Remove Barriers to Mixed Use Development
Why did Lake Oswego spend so much time and so much money on creating Clear and Objective Housing Codes when many of the commercial areas were already code compliant? (See yesterday's blog post.). And, why has the city forged ahead with increasingly dense urbanization in spite of overt citizen rejection of these plans?
Metro, State, Federal, and NGO Involvement:
As USC has described before, there is an effort to spread "Smart Growtj" development nationwide, and throughout the world. There is an order to how governments change existing land use regulations to allow for Smart Growth (compact, form-based, high density) development. All of this is described in Metro documents ("Toolkits") for their "Strategic Partners" in the region, but the steps are common to all Smart Growth development. Lake Oswego is in various stages of the transformation process of changing from low-density, zone-based development codes to medium and high-density, form-based codes. There is very little vacant land left, so redevelopment is the only way to grow the city: UP, not out.
Example of mixed use with vertical housing density and transit.
As USC has described before, there is an effort to spread "Smart Growtj" development nationwide, and throughout the world. There is an order to how governments change existing land use regulations to allow for Smart Growth (compact, form-based, high density) development. All of this is described in Metro documents ("Toolkits") for their "Strategic Partners" in the region, but the steps are common to all Smart Growth development. Lake Oswego is in various stages of the transformation process of changing from low-density, zone-based development codes to medium and high-density, form-based codes. There is very little vacant land left, so redevelopment is the only way to grow the city: UP, not out.
- ID locations for Town Centers, Main Streets, Employment Centers, Neighborhood Villages, etc. for density and mixed use.
- Use grant money to hire consultants to design an area plan, including new code.
- Make changes to Comprehensive Plan to allow mixed uses.
- Change regulations for noncompliant uses and variances to aid the transition to mixed use.
- "Streamline" development codes to "remove barriers" to mixed use development.
- Add incentives for developers for increasing housing density.
- Create an Urban Renewal District to use public taxes to entice developers to build in an area.
- Recruit developers who want to develop the kind of project the city government wants.
- Voila! A dense, mixed-use downtown or neighborhood.
- Everyone is happy. No? Property tax income didn't exceed added expenses? Livability?
PP 12-0007: PHASE 2 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE STREAMLINING AND UPDATES
Lake Oswego has been planning for mixed use for years. Current code changes have been in the development process for the last 4-5 years, and probably well before that. See Planning website for recent project documents, filed under Projects on main page.
The code development projects have been to update nonconforming land uses and variances, create clear and objective housing standards for mixed use development in commercial areas, and other "housekeeping" changes. Some code changes have been stalled for closer examination by the Planning Commission (parking codes, building heights, etc.). Not yet considered, but part of the consultant's report, is consolidating zones and changing height and FAR allowances, dwelling units and setbacks within the new zones.
Part of the exhibits is a set of graphic depictions of Lake Grove with a more dense code applied. Look for the December, 2012 Open House material. These codes are being adjusted (status unknown), but it gives one a peek at what density looks like in LO.
Lake Oswego City Council:
On January 10, the City Coumcil met to create policies and goals for the year. Here are a few Draft of the 2015 Goals and updated Policies:
2015 Goals
A thriving business community builds the city's property tax base, provides jobs for Lake Oswego residents, and provides goods and services for residents. The City of Lake Oswego will actively encourage business investment and expansion by:
For a number of years, at least since the 2004 Downtown Redevelopment Plan underwent major expansion and amendments, Lake Oswego city government has been on track to increase density in the city using a Smart Growth model. This model also fits with the State's and Metro's Climate Smart Communities (questionable) goals. The "benefit" to Lake Oswego is twofold: 1) development that increases the property tax base, and 2) meets environmental and social goals of increased density within the UGB.
The purpose of Clear and Objective Housing Standards is to make it easier for developers to create housing units in Oregon without undue interference from local governments' regulatory codes and procedures. The law does not preclude Development Review Commission and public review. The Design Districts in Lake Oswego, including Lake Grove and Downtown, are very objective and specific.
The concern is that if the Clear and Objective Standards relax the standards and/or give the planning department more control of the approval process, the result will be development that citizens don't want and doesn't fit the vision of LO residents for the city. The feeling is that the city should weigh the concerns of residents over those of the developer.
Google search results to "remove barriers to mixed use" for more information on the subject.
Lake Oswego has been planning for mixed use for years. Current code changes have been in the development process for the last 4-5 years, and probably well before that. See Planning website for recent project documents, filed under Projects on main page.
The code development projects have been to update nonconforming land uses and variances, create clear and objective housing standards for mixed use development in commercial areas, and other "housekeeping" changes. Some code changes have been stalled for closer examination by the Planning Commission (parking codes, building heights, etc.). Not yet considered, but part of the consultant's report, is consolidating zones and changing height and FAR allowances, dwelling units and setbacks within the new zones.
Part of the exhibits is a set of graphic depictions of Lake Grove with a more dense code applied. Look for the December, 2012 Open House material. These codes are being adjusted (status unknown), but it gives one a peek at what density looks like in LO.
Lake Oswego City Council:
On January 10, the City Coumcil met to create policies and goals for the year. Here are a few Draft of the 2015 Goals and updated Policies:
2015 Goals
- Streamline the development code to make it more business-friendly, while still maintaining community standards.
- Improve the city's infrastructure to meet current standards and provide for managed future growth.
A thriving business community builds the city's property tax base, provides jobs for Lake Oswego residents, and provides goods and services for residents. The City of Lake Oswego will actively encourage business investment and expansion by:
- Reducing regulatory barriers (complexity, time and cost in processing applications, amount and scope of regulations) wherever possible, without sacrificing community aesthetics and livibility.
- Financial or land use incentives when warranted by benefits to the city provided by the new or growing business, as decided on a case-by-case basis by the City Council.
For a number of years, at least since the 2004 Downtown Redevelopment Plan underwent major expansion and amendments, Lake Oswego city government has been on track to increase density in the city using a Smart Growth model. This model also fits with the State's and Metro's Climate Smart Communities (questionable) goals. The "benefit" to Lake Oswego is twofold: 1) development that increases the property tax base, and 2) meets environmental and social goals of increased density within the UGB.
The purpose of Clear and Objective Housing Standards is to make it easier for developers to create housing units in Oregon without undue interference from local governments' regulatory codes and procedures. The law does not preclude Development Review Commission and public review. The Design Districts in Lake Oswego, including Lake Grove and Downtown, are very objective and specific.
The concern is that if the Clear and Objective Standards relax the standards and/or give the planning department more control of the approval process, the result will be development that citizens don't want and doesn't fit the vision of LO residents for the city. The feeling is that the city should weigh the concerns of residents over those of the developer.
Google search results to "remove barriers to mixed use" for more information on the subject.
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