Mount Hood Athletic Club Design Review Modification: The owner of Mt. Hood Athletic Club submitted an application in 2023 to bring the building closer in compliance with the “Sandy Style” design requirements. File No. 23-048 DR – MHAC Entry was approved on December 7, 2023, and some of the approved construction has already been completed. This new application is for a minor modification to the originally approved pedestrian shelter over the main entrance and the addition of a pickle ball court in the northeast corner of the property.

The proposed new design consists of a new wood-framed and metal panel awning, two new bases of adhered masonry veneer, new sconces at the main entrance, and new lights under the canopy. The proposed pickle ball court in the northeast corner of the property is directly adjacent to the existing parking lot. The court will have an eight (8) foot high black vinyl-coated chain-link fence around it, but lighting is not proposed at this time. There will also be a basketball hoop inside the court to play basketball when pickle ball is not being played.

Building Division Update:
Permits Issued = 19
C of O’s Issued = 6 for single family homes and 1 for a detached duplex
ERUs Issued = 0

Economic Development Strategic Plan Ordinance Adoption: In early 2021, the City Council met and established their 2021-2023 Biennial City Council Goals. One of the goals discussed was the need to grow the City’s economic base. From that discussion came Goal 3: “Develop a long-term plan for economic development that provides clear direction for commercial, industrial, and small business growth.”

In July 2022, the City contracted with Community Attributes Inc. to produce an Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP). The Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) was tasked to review the data, provide input, and assist in developing a work plan that included tactics, tasks, and measurable action steps. At the heart of the EDSP is a roadmap to achieving the economic vision for the City of Sandy for a 10-year time horizon. The project goals of the plan are to establish a clear economic development direction that identifies the city’s strengths and opportunities, and its position in the broader Mt. Hood and east Clackamas County region.

The EDSP was approved by motion at the June 2023 City Council meeting. Because no formal resolution or ordinance was adopted by the City Council at that meeting, the City decided that having an ordinance making the EDSP an appendix of the new 2050 Envision Sandy Comprehensive Plan would set a stronger foundation for when the City sets new economic development policy or uses existing policy to implement community and economic development activities. The ordinance will be presented at hearings before the Planning Commission and the City Council in October and November, respectively.

Code Enforcement Report:

• Noxious vegetation was the most common case type in September, followed by sidewalk violations. Sidewalk cases included concrete repairs as well as overgrown vegetation, street tree branches hanging too low, and blocked sidewalks. 

• 12 citations were issued by Code Enforcement in September. All citations were for noxious vegetation violations and junk accumulation.
  • A development company was cited twice in September for failing to maintain their vacant tracts in the Sandy Bluff neighborhood. The noxious vegetation is encroaching into neighboring properties and has yet to be abated.
  • A property on Davis Drive was cited for junk accumulation and noxious vegetation. This property also has complaints of extreme odor and rodent infestation. City staff are working with the property owner as well as AntFarm to abate the violations and have the property included in the Community Connect program to ensure the violations do not return.
  • The Lundeen property on HWY 26 and 362nd Ave was cited eight times for maintaining noxious vegetation. The noxious vegetation has yet to be abated.

US Metal Works Addition: The property owner received approval to remove 3,000 square feet from an existing 5,500 square foot metal building referred to as Building D. The removal of 3,000 square feet will be replaced with an entirely new 6,000 square foot metal building. The new building will be situated directly adjacent to the remainder of the original building but situated at a perpendicular angle. The building (Building D) is currently used to house a USDA meat cutting facility that supplies local businesses. No additional sewer flow is anticipated with this building addition so it could be approved during the existing moratorium.

17250 New Circle Height Adjustment: The property owner received approval for a height adjustment to an accessory structure on residential zoned property. The applicant is constructing a 256 square foot shed with a mansard roof. A mansard roof is a multi-sided gambrel-style hip roof characterized by two slopes on each of its sides, with the lower slope at a steeper angle than the upper slope. The proposed shed’s deck line is specified to be at sixteen (16) feet, six (6) inches. The Sandy Development Code states that an accessory structure shall not exceed a maximum height of 16 feet. An additional six (6) inches above the deck line equates to a 3.2 percent increase, which is an acceptable adjustment when all approval criteria are met.

