Resident warns of rising landslide losses, urges Oregon City to tighten slope rules

Christine Kosinski of unincorporated Clackamas County told the commission during public comment that recent heavy rain and snow produced landslides, mudflows and street closures in Oregon City and nearby communities. She said homeowners and a business have suffered large losses and that affected homeowners often are unable to obtain landslide insurance and sometimes face bankruptcy.

"Homeowners are unable to purchase landslide insurance in The United States and therefore, bear the entire financial losses with many of them winding up in bankruptcy," Kosinski said. She told commissioners she is concerned that state disclosure laws are not being upheld and that Oregon City’s upgraded slope and grading codes may not be stringent enough to prevent future losses.

Kosinski asked the city to compare its slope thresholds with those of neighboring jurisdictions: "The new guidelines speak only to slopes of 25% or greater. However, the city of Portland has new guidelines that regulate slopes of 20% or greater, and the guidelines in Marion County are set to govern over slopes of 10% or greater." She said slides on Holly Lane and in the Street of Dreams area have occurred on slopes as low as 14%.

Kosinski said homeowners affected by a recent slide in the Terwilliger area have retained geotechnical consultants and attorneys, and she urged the city to strengthen local codes and ordinances governing development on steep slopes so future litigation and losses can be reduced.

Chairperson Paul acknowledged the comment and said it would be forwarded to the City Commission for their consideration.

What’s next: Kosinski’s statement was entered into the record for tonight’s meeting and staff confirmed the comment will be provided to the City Commission for any code change considerations.