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Oregon City planning commission approves conversion of 502 McLaughlin home to doctor's office
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to convert an existing residence at 502 McLaughlin Blvd. into a doctor's office with a small rear parking lot, subject to site-plan/design and historic review; commissioners also allowed interior tenant improvements to proceed as a recommendation.
The Oregon City Planning Commission on May 22 approved conditional use file CU00-04 to convert an existing residence at 502 McLaughlin Boulevard into a doctor's office with an associated small parking lot.
Planning staff recommended approval. "Staff recommends that the planning commission approve CU0004 with 2 conditions of approval," Planning Staff member Mr. Bullion told the commission, noting the proposal must still pass site-plan and design review and historic review.
The commission's approval allows use of the existing historic house for a medical office while locating a modest parking area on an adjacent tax lot. Staff said the combined tax lots total about 9,500 square feet and that the parking plan as presented would provide seven usable stalls (including an accessible stall and van-access aisle). The city's traffic engineer raised no traffic-related objections and staff reported no neighbor letters opposed to the project.
Rick Givens, a planning consultant representing the applicant, told the commission the final site plan would show seven parking spaces and an ADA-accessible ramp along the side of the house that will connect the rear parking area to the office entrance. "The ADA ramp goes along the side of the home so that people accessing the office from the parking lot will come in to the rear ... and then into the front door of the office building," Givens said.
Commissioners discussed whether the applicant may begin interior tenant improvements before completion of the required exterior reviews. The commission adopted staff's recommendation that interior work allowed under applicable building permits may proceed prior to historic and site-plan/design review, but made that allowance as a recommendation rather than a condition of approval. Planning staff clarified that occupancy as a doctor's office would not be permitted until the required exterior reviews are complete.
The motion to approve CU00-04, including staff findings and the recommendation allowing interior work to proceed under applicable permits, passed unanimously. Polling recorded votes as: Commissioner Arzen, aye; Commissioner Vergahn, aye; Commissioner Surratt, aye; Commissioner Carter, aye; Chairperson Hewitt, aye.
The commission's approval triggers further review steps: formal site-plan and design review and historic review board review. Those processes will address details such as landscaping, screening, lighting levels and sidewalk/accessibility connections between the public sidewalk and the proposed entrance.