Building Division Update:
Permits Issued = 37
C of O’s Issued = 4 for single family homes and 3 for detached duplexes
ERUs Issued = 3.5 for five multi-family dwelling units

Code Enforcement Report:

• There were 31 cases involving overgrown trees and noxious vegetation that were closed in August, many due to impeding sidewalks and public rights-of-way.

• 12 Citations were issued by Code Enforcement in August. All citations were for noxious vegetation violations.
  • A development company was cited 8 times in August for failing to maintain their vacant lots on College Street. The noxious vegetation is encroaching neighboring properties and has yet to be abated. They are currently being cited daily.
  • Another developer was cited for not maintaining their vacant lot. This lot is north of HWY 26 and west of Bluff Road adjacent to Paola’s.
  • Another developer was cited for failing to maintain tracts in the Sandy Bluff 6 subdivision which are overgrown with blackberry brambles encroaching on access to Sandy Bluff Park and several neighboring properties.
  • Property on 362nd Drive to the north of Highway 26 was cited twice for maintaining noxious vegetation. The noxious vegetation has yet to be abated.

Adjustments and Variances: In July, the Planning Division received multiple applications for minor land use adjustments and variances.  An “Adjustment” is an option that exists for those circumstances where uniform, unvarying rules would prevent a more efficient use of a lot. An example is permitting a structure to be located closer to a lot line than allowed by the zoning district regulations. The Development Services Director may grant or deny an adjustment if the request involves only the expansion or reduction of not more than 20 percent of one or more quantifiable provisions of the Sandy Development Code.

In the month of July, we reviewed and sent notices to residents within 300 feet to allow for a residential shed to exceed the maximum height of sixteen (16) feet, allowing the shed to rise to a just under nineteen (19) feet. Another request was received and the notice was sent to residents within 300 feet to allow an adjustment to the maximum allowed residential driveway width of twenty-four (24) feet. The adjustment allowed the resident to increase their driveway by 20%, increasing the width to just under twenty nine (29) feet. 

Deer Pointe Park Basketball Court Shelter: On July 28, 2025, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a design review and three variances for a new outdoor basketball court shelter at Deer Pointe Park. On March 21,2025, the Deer Pointe Park design review was issued a final order of approval. The 3.16-acre park located at the corner of Meadow Avenue and Fawn Street will have the typical neighborhood park amenities including an accessible looped path, playground, multi-use field, picnic shelters and tables, and a basketball court.

However, now the basketball court will have a first-rate roof shelter over the entire basketball court of 94 feet by 50 feet. The three variances pertained to roof pitch, secondary roof forms such as dormers, and the concrete column footings.

Building Division Update:
Permits Issued = 33
C of O’s Issued = 2 for single family homes
ERUs Issued = 2 for single family homes

Electronic Plan Review: The City received building permit plans for two recent commercial design review approvals. These are the first two building permit submittals, using the “electronic plan review process.” This process is now an alternative to the paper copies that were standard and required prior to January 2025. The two submissions included the new construction of the Sandy Art Studio located at 38756 Pioneer Blvd. and for an existing building renovation for a new daycare facility located at 38888 Pioneer Blvd.

Code Enforcement Report:

• There were 32 noxious vegetation cases closed during July and 20 active noxious vegetation cases to start August.

• 8 Citations were issued in July
  • A property owner on Davis Drive was cited for noxious vegetation on their property. The violations have yet to be abated.
  • A property owner on Sandy Heights Street was cited for noxious vegetation. The violation has been abated.
  • A property owner on Davis Drive was cited four times in July for maintaining an ongoing yard sale for six weeks and displaying accumulated junk for the sale. Citations were issued daily until the sale was ended and the junk was abated.
  • A property owner north of Highway 26 on 362nd Drive has been cited twice for not removing noxious vegetation. The noxious vegetation has yet to be abated.

2025 Achievement in Community Engagement Awards: The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) awarded the City of Sandy the 2025 Achievement in Community Engagement (ACE) Award for the Sandy Comprehensive Plan.

