Commission schedules July work sessions on code amendments and code audit; staff flags state compliance deadlines

At the June 22 meeting, Lake Oswego staff told the Planning Commission that July 13 will include two work sessions: one on the semiannual (maintenance) code amendments and another providing an update on the city’s code-audit project. Manager Olsen said the semiannual amendments include housekeeping items and some changes needed to comply with new state legislation; staff said some statutory deadlines fall on January 1, 2027.

Senior Planner Evan Franstead was identified as the staff lead on the code-audit project; staff said a consultant is on board and public-involvement planning has begun. Manager Olsen asked for a volunteer from the commission to participate in parts of the code-audit outreach and noted the city hopes to arrange a site tour related to projects tied to the code audit and rezoning work.

Staff also said the July 27 meeting was pushed to August 10 for the Foothills work session. Commissioners confirmed there was no item currently scheduled for July 27. Staff asked commissioners to watch for further materials and said additional outreach details would be provided in advance of the July work sessions.

During the schedule discussion staff mentioned specific state bills by number but also noted uncertainty about the exact bill citations; the takeaway for the commission was that state law changes require timely local code amendments.