Planning Commission and City Council Topics

TYPE III HEARING FOR AN AMENDED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION FOR A DUPLEX AT 19232 AND 19262 PILKINGTON ROAD

On Monday, May 7, 2018, the Planning Commission will hold a Type III public hearing for an amended development permit application fora duplex at 19232 and 19262 Pilkington Road (NE corner of Pilkington and Childs Roads) submitted by Renaissance Homes.

Information about this application can be obtained by contacting the city at leanne@cityofrivergrove.com, by calling 503.639.6919 or by writing to the City at P.O. Box 1104, Lake Oswego, OR 97035. Electronic copies will be provided at no charge; there is a nominal fee for paper copies. Application materials can be viewed at City Hall by appointment, contact information above.

COMPLETENESS REVIEW FOR A THREE-LOT PARTITION AT 5450 CHILDS ROAD

At the Monday, May 7, 2018 meeting, the Planning Commission will review for completeness a development permit application for a three-lot partition and area accessory permit at 5450 Childs Road (the lot at the end of Lorna Lane), submitted by Lance Coffel.

TREE ORDINANCE PUBLIC WORK SESSION

On Monday, May 7, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the River Grove Elementary School library, the Tree Advisory Board will hold a public work session to discuss the draft of a prospective Tree Ordinance (VIEW HERE). The Tree Advisory Board looks forward to your questions and comments. If you cannot attend the meeting, you may send written comments to City Manager/ City Recorder Leanne Moll at leanne@cityofrivergrove.com.

THANK YOU, BUDGET COMMITTEE

The Budget Committee met in April to discuss the financial goals of the City and to give guidance and feedback regarding the prepared budget. Thank you to Budget Committee Chair Norm Donohoe and members Byron Kibbey, Roger Knight, and Mike Munch for their time and expertise.

TVF&R FIREHOUSE ON MCEWAN APPROVED

Following an announcement that Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) has purchased land on McEwan Avenue, Tualatin City Council approved a conditional use application for a TVF&R fire station on that site, adjacent to I-5. This is excellent for Rivergrove residents since the City will now have a well-equipped and staffed firehouse minutes away.

TVF&R plans to build fire station on McEwan Road

PLANT SALE AND OPEN GARDEN

Bill and Charlene Tuttle will host a Plant Sale on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 from 10AM to 5PM and Open Garden for Rivergrove residents on Sunday, April 29 from 4-6PM. Proceeds benefit the Rogerson Clematis Collection at Luscher Farms. The sale and Open Garden will be held at the Tuttle Residence, 5710 Childs Road (please park on Benfield).

PLANNING COMMISSIONER SOUGHT

Are you drawn to public service? Would you like to connect with your community? Are you interested in improving the quality of life in Rivergrove? What about protecting the river and wetlands in your backyard? Please consider joining the Rivergrove Planning Commission. The Planning Commission plays a central role in city governance by acting as an advisory board to City Council on all planning and development issues in addition to reviewing and deciding on development applications. We seek one volunteer who is able to attend meetings on the first Monday of each month. No experience necessary. Most planning commissioners are lay people without any previous land use experience. If you are interested or have further questions, please contact City Manager/ City Recorder Leanne Moll at leanne@cityofrivergrove.com.

Arbor Month Festivities

Eight residents gathered at the home of Councilor Brenda Ruble to watch the documentary Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home. Thank you for hosting, Councilor Ruble.

Copies of the Rivergrove Reads book Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants that the documentary is based on are still available at the Little Free Libraries at Lloyd Minor Park or along Dogwood Drive. When you've read the book, simply return it to a Little Free Library or pass it along to a neighbor.

Residents gathered in Heritage Park in celebration of Arbor Month 2018. Councilor Arne Nyberg planted an Oregon White Oak in the savanna and oversaw the planting of twelve pussy willow twigs. Several more native tree species, provided by the City, will be planted in Rivergrove yards.

Happy Earth Day

Decisions

The Planning Commission deemed complete an amended development application for a previously approved duplex at 19232 and 19262 Pilkington Road, submitted by Renaissance Homes.
The Budget Committee approved the proposed Fiscal Year 2018-19 Budget with one amendment that raised the Highway Fund Contingency from $30,000 to $40,000.
City Council allotted funds to install two permanent electric speed signs on Childs Road (both west-and east-bound) to calm traffic.

Mayor's Message

Here's a brief update on our safety plans for Childs Road. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Transportation Committee and its truly dedicated chair, Councilor Carolyn Bahrman, we are seeing progress! The crosswalk strobe lights at both Benfield Avenue and Megly Court will require a Safe Routes to School grant, but I am happy to report that the project has been selected for further consideration. The application deadline is October of this year and funds will be available in 2019. Keep your fingers crossed!

In the meantime, the County has made an offer City Council could not refuse, for the installation of two permanent electric speed signs to slow traffic. Council has approved this, pending final details, and we expect these will be installed by June.

Finally, if funds permit after these projects are completed, Rivergrove will purchase lighted stop signs for the Sycamore/Childs intersection.

This has been a long and difficult process but I'm sure we will all be happy to see safety improvements take place.