The level and quality of engagement in this project could not have been possible without the entire team’s support. The Community Involvement Advisory Committee was very impressed with the Envision Sandy 2050 Comprehensive Plan application, notably:

• Impressive engagement of community members from all sectors, in particular youth engagement,
• Undertaking a comprehensive plan update through a lens of community preparedness and resilience,
• Reflecting past and potential changes, challenges, and opportunities for the City of Sandy throughout the process.

Thank you to everyone for bringing your knowledge and expertise to this project. We are grateful to be connected to such strong and talented partners!

Building Division Update:
Permits Issued = 28
C of O’s Issued = 6 all for single family homes
ERUs Issued = 5 all for single family homes

Maiden Properties LLC – Eagle Industrial Park: On June 16 the City Council voted unanimously to extend the conditional re-zoning approval and design modification timeframe established in the development agreement between the City and Michael Maiden LLC for another five (5) years. Eagle Industrial Park consists of five (5) buildings located at the SE corner of Hwy 26 and 362nd Drive.

Mr. Maiden and the City agreed that the zone change be conditioned on completing modifications to the existing buildings in compliance with the Sandy Style Design Standards. The approved building modifications would incorporate “Sandy Style” design elements into the facades of these highly visible buildings. In addition, the building modifications would allow for higher and more diverse uses with the eventual zone amendment to Industrial Park (I-1).

Washman Car Wash facility – Vacuum Additions: Washman LLC, is proposing to develop a vacant lot directly adjacent to their current business location on Hwy 26, for the installation of twenty (20) new vacuum stalls and a roughly 300 square-foot maintenance building. The existing Washman facility would have a direct route from the exit of the automated car wash to the area where the vacuums are proposed.

Revenue Reservoir Pump Station: The City just approved the Design Review for upgrades to the City’s existing water reservoir and pump station facility located off of Revenue Avenue, between McElroy Street and Hood Street. The upgrades include adding a new structure housing two new chlorine tanks (sodium hypochlorite), adding new pumps, and modifying the input to the existing water reservoir tank. The new structure is less than twelve feet in height which is similar to the existing pump station building and will be 398 square feet in size.

The project is necessary because in 2027 the City is scheduled to start receiving filtered, pH adjusted, chloraminated water from the City of Portland’s new water treatment plant instead of the unfiltered water from the Lusted Pump Station. The sodium hypochlorite that will be stored in the new building will be injected into the water before the water flows into the reservoir. The sodium hypochlorite will remove ammonia from the water and provide a free-chlorine disinfectant residual in the drinking water before it is pumped into the City’s distribution system.

June Planning Commission Meeting:

File No. 25-031 DCA – Alternative Wastewater Systems Code Additions: The City first enacted a development moratorium relating to capacity issues with its wastewater treatment system on October 3, 2022 (Moratorium 1.0). Since that time, the City has periodically enacted replacement moratoria as circumstances change, generally to loosen restrictions or provide improved flexibility as much as possible.

Additionally, the City Council on November 4, 2024, and then again on March 17, 2025, asked staff to explore the ability to implement alternative wastewater systems. To achieve the ability to use alternative wastewater systems other than the City’s main sanitary infrastructure, municipal code modifications would have to be made. The Planning Commission held a legislative public hearing on June 30 and are forwarding a recommendation to City Council for consideration at the July 21 City Council meeting.

File No. 25-030 DCA – FEMA PICM Code Modifications: Pursuant to the result of a 2007 lawsuit and a 2016 Biological Opinion from National Marine Fisheries Services, FEMA must develop reasonable alternatives to its current floodplain regulations and implement changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), to address takings of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Since the City of Sandy participates in the NFIP, the City has mandatory compliance requirements. The City of Sandy’s ongoing participation in the NFIP is critical, as it provides access to flood insurance for property owners, renters, and businesses. In the City of Sandy there are currently twelve (12) NFIP policies in force representing $2,887,000 in coverage. The Planning Commission held a legislative public hearing on June 30 and are forwarding a recommendation to City Council for consideration at the July 21 City Council meeting.

Code Enforcement Report:

• There were 36 Noxious Vegetation cases closed during June and 22 active to start July.

