His actions and positions have provided clarity during a difficult period within the city's history.   

Needless to say we wish him and his family well and will be very sorry to lose his expertise and sound judgment on the council. 

Some details can be found at Kehoe to resign.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Clackamas County Commissioners to Visit Lake Oswego

To All COLA LO members,

The Clackamas County Commissioners will hold a Town Hall forum in Lake Oswego.   The Town Hall will be held at the city council chambers on September 11th.    Many LO residents often wonder what the county does so its a good time for residents to ask questions.   

There are also quite a few members that live in the county just outside city limits.    It will be interesting to see the attendance at this event given the return of many families form the summer holidays.   

Details can be found at:   County Town Hall.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.