Oregon City planning commission reviews 2024 annual report, sets April 2 presentation to city commission

The Oregon City Planning Commission reviewed its 2024 annual report on Feb. 24 and agreed to present the summary to the City Commission on April 2.

Planning department staff member Aquila Hirdravitch told commissioners the annual report recounts the commission’s 2024 activities and the work plan; she said, “Essentially, we got a grant from Metro to do a study of this area,” referring to the Thimble Creek industrial site readiness project along Beaver Creek Road. Hirdravitch also said she would “request either Chair SB or Vice Chair Dole to be there to help present the annual report.”

The report groups the commission’s 2024 work into presentations, discussion topics and action items. Presentations last year included a legal training, a historical land-use review, an overview of NPDES and MS4 stormwater programs, the McLaughlin Boulevard enhancement project, and updates on housing affordability from representatives of the Clackamas County Housing Authority and Northwest Housing Alternatives.

Action items listed in the report included a code amendment to allow RV parks as an accessory use specifically at Clackamas Park, the Maple Lane Road annexation with a zone change, a transportation system plan amendment to incorporate the McLaughlin Boulevard enhancement project, minor amendments to the city’s erosion and sediment control chapter, a parking adjustment request for a middle-housing triplex, a master plan for Sport Craft Landing Marina, and a code interpretation and nonconforming use review for Lithia’s Subaru.

Hirdravitch highlighted the commission’s extended review of the Park Place concept plan code amendments: the commission discussed the topic from May through August over seven meetings, held two public hearings, and recommended approval to the City Commission; the staff report notes those amendments were ultimately approved at the end of 2024 and into early 2025.

For work-plan items the commission prioritized two project areas to continue: the Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities work (parking and related parking/transit questions) and the Thimble Creek industrial site readiness project. Hirdravitch said the Thimble Creek project, which is west of Beaver Creek Road and backs up to the college north of the high school, is a Metro-funded study to identify barriers to employment-land development and what the city could do to incentivize development.

Commissioners discussed interest in the Seventh Street and Molalla Avenue corridor as an economic-development focus; staff said ideas are preliminary and may be pursued further after the city commission finalizes its budget and goals. Staff also noted a March 10 planning commission meeting will present a Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) update on public engagement and next steps.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved the Jan. 27, 2025 meeting minutes. The minutes approval motion passed with a recorded vote of LaSalle—yes; Schlagenhofer—yes; Stoll—yes; Meineck—abstain; Laws—yes; Vice Chair Dole—yes; Chair Paul Espie—yes. Outcome: approved.

The commission agreed to take the annual report to the City Commission on April 2 and asked staff to coordinate which commission officers will join the presentation.