• 8 Citations were issued in June
  • A property on Goldenrain Street was cited twice for junk accumulation on their property. The violations were abated.
  • The Sandy Smoke Shop was cited twice for noxious vegetation. They have begun to abate the issue, but the case is still open.
  • A property owner on Davis Drive was cited four times for maintaining an ongoing yard sale for six weeks and displaying accumulated junk for the sale. The sale has ended and signage removed, but an accumulation of junk still exists on the property that requires daily citation until abated.   

Exemption to Senate Bill 1537: In January, City staff submitted an application to the the Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO requesting an exemption to section 38 of Senate Bill 1537 (2024 Session). Based on HAPO’s review of the City of Sandy Exemption Request against the applicable review criteria established in section 39 (2), SB 1537 (2024), HAPO approved the City’s exemption request with seven conditions. The City of Sandy was only the second city in Oregon to receive approval for the exemption request. This exemption allows the City to use our local process for adjustment/variance requests and requires the City to approve 90 percent of adjustment/variance requests for the development of housing, instead of 100 percent as would have otherwise been required. In accordance with HAPO’s conditions of approval we have created a web page and are sending correspondence to all existing and prospective applicants for the development of housing. The web page and decision can be found here: https://www.ci.sandy.or.us/planning/page/exemption-request-mandatory-adjustments

May Planning Commission Meeting: The Planning Commission held a regular scheduled meeting on Tuesday May 27. At the meeting there were work sessions regarding code amendments to Chapter 17.74 for retaining walls/fences and temporary uses/structures, and to Chapter 8.36 for outdoor burning. The Planning Commission provided great input that staff will incorporate and then bring forth for City Council consideration.

Liepold Farms Fruit Stand: The City received a request for a Temporary Use Permit application to set up a fruit stand to sell locally grown strawberries and blueberries and other fruit. Liepold Farms will set up its stand at the same location where the Sandy Farmer’s Market holds its event every Friday during the summer. The Fruit Stand is proposed to be open six (6) days a week. Hours of operation will be Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and every Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. The stand is proposed for a duration between June 6, 2025, through August 25, 2025. The berry stand’s hours will overlap with the Mt. Hood Farmers Market hours on Friday when the market is open. The temporary structure will be a significant upgrade over what they previously used pre-Covid-19.

Sandy Invitational Chainsaw Carving (SICC): The SICC event held its 3rd annual event on May 31st and June 1st, featuring chainsaw carving, timber sports, and forestry education. The event was free to the public and was hosted by Trajectory NW. The two-day event was sponsored by Dick Hannah Ford/Chevrolet on their eight (8) acre site behind their dealership on Hwy 26.

Building Division Update:
Permits Issued = 47
C of O’s Issued = 4
ERUs Issued = 2 for single family homes

Code Enforcement Report:

• There were 21 noxious vegetation cases closed during “Low Mow May”. This number will likely increase in June as cases will likely increase.
• The rental license audit was completed with 100% compliance achieved.
• Eight (8) citations were issued in May.
  • A property on Revenue Avenue was cited three times for junk accumulation on their property.
  • A property on 362nd Drive was cited three times for junk accumulation/attractive nuisance. Abatement has begun as a result of the citations.
  • The owners of an apartment complex on Meinig Avenue were cited for failing to register their rental property with the Rental Registrar.
  • One contracting business was cited for performing construction work without obtaining a business license or a building permit.  

Sandy Art Studio:

The house and property located at 38756 Pioneer Blvd. was purchased in 2024 and the derelict boarding house has since been demolished. The new property owners recently received site plan approval to construct a three-story commercial building. The building will contain leasable art studios and classroom areas, display art for sale, hold gallery events, and will include a small-scale ground level coffee shop.

The property is located in one of the two downtown areas that allow exceptions to the typical “Sandy Style” design. The applicant chose to conform to the “Farmhouse Style” design that will be in harmony with the buildings on the south side of Pioneer Blvd. between Scales Avenues and Bruns Avenue. The new commercial building will be larger than the previous house, with the front entranceway prominently facing Pioneer Blvd.

The three-story building will have a lower floor that provides walk out access to the rear public parking lot. The new owners will continue to maintain the eight (8) foot wide flight of stairs that brings pedestrians to and from Pioneer Parking Lot to Pioneer Blvd. Because the applicant is proposing an equivalent use to what was previously occupying this property and therefore will not increase the sanitary flows, the new construction can be approved.

