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Committee defers plan to remove short section of Highway 544 overlay after council concerns
Summary
Planned removal of the Highway 544 overlay for a short stretch of Hick Pine Road in Forest Brook prompted questions about intent and precedent; staff recommended the partial removal but councilmembers asked for more review and the committee deferred the ordinance.
The INR subcommittee considered an ordinance to remove a portion of Hick Pine Road from the Highway 544 overlay, a change staff said would affect a limited number of partial parcels in Forest Brook.
Planning staff described the intent of the overlay when it was adopted — to control appearance, signage and require additional landscaping for buildings along the corridor — and said the change would not alter allowed uses in most cases but would change facade and landscaping requirements. "The intended purpose at the time, buildings, metal buildings, for 1, would not be allowed, more landscaping than is required in your typical, general, landscape ordinance," the planner said.
Councilmembers expressed concern about precedent on 544 (a major corridor into the beach) and about local visual impacts; one member called the corridor an "eyesore" in places and urged caution. After questions and a request to consult with the district councilmember, the committee moved to defer the ordinance for additional review and discussion.
