Citizen Says TSP - Transportation System Plan Designed to Change Our Community Character?

To All COLA LO Members,

This week a citizen published an article in the LO review questioning the TSP and its assumptions.   Its an insightful analysis on some of the issues and the potential impact it may have on the community.  

Details can be found in Slow Down.


COLA board members have received many comments and complaints about the TSP and its conclusions.  A local blogger has identified some of the complaints we have received.

The blog post can be found at Oh TSP........

Its clear that the TSP isn't focused on the core issue may residents complain about which is the maintenance of existing roads in our community and how to fund them.    At least that is what we have heard from several members.

Last night the Planning Commission asked staff to inform the Neighborhood Associations of the TSP and ask for feedback from citizens.    The planning Commission will take up the issue of the TSP again in May.   Its very clear citizens are questioning the emphasis of this TSP given the challenges facing LO with slow population growth and road conditions.

 It will be interesting to see comments from the citizens over the next two months as more information is distributed to the community.

The full TSP and details can be found here TSP Site.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

COLA LO Members Strongly Oppose the "Unruly Ordinance" And Communicate it to the Council

To All COLA LO members,

This past month COLA LO members including the board vehemently opposed the "unruly gathering" ordinance brought to council for consideration.     This was an ordinance that originally proposed to violate the civil rights of our citizens and included the confiscation of private property.  

It was deeply disturbing to members and the board that the city council would even consider such an ordinance after it was strongly opposed and shelved by the Clackamas County Commission.   COLA board members lobbied the commission and personally spoke to commissioners during their review.  

Its clear such an ordinance not only would violate our civil rights but would also lend itself to abuse and "arbitrary and capricious" enforcement within the city.     The original rule designated that a gathering of only FIVE people could constitute an "unruly gathering".    

Given that the ordinance was shelved and strongly opposed by groups at the county level, why did this ordinance ever see the light of day in Lake Oswego?

That's something many citizens are now asking themselves and questioning the leadership.


An article in the LO review summarizes recent events.   Unruly Gathering Ordinance Opposed. A follow up article in the Oregonian provides some interesting perspective, especially in the comments by readers Out of Control  A special thanks to those members that stood up to this effort and opposed such misdirection within our community.

The 2014 election will provide additional opportunity to voice your position.

Please notify all members, contacts and friends.   

Why is the Community Concerned About Public Input?

To All COLA LO Members,

Last week a citizen published an article in the review regarding concerns over the public process.   The article mirrored several rumors going around in the community that the current administration is re-considering the level of public input it receives.

The article can be found here:  Allows us to have our say.

Several board members have spoken to administration officials who are denying these rumors.  They claim that if anything the city will be expanding public input on key issues.

COLA board members are not sure what is behind the concerns about public input and participation but we have heard it from a wide group of citizens.  

It may just be a perception or comments made by officials.

Lets see what actions the administration takes in the future.    Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.

Is the City Seriously Considering Pulling Out of Tri Met?

To ALL COLA LO Members,

As reported in this blog LO is listening to those that would like the city to pull out of Tr-Met and start its own bus service.    While some citizens oppose the move it appears the opposition isn't as large as expected.  

For years citizens have complained about very limited bus service on the west side of Lake Oswego which includes the economic engine of the Kruse Way corridor and the WEB.   The new development occurring in this area and Lake Grove is only going to increase traffic and movement in the area.  

Last week the council heard a presentation on the option to remove the city form Tri-Met Withdrawing Not a Fantasy.   At the same time this week a community leader urges not to withdraw but continue to advocate for more service which has been done for over a decade:

‘City council should be an advocate with TriMet’

According to its representatives, TriMet serves 300,000 riders a day in its transportation system. TriMet picks up or drops off in Lake Oswego more than 500,000 riders a year.

Seceding from TriMet would hurt seniors, employees, the disabled and others who depend on public transportation. Lake Oswego is not an island to itself in the metropolitan area. The Lake Oswego City Council should be an advocate with TriMet for improved transit service from downtown Portland to the Kruse Way corridor to serve the approximately 6,000 employees who work here.
Rob LeChevallier
Lake Oswego 

Its clear that like the issue of high density there are widely different views on the issue.   Yet High Density development and mass transit are interconnected in the regional strategy of Metro.   TOD- Transit Oriented Development as a primary objective of Metro can be found here Transit Oriented Development.

So many in the community area asking themselves if the "streetcar isn't dead"  when they see leaders often advocating for high density and less control over our transit options.

 Last year COLA board member Gary Gipson clearly linked the wizer development with this issue in his article Will the Streetcar Follow?

Its the first time the linkage was made public.   It will be interesting to see how the issue of high density development and TriMet participation evolves as more citizens recognise the pattern and their options.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Lake Oswego Isnt the Safest City in Clackamas County or Southwest Portland?

To All COLA LO Members,

In a startling revelation the Oregonian is reporting that LO isn't the safest city in the county.  It isn't even in the top three of the safest cities.  

While Lake Oswego makes the top 5 does this reflect the investment we make in public safety?

Its a real surprise to many in the community that believe LO makes additional efforts to ensure our city is safe and crime free compared to other areas.

The article can be found at West Linn Tops the List.

Its another surprising change in regional trends.   Our median income has fallen to fourth in the county and now safety has fallen?  When the Oregonian tried to stir up comments it received little debate on the list in another article:   Safe Cities Right?

It seems the article is confirming what many in the communities already know about their city.   That may be fair comfort for many.
.
Pleas notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

DRC To Say NO to Wizers?

To All COLA LO Members,

In a potential defeat the Development Review Commission was about to say no to the proposed development of the Wizer's block.  It appears they are now granting a continuance for the developers to revise their plans.  Many in the community believe and modifications will not be sufficient because of the destiny of the project and its size.  Here are the latest details  Wizers Continuance?    


As more community groups oppose the project because of its size and "High Density"  others who are supporters of streetcar, foothills, and urbanizing Lake Oswego continue to provide articles supporting Wizers.

 The most recent one is by former city councilor Roger Hennagin    Legally The City Cant Deny.

At the same time the developer of Millennium Plaza came out against the project in a recent article :Design A Project That Fits.   That may have surprised many in the community as this project is often touted as adding value to the community and the urban renewal district.  

Its clear there is a strong ideological divide in the community.    Many are wondering how the City Council will vote once the project comes back to them for a final approval.  

It will be interesting to see how the project proceeds with such active opposition by the community and a council that was elected on a platform opposed to streetcar and high density development.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.

Councilor Jeff Gudman in Trouble?

To All COAL LO Members,

This week the gloves are beginning to come off in public.    In a letter to the LO review a citizen calls out Councilor Jeff Gudman for his support of the high density Wizer project.    The article can be found at: Monstrous Apartment  and clearly challenges the councilor.

In the article the citizen states:  

"One of your elected officials, Jeff Gudman, is up for re-election this November. This is disturbing, as after looking into his background, we see him chronically backing high-density village plans"

and......

"Re-election is coming up for Mr. Gudman, and I feel that if he does not start to show a change in priority concerning your opinions and the welfare of your city, rather than in his own vendetta, I would suggest you support other candidates to represent you. That is to say, if Mr. Gudman, or any councilor, continues to ignore the citizen’s voices, and decides to support the Wizer project in appeal, perhaps it would be time to elect new faces. Hold your officials accountable to your citizens’ overwhelming voice in opposition to this destiny with disaster."

Its clear that this citizen is mirroring many of the comments heard by COLA members over the past year and what seems to be a growing dissatisfaction with elected officials that claim to be "conservative"  but do not vote accordingly.     

Could 2014 bring another defeat of a sitting city councilor?   Only time will tell but it appears to many councilor Gudman is in trouble.