Building Division Update:
Permits Issued = 23 (the majority of the permits issued were residential mechanical permits for AC and HVAC units)
C of O’s Issued = 0
ERUs Issued = 1 for a single family home

Temporary Use Permits for Spring/Summer 2025:

Sandy Garden Club Plant Sale: May 3

The Sandy Garden Club received approval for a one-day event to set up a tent with multiple tables to sell indoor/outdoor house plants. The one-day event will be held at 38600 Proctor Blvd., the vacant lot next to the AntFarm Building and where the Mt. Hood Farmers Market is held. 

Mt. Hood Farmers Market: May 16 – October 17 (Fridays)

The City issued a Temporary Use Permit for the approval of AntFarm’s annual Mt. Hood Farmer’s Market. The Market will be located at 17455 Scales Avenue and 38600 Proctor Blvd., next to the AntFarm building in the center of the city’s downtown. The event will be held weekly, every Friday, starting at 2:00 PM. Scales Avenue will be closed during event hours to open up more area for additional vendors as the market continues to grow each and every year.

Sandy Invitational Chainsaw Carving Event: May 31 and June 1

The City received a request for a Special Events Permit to hold the 3rd Annual “Sandy Invitational Chainsaw Carving (SICC)” Festival. The event will be located in the vacant lot behind Dick Hannah’s auto dealerships. Access to the site will be through a separate entrance located off of Industrial Way, just south of Hwy 26.

The event is divided into five parts with the main event being the active chainsaw carving of 15-20 artists and the selling and auctioning of their art. They will be hosting independent wood carving artists to demonstrate their capabilities and sell art along with other relevant vendors/educational booths with partner organizations.

Sandy Area Metro (SAM) will be providing a specialty route during the SICC event on May 31 and June 1. SAM is putting together a route that will include the SICC Main Site plus several extra locations around Sandy.

TNT Fireworks Stands (Fred Meyer and Wood Mizer): June 23 – July 6

38477 Proctor Blvd. (Wood Mizer Parking Lot)

16625 362nd (Fred Meyer Parking Lot)

The City approved a Temporary Use Permit at two locations to use a portion of their parking lots for the location of a 20-foot by 40-foot framed tent display to sell fireworks from June 23 to July 6. The operation is proposed to take place from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily. This is the tenth year in a row “TNT Fireworks” has requested a temporary permit to operate a firework stand in Sandy. 

Sandy Night Out: August 2

D31 Foundation received approval to hold their annual Sandy Night Out fundraiser. The event is an all-day community gathering at 17455 Scales Avenue and the adjacent vacant lot. Both lots together have frontage on Proctor Blvd. and Scales Avenue in the City’s downtown.     

The applicant proposes setting up over twenty (20) tent pole canopies that will be occupied with several carnival games, food, and a variety of vendor tents that showcase local businesses. There will also be a stage to hold live music acts.

Code Enforcement Report:

• Business License and Rental License audit is complete. All known businesses and rentals are registered with the exception of four outstanding cases still processing.
• In early April, noxious vegetation notices were sent to recipients of past notifications regarding overgrown weeds on their properties. 
• Two citations were issued in April:
  • A street tree was removed with a street tree removal permit, but a replacement street tree was never planted.
  • The property owner to the east of the new section of 362nd Drive was cited for junk accumulation/attractive nuisances.

Thai Home Restaurant Deck Remodel: The owners of Thai Home received approval to remove and replace the existing deck and stairs attached to the Thai Home Restaurant located at 38676 Pioneer Blvd. in downtown Sandy. The new construction will remain in compliance with the requirements of the Downtown Design Standards. The deck is proposed to increase in size and receive a new reinforced solid railing and the crumbling concrete stairs will be removed and replaced with new reinforced wood steps. The increased size of the deck warrants the installation of a retaining wall to maintain a solid base and prevent the area beneath the footings from eroding. The retaining wall will be three (3) feet tall and constructed out of concrete. The entire site was subject to review and shall be brought closer to current commercial standards. This includes the lower level of the building which is proposed to be re-painted in compliance with the City of Sandy Color Palette and the installation of a stormwater device.

