Oregon City Planning Commission reviews 2024 annual report, outlines spring presentations and project priorities

Oregon City planning staff presented the commission’s 2024 annual report at the Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 24, 2025, and said the report will be submitted to the City Commission on April 2.

The report, delivered by Planning Department staff member Aquila Hirdravitch, reviewed the commission’s presentations, discussion topics, and action items from 2024 and early 2025, and outlined next steps including a request that either Chair Paul Espie or Vice Chair Dole attend the April 2 City Commission presentation.

Hirdravitch told commissioners the report groups 2024 activities into presentations, discussion topics, and action items, and that staff moved the City Commission presentation from March 19 to April 2 because of scheduling conflicts. She summarized presentations heard last year — including legal training, a historic land-use overview, Public Works briefings on the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and MS4 stormwater programs, updates on the McLaughlin Boulevard enhancement project and transportation system‑plan (TSP) priorities, and briefings from the Housing Authority of Clackamas County and Northwest Housing Alternatives on affordable-housing issues.

Commissioners reviewed a list of action items and code matters the commission handled in 2024, including a code amendment to allow RV parks as an accessory use to parks (referenced for Clackamas Park), the Maple Lane Road annexation and associated zone change, a TSP amendment to incorporate the McLaughlin Boulevard enhancement project, minor amendments to the erosion and sediment‑control chapter, a parking‑adjustment request for a middle‑housing triplex, the Sport Craft Landing Marina master plan, and a code interpretation and nonconforming‑use review for Lithia’s Subaru.

Hirdravitch highlighted the Park Place concept‑plan code amendments as a major effort: the commission reviewed the package over seven meetings from May through August 2024, held two public hearings and recommended approval to the City Commission; the commission’s reported outcome was that those amendments were ultimately approved at the end of 2024 and into early 2025.

Looking ahead, staff described three items of continuing work: the Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) project, the Thimble Creek industrial site‑readiness study and a potential Seventh Street/Molalla Avenue corridor activation effort. Hirdravitch said the city received a Metro grant to study the Thimble Creek area along Beaver Creek Road to identify barriers to employment‑land development and what the city could do to remove those barriers; staff expect an update on that project in spring 2025. She said the CFEC work will return to the commission with additional public‑engagement results in March and a public hearing expected in April. Commissioners discussed seeking an economic‑development manager presentation on Seventh Street and Molalla Avenue when the City Commission’s goals and any staff proposals are more fully developed.

Commissioners asked a handful of clarifying questions about timing and next steps. Hirdravitch said the annual report would be presented to the City Commission on April 2 and that the planning commission could consider revising its work plan after the city’s budget and goals are set.

Votes at a glance A motion to approve the Planning Commission meeting minutes from Jan. 27, 2025 was moved and seconded during the Feb. 24 meeting. The recorded roll call votes were: Commissioner LaSalle — Aye; Commissioner Schagenhofer — Aye; Commissioner Stoll — Aye; Commissioner Victoria Meineck — Abstain; Commissioner Carla Laws — Aye; Vice Chair Dole — Aye; Chair Paul Espie — Aye. Tally: Yes 6; Abstain 1. Outcome: approved.

The commission adjourned after staff noted the next meeting will include a CFEC presentation (current schedule: March 10).