Update Nov 2, 2021: Lake Oswego voters approve Measure 3-568!
Lake Oswego voters have two measures to consider for protecting our natural parks. While they sound similar, they couldn’t be further apart in the legal mechanisms used to ensure lasting, long-term protections for these natural habitats. Voters should review the proposed Chapter X texts for both two measures to make the best, informed decision.
Measure 3-568 (Citizen initiated) & Measure 3-575 (City Council referred) Compared
Current Chapter X
(Springbrook Only)
Measures 3-568 & 3-575 Charter Text
Side-by-Side Comparison with Commentary*
*Comparing the actual charter text shows significant language and legal differences
Comparing Chapter X, Measures 3-568 & 3-575
Measure 3-568
Citizen Initiated
(Charter Text, HTML)
Protects Our Natural Parks
LED & FUNDED by citizens
for citizens & preserving our LO way of life
ENDORSED by prominent
environment and conservation
organizations:
Sierra Club & Oregon Wild
STRONG Charter protections
using legally explicit safeguards
FOCUSES on
development limitations
in the Charter
EXPLICITLY defines
16 natural parks, their
acreage & boundaries
in the Charter
Charter provides LONG-TERM
strong protection from
political motives & changes in
Mayors, City Council, & City staff
VOTERS decide to approve
Charter changes by
ballot measure
BUILDS UPON Springbrook Parks’
Charter proven protections since 1978
SUPPORTS: ADA-compliance, fire
prevention, maintenance,
ecological care, stewardship
Charter text mailed to
14,000+ Lake Oswego households
(~27,000 registered voters)
between January 2020 – May 2021
for initiative petition 2020IN-1;
4,800+ residents signed the petition
Measure 3-575
City Council Referred
(Charter Text)
Risks Our Natural Parks
LED & FUNDED by developers,
city interests & political affiliates
($10,000 from Renaissance Homes)
NOT ENDORSED by prominent
environment and conservation
organizations.
WEAK Charter protections
using City ordinances
DOES NOT LIMIT
development;
allows tree removal & parking lots
DEFERS defining
natural parks, their
acreage & boundaries
by City ordinance & AFTER we vote
Ordinances provide SHORT-TERM
limited protection from
political motives & changes in
Mayors, City Council, & City staff
CITY COUNCIL approves
City ordinance changes by
simple 4:3 vote ANYTIME
DISMANTLES Springbrook Parks’
Charter protections, putting it at-risk
SUPPORTS: ADA-compliance, fire
prevention, maintenance,
ecological care, stewardship
Charter text not socialized
with the public and
difficult to find
in City records repository
City’s “public” process in July
with PraxisPolitical introduced
no improvements to the
Charter text presented to
City Council on June 15, 2021, and
that approved on Aug 3, 2021.
June 15 vs August 3
Side-by-Side Comparison