Deer Pointe Park: Deer Pointe Park was issued a final order on March 21. Deer Pointe Park is currently described and categorized as an “Undeveloped Park” in Sandy’s 2022 Parks and Trails Master Plan. The existing Deer Pointe Park, 1.41-acres, was combined with 1.75-acres of park dedication from an adjacent future development growing the park to approximately 3.16 acres. The park will border the eastside of Meadow Avenue and northside of Fawn Street. The park will be a focal point for the current Deer Pointe neighborhood residents and future development just east of the site. The submitted plans provide standard neighborhood park amenities including an accessible looped path, playground, multi-use field, picnic shelters and tables, and a sports court.

Building Division Update:
Permits Issued = 26
C of O’s Issued = 0
ERUs Issued = 7 for single family homes

Upcoming Pre-application Meetings: The Planning Division recently completed two large scale pre-application development reviews. Notes have been provided and meetings are scheduled to take place within the next two weeks.

• Tickle Creek View Apartments – The first pre-application involves a ±9.06-acre property located at 17151 SE 362nd Drive, between Hwy 26 and Dubarko Road. The property is inside the City’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) but outside city limits. The site has a comprehensive zoning map designation of Medium Density Residential. The applicant is asking for pre-application notes for annexation into the city, a partition, and a ninety-six (96) unit apartment complex. The annexation would be the first step in the development process. Due to the moratorium, new sanitary sewer connections cannot be made, and additional flows cannot be allowed; however, the City can review and approve an annexation.
• Bull Run Terrace Apartments Design Review – The second pre-application consists of a 192-unit apartment complex spread over three lots that will include an onsite commercial daycare center. This application is not subject to the moratorium on development adopted by Resolution 2022-24 because Bull Run Terrace was submitted prior to the effective date of the moratorium. This is the design review associated with the development of the site. This development will be adjacent to Deer Pointe Park and was the origin of the 1.75-acre park dedication that increased the size of the park to over three acres. The project will also facilitate the long-awaited extension of Dubarko Road to the east to intersect with Hwy 26.

Code Enforcement Report:

• 44 businesses renewed their licenses during the expired business license audit. Two (2) businesses failed to renew and were cited.
• There are currently eight (8) separate cases on mutilated, topped, and removed street trees that are being investigated to ensure replanting requirements have been met during the favorable planting season. 

Sandy Underground: The newest restaurant in Sandy at 38452 Proctor Blvd., that received $30,000 in Urban Renewal grant assistance, was granted a certificate of occupancy on January 10, 2025, and opened soon thereafter.

Deer Pointe Park Property Line Adjustment: The Planning Division approved a lot line adjustment of two vacant lots (see map), for the purposes of developing a neighborhood park called Deer Pointe Park. One of the parcels is currently Deer Pointe Park which is categorized as an “Undeveloped Park” in Sandy’s 2022 Parks and Trails Master Plan. The 1.41-acres of undeveloped park land was deeded to the City in 2007 as part of Deer Pointe Subdivision No. II. The second parcel was dedicated to the City in June of 2023 as part of Bull Run Terrace, a mixed-use development. The final order required the mixed-use development to make a 1.75-acre park dedication to the City which is adjacent to Deer Pointe Park.

The property line adjustment removed the existing common lot line and consolidated the two parcels into a single property resulting in approximately 3.16 acres. The resultant property will be used for park development purposes and allow structures to be sited where the common lot line currently exists.

Tickle Creek Terrace Condominiums Temporary Trailers: The developer requested and was approved for their second temporary structure renewal for both a construction and storage trailer. The previous two trailer approvals were located near the front of the development and highly visible to the public traveling Dubarko Road. With the latest approval, the applicant moved the location of the trailers further east on the site and out of the view of Dubarko Road. This will assist in moving this project closer to completion.

Building Division Update:
Permits Issued = 20
C of O’s Issued = 3 for new single family homes
ERUs Issued = 8 for single family homes and duplexes

Code Enforcement Report:

• One citation was issued in February for a property on Dubarko Road for a hazