Hight Density Battle Continues to Heat Up!

To All COLA LO Members,

Once again  this week the LO review was flooded with citizen letters opposing the Wizer Development with several also supporting it.

Its a sign that the community is beginning to recognize that high density is a major issue that will impact the community.

Opponents of the project are indicating that the proponents are "out of towners"   hired to impact our community.   Good For LO? 

Articles can be found in:
City Planners Should Not Disregard
Don't Compare
Revised Proposal Better?


Is this just the beginning of a protracted battle within the community?   Many think so and are wondering how far it will go.

Will it impact the election of THREE new council members? Many believe it certainly will as the Fall approaches.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.

The Wizer Development High Density Battle Continues

To All COLA LO Members,

This past week several residents wrote letters in the LO Review expressing strong opinions about the proposed (revised) Wizer block development.   Many of them strongly opposed the development and criticized the primary proponents as not being "local".  

One such article can be found here:  Not Our Neighbors  and  another one can be found at:  High on High Density.  However a variety of views can be found at:  Letters .

Where is the project going at this point?   The DRC has to approve the project under its new proposed scope and the City Council would need to vote to approve or deny it once the DRC requirements are complete.  

Many are predicting that a Wizer Block vote will determine the outcome of the elections in November.  

At this time it appears only incumbent Jeff Gudman will be running form the current council.  Will the Wizer vote define the outcome for Councilor Gudman?    Many community leaders believe this may be a likely outcome.  

As the community debate continues it will be interesting to see how the political power players line up on both sides of the issue.  

With the recent news that several political consultants have been hired including Len Bergstein and Elaine Franklin,  many are trying to determine the logic behind being against streetcar but for the Wizer block development.  

Only time will tell but the debate is heating up on high density and this development proposal.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

What Will Metro's Population Forecast Do to Lake Oswego?

To All COLA LO Members,

 
This week the Oregonian published an article indicating that METRO forecasts Portland will grow by 750,000 people over the next 20 years nearly reaching the 3 million mark.    It is similar to an estimate made in the decade of 1990 when METRO estimated growth of 500,000.  

What many may have missed is Metro's emphasis on REDEVELOPMENT  to manage this growth over the next two decades.   That's right it translates into "high density" development given the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)  limitations.  

The article can be found at:   Big Growth = Higher density?

Many believe this forecast and the method now being used by METRO will make Lake Oswego a higher density community.   Those same residents now believe this will drive projects like the Wizer Block 137 and the eventual return of both Streetcar & Foothills to Lake Oswego.  

Is the writing on the wall? Its hard to believe this is required in a community with population growth of 0.3% per year over the last decade.   In fact it isn't required for Lake Oswego but the solution is really more about diluting our community character to accommodate growth in other cities within Portland.  

Will the forecast drive decisions that change our community?  Only time will tell....Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

$330 Million Budget Approved Unanimously By City Council

To All COLA LO Members,

This week the City council passed a $330 million budget and a 5 year capital plan that defines city spending over the next few years.   


Its the first time in a decade the council passed a budget on a unanimous vote.    COLA  Board member Dave Berg is quoted in a recent LO review article describing the details of the new budget.   


The article can be found at:   Council Approves .


Its a very complex budget but provides for a substantial increase in funding for streets and encourages citizen groups to participate in volunteer programs.   Details can be found at Council meeting.

Please notify all members, contacts,and friends.

County Elections Providing Insight Into Local Politics?

To All COLA LO Members,

The election results are in for several races in Clackamas County and the story they may be telling is very insightful. 

 It seems the electorate isn't pleased by negative campaigning and is returning all incumbents back to office in several positions.

Does this amount to a rejection of more conservative candidates or a rejection in tactics?  Many are now asking that question and projecting the impact of this election on both 2014 and 2016.  

The Oregonian is reporting that PAC funded challengers failed to unseat the incumbents this primary election. 

Details can be found at: Failed to Unseat 

These results represents an interesting about face compared to the 2012 county election.  Many are asking what this says about the leadership at the county and candidates immediately being elected for one position then running for another within a 1-2 years.  

It will be interesting to see how this impacts local elections in the fall of 2014.

Do voters want conservative candidates with a  positive message?  Only time will tell. but the outcome of this election and recent votes in Damascus clearly signal that voters aren't satisfied with some of the recent behaviors. Why? They were unwilling to unseat incumbents and by doing so rejected the expressed support of several newly elected officials in the county that openly asked for the removal of the incumbents.    

Election results can be found at:  Clackamas County Elections.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Is the City Council Considering Increasing Street Fees Like Portland?

To All COLA LO Members,

This past week Portland is increasing the rhetoric on its proposed street fee.    Many in LO are very aware of the degradation of roads as they enter Portland form Lake Oswego.    Its a common topic of discussion amongst residents.  

A recent WW article can be found here:  Portland Street Fee?

LO has had a street fee on utility bills for many years designed to improve road maintenance and funds are used for repaving streets.    The current council has established streets as a top priority and the administration has indicated this summer will see a dramatic increase in street projects throughout the city.  

Is the council considering increasing fees while the county also proposes a street related fee?  

Will LO residents have to pay double fees to both the city and the county?    Only time will tell but a ballot measure is being proposed by Clackamas County and will likely be seen in the Fall election.   An article on the topic can be found here:  Clackamas Road Fee.


Will residents support ever increasing fees (taxes)  while the cost of others services continue to escalate well beyond inflation?  Only time will tell.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Portland Voters May Approve a Water Board. Will Lake Oswego Follow?

To All COLA LO Members,

This past week several articles were published on the upcoming measure that would require an independent elected board to set water rates in Portland.    

The group sponsoring the measure states that Portland water rates are higher than Phoenix and implies its due to improper spending.    


The groups website can be found here: PPWD
Their latest radio ad can be found here:  Water Rates Radio Ad
Details can be found at Water Initiative

Lake Oswego water rates have just been slightly lower than Portland and many residents are up in arms over the high costs despite conservation measures.   Its particularly difficult for residents on fixed incomes.   Recently the City went to a monthly billing cycle and many believe its a means to collect revenues more swiftly to pay for projects.  

Will Lake Oswego residents start a similar campaign?   Only time will tell but its clear they aren't happy accepting massive rate increases over the past 5 years.   Its an issue that been simmering under the surface in our community and may be a force in the election this Fall.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.