Oregon City planning commission approves variance for porte‑cochere at 515 Tenth Street

The Oregon City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a variance allowing a drive aisle and covered drop‑off area (porte‑cochere) between the building and Tenth Street at 515 Tenth Street, part of a planned rehabilitation of the former Oregon City Hospital into an assisted‑living facility.

The variance was approved with two conditions of approval: the variance and associated findings are based on the building as it exists today (if a majority of the building is demolished, the applicant must return for a new analysis), and the applicant must provide a direct pedestrian connection from Tenth Street to the facility’s primary entrance so pedestrians are not routed through the vehicle drive aisle.

Christina (planning staff) presented the staff report and explained that the request is for a variance because site‑plan design review standards do not allow staff to approve a drive aisle between the building and the street on this property. She said the property is in the R‑3.5 Residential District and within a geohazard overlay district because of steep slopes, and that the proposed porte‑cochere is required…