Builders press Oregon City to refine proposed garage-design rules

Members of the building community and individual residents told the Oregon City Planning Commission Aug. 23 that proposed garage-design standards in the draft code changes would limit marketable house plans and could push vehicles back into the public right-of-way.

Marjorie Hughes, a broker representing several home builders, said many modern single-family plans use forward-facing three-car garages set slightly forward of the living area to accommodate one-level floor plans and storage for boats/RVs. "Three-car garages always extend more than 40% of the house in most cases," she said, and builders should be given clear rationale and alternatives for new standards. Ernie Platt, representing the Home Builders Association of Metro Portland, told commissioners that while some builders prefer no single-family design standards, they have worked with staff and see potential for workable criteria if given more time to refine dimensions and architectural alternatives.

Staff told the commission the proposed standards seek to reduce the prevalence of the "snout house" (a garage-dominant street frontage) and to promote pedestrian-friendly neighborhood design; staff also said garages could still be allowed forward of the house with certain modifications. Commissioners agreed to continue the legislative hearing to Oct. 11 to allow time for staff and builders to develop more specific, practicable standards and to give the public time to review.