Letter to the Editor: Lake Oswego’s Development Review Commission

It’s said that all politics is local.  But, unlike other city commissions in our beautiful town, the Development Review Commission (DRC) is not necessarily composed of folks who live in Lake Oswego. This commission has a direct impact on what gets built here, on what trees get cut down, and on what code variance appeals get approved. The city’s website states: “The Development Review Commission ensures new development in Lake Oswego complies with the City’s land use and design regulations.”  Decisions of this importance should be made by people who have a vested interest in the direction of Lake Oswego’s growth.  Members of the DRC should be able to see and live with the consequences of their decisions every day, not just on evenings they come to a commission meeting.  Let the mayor and city council know that DRC residency requirements should be as follows: No less than 4 of the members of the DRC shall be residents of the City of Lake Oswego. Any members not residing in the City shall reside within the City’s Urban Services Boundary.

Chris Durkee
Palisades Neighborhood Association
Land Use Coordinator