Planning Commission endorses 2025 work plan, highlights Foothills plan, tree-code updates and housing strategies

The Lake Oswego Planning Commission on March 24, 2025 reviewed a proposed 2025 work plan and signaled general support for a program of projects that staff says will implement the city’s Housing Production Strategy (HPS) and other council priorities.

Long Range Planning Manager Eric Olsen reviewed the work plan and identified eight priority projects for 2025: the Foothills District Plan update, tree regulation amendments, a Community Development Code audit and amendments, rezoning strategy connected to the HPS, consideration of a low‑income rental housing tax exemption, Fair Housing policy and education, home occupation standards updates, and the annual CDC amendment process. Olsen said staff had issued a request for proposals for the Foothills District Plan, expected proposals on April 10 and hoped to finalize a consultant contract by June 1. “We are expecting proposals to come in on, April 10 and hoping to finalize a contract with a consultant by June 1 for that work,” Olsen said.

Olsen said elements of the tree regulation work could fall inside the Commission’s formal review as Community Development Code amendments, while other pieces may lie outside the Commission’s purview and be implemented administratively. He described the code audit as an early‑stage project for which staff may pursue a Metro grant to support scope and work led by senior planner Evan Franstead.

Commissioners were told the home occupation standards project is moving toward a Planning Commission work session on April 14 and a public hearing on May 28; staff reported the survey of home‑occupation license holders yielded roughly 50 responses. Olsen also said the broader HPS implementation would be on the commission’s May 28 agenda, and that the city expects to receive formal comment from the State Department of Land Conservation and Development that could affect timing or content of some strategies. “So that is something that we'll have at least some official word from, the state on whether or not any of those strategies need to be reconsidered or if they have any comments that might modify them,” Olsen said.

Commissioner Naljak asked whether the proposed low‑income rental housing tax exemption differed from an earlier nonprofit exemption passed in recent years; Olsen responded that the proposed exemption would be focused specifically on low‑income rental housing and would require nonprofit status for that strategy, noting similarities but a distinct target. The Commission did not take a formal vote to adopt the work plan; Olsen said he heard general agreement and that no formal motion had been required. He asked commissioners to raise issues as they arise and to expect additional, project‑specific materials at future meetings.

Staff also noted a state legislative session update will be provided at the Planning Commission’s April 28 meeting with a land‑use focus, and that the Foothills update, rezoning and HPS implementation will return to the Commission multiple times through the year for hearings and deliberation.

The review closed with commissioners offering informal support and no requested changes that would require a formal amendment to the draft work plan.