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.
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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.

City Council Gives Planning Commission Another Shot at the WEB

To All COLA LO Members,

Last night the City Council in a 7-0  vote remanded the zoning change proposal for the WEB building back to the Planning Commission.    It gives the potential buyers a chance to provide additional information on their plans for the property.   A hearing is scheduled now for March 10th before the Planning Commission.  
WEB Redux

Its an interesting decision outside of normal protocol.    Normally at this point after the planning commission has made a decision against the rezoning of the property the council would vote.    However it appears the potential buyers would like to disclose more about their plans and gain more community input.  

It will be interesting to see if this resolves some of the concern in the community over zoning the property general commercial.    Several Neighborhood Associations oppose the rezoning proposal and have commented on their concerns regarding a general commercial designation for the property.  

It will be interesting to see how the planning commission receives the additional details on the project and if that will influence the council on the potential sale of the property.    it appears the planning commission and the council are at odds on the need to sell the property.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Preservation Society Will Challenge City Council?

To All COLA LO Members,

This past week the preservation society filed a challenge the City Council's 4-3 decision to allow for the demolition of Carman house.    Its an interesting position given that the council was split on removing the historic landmark designation and allow for development.  

See Society Appeals

This challenge to the council comes at the same time many in the community are irate about the proposed development of the Wizer block.    Many members and community leaders are asking if this council is pro high density development?   Big Crowd   

Only time will tell as theses issues play out but the community is asking itself if it missed something in the 2012 election?    This was supposed to be a council that preserved our "community character" and was opposed to high density development and streetcar projects.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

The Protests Against High Density Development Have Begun!

To All COLA LO Members,

This week protesters took to the streets in Lake Oswego opposing the current administration's support for the High Density URD financed development on the Wizer Block.   COLA members have noticed the emergence of anti high density lawn signs throughout the city.  


Details can be found in a recent Oregonian Article  Wizer Protests Begin and at the same time a long term community activists group is now opposing the project Time to Reimagine?

It seems the opposition is organizing and letters to the editor against the project seem to be growing and possibly overwhelming supporters. 

Will the council take action or will it continue to fund the development with $6 million in taxpayer funds?   Many in the community are asking this very question.  


Does this Council support the high density vision of the Hoffman administration or is it just being cajoled into a project it does not understand?   Time will tell.


Please notify all members contacts and friends.  

Would State Ballot Measure Limit Lake Oswego Fee & Water Rate Increases?

To All COLA LO Members,

This week the Tax Payers Association of Oregon announced it was evaluating an ballot initiative to require a public vote for all tax and fee increases at the local level.    

Its an interesting concept that seems to have some appeal state wide.  

Given the community concern over fee increases and water rate increases would this type of ballot initiative appeal to LO voters?    Could it actually limit rate and fee increases in Lake Oswego?  

Details can be found at Limit Local Tax and Fee Increases?

This would certainly have an impact on both city revenue and also the cost of living in Lake Oswego.  

Many residents on fixed incomes and those that have seen their income reduced by the recession have a concern about the fixed costs of living in Lake Oswego.   This has been mentioned to a number of COLA board members in emails, calls, and in person.  

It will be interesting to see how far this concept goes in terms of any ballot initiative.  

Please notify all members, contacts and friends.