Many PNA residents are aware of the current citizen’s initiative regarding the protection of natural spaces in LO. PNA has previously posted information on the City’s consideration of an alternative proposal and here we are posting information on the citizen’s initiative, sponsored by LoveLOParks. ( https://www.loveloparks.org ) (PNA is neutral on the matter and wants our residents to have what they need to make an informed decision when voting time arrives.)
An excerpt from the LoveLOParks explanatory page https://www.loveloparks.org/index.php/causes/protect-our-natural-parks/citizens-measure-explained/ ):
Lake Oswego citizens began circulating citizen initiative petition, 2020IN-1, to protect our natural parks from future City development in December 2019. For the past 18-months, over 100 residents have volunteered thousands of hours and donated to our efforts to inform and educate the Lake Oswego community about the protections we seek for these natural areas. Citizen initiative petitions for local elections must collect signatures from at least 15% of the City’s registered voters to qualify for the ballot. We needed 4,365 signatures and collected over 4,700 and counting.
Clackamas County Elections certified 4,433 Lake Oswego registered voters signatures on June 23, 2021, thereby qualifying our citizen initiative petition 2020IN-1 for the November 2021 ballot. Our Citizen’s Measure (measure # TBD) amends the Lake Oswego City Charter’s Chapter X – Park Development Limitation to protect 15 additional natural parks with additional development limitations to preserve them as natural habitats accessible for public enjoyment.
Citizens are pursuing protections due to repeated City attempts to develop one or more of our natural parks. For example, Cooks Butte was deeded to the City in 1975 by the Emery family for the purposes of remaining a natural habitat. The City has pursued development a top Cooks Butte 3 times (1994, 2002, and 2019) for a major telecommunications facility. Citizens strongly opposed each attempt and with the Emery’s assistance development was prevented.
For the entire explanatory statement, use the link above. To stay informed, see: https://www.loveloparks.org/subscribe
Palisades Neighborhood Association
