Following what rules?

Silver Oak Custom Homes

Price: To be determined
Neighborhood: Hallinan
Home Type: Craftsman
1287 Bickner Street, Lake Oswego
2650 sq. ft.
4 bedrooms
3.1 baths

Master on main. Walking distance to grade school and park. This home will be under construction starting in August 2014.
View Flyer (PDF) 

Google the address above to see where this house will go.  Then look left to see Bickner St., the single lane access road that the developer/owner is being allowed to use for their 16-lot subdivision, the same size as the "country lane" driveway into their new block of homes.  All this from a substandard-sized cul-de-sac, no road widening or other improvements needed.  Without knowing the legalities of the permits, it seems like more should be done to improve the site, and a development review process should have been required.  According to the Builder's website, the first home will begin construction in about 2 weeks.

Not all development is progress

Lake Oswego Review  |  July 31, 2014  |  MelissaA. Lavin 

Excerpts:

I bought an adorable midcentury modern on Cedar Street in Lake Oswego a year ago. I chose the city and the neighborhood with care. Our neighborhood is a collection of smaller cottages, bungalows, ranches and single-family homes with yards as well as considerable green space.

Although we have limited infrastructure, narrow roads and no sidewalks, I was not overly concerned because the neighborhood is fairly small. But now the Craigs and developer Roger Edwards of Silver Oak Custom Homes want to remake our neighborhood, putting 16 homes where six formerly stood. The plan that we are currently aware of includes cutting down trees, paving over green space and building four tall, narrow, three- and four-bedroom homes on a lot currently zoned for two.

I am for progress and would enjoy seeing my neighborhood revitalized with responsible building in keeping with its character, but that is not what is being done here. Nor is any infrastructure being improved to handle the added traffic and people.

Although I truly feel the City Council has listened and is empathetic to the neighborhood’s concerns, they appear powerless. And the paid bureaucrats who make up our city planning department do not appear to care. Why is Lake Oswego using platting from the 1800s, which allows a developer to put five homes on land zoned for two? When this platting system was designed, we did not even have cars on the roads. How can a builder be allowed to begin a 16-home project, submitting it in small pieces so that approvals can be made in a “ministerial matter” with no oversight or planning?

Be aware of the large number of homes in Lake Oswego that are being bought by developers. The next eyesore could be coming to a neighborhood near you. It does not appear at present that the people we have elected can do anything about it. This needs to change so that the Lake Oswego we know and love can remain the place we are happy to call home.

Melissa A. Lavin is a Lake Oswego resident.

Comment:

frackster • 3 days ago

It is what we are dealing with in West Linn as well. Next to us is a house on 4 1/2 acres and they voted on r-7 instead of r-10 as they move forward to selling and annexation. They will build 20 houses on nothing lots when it could have been more gracious with gardens and room to enjoy the outdoors and the view of Mt Hood. Instead it will look like all the rest of the infill development going on. What a mess.

West Linn is going the route of more money instead of better community lifestyle.