The Mouse That Roared

ROAR!

The Development Review Commission deliberated the case of the Wizer Block development last night, but lo and behold, the night concluded with NO decision - no approval OR denial of the project.

Just before the end -- while the Commission was winding down its deliberations and summing things up -- just before the final gavel fell -- the Applicant asked for a continuance.  By that time it was clear that the project would be denied - there were just too many design problems that couldn't be fixed.  Christe White, attorney for the Evergreen Group, told the Commission that they would like a continuance to revisit the proposal rather than "blunder ahead to the city council and hope for the best".   They clearly got the message of the unanimous dislike of the 5th floor and massing.  The DRC approved their request, which opens up the hearing to new testimony when a new design is submitted.  The Applicant has also waived their right to a 120-day approval process so they can continue the process. 

  No doubt the DRC would have come to many of its conclusions without the aid of either side last night - most of the issues were glaringly obvious from the start.  

• The buildings are too massive.  Over and over, the word "mass" came up to describe how this project design clashes with the Lake Oswego "village character" concept.  The size and scale and sheer mass of the complex was the main issue for the opponents and even some proponents - there was just no getting around its dominance in the downtown.
• The project did not meet the criteria for the "Lake Oswego Style" though Building A came closer than B or C.  The designs were too flat, too modern - the massing kept hanging them up.
• The project did not complement the surrounding buildings.  
• The alley (central walkway) was too narrow.
• The buildings needed to be broken up.  Currently they look like a solid line along the street.  If the buildings are broken up, perhaps the alley would be larger also.
• Does not meet the intent of the East End Redevelopment Plan for a compact shopping district.
• No 5th story.  
• Negative impacts on the neighbors and traffic issues. 

It will be interesting to see what the development group does now.  They have the opportunity to make this a dynamite project that fits the city and its location.  Issue - will the owners put design and function ahead of maximizing rental floor space, or will they try to max out on volume at the expense of design and compatibility?  

A winning project first wins the hearts of the citizens. 

From The Oregonian:  

Lake Oswego Development Review Commission issues Wizer block continuance after appearing ready to vote down proposal

Opponents contended that the apartments would be overpowering next to the shorter buildings in the area. They also saw the project as unfit for the village feel they hoped to preserve in downtown, a point on which the commissioners agreed.

The commissioners shared a number of criticisms to the design and styles of the buildings. Some of their most vocal sticking points included the plan to build a fifth floor in the apartments and a concern that the project included far too little retail space for a block in the center of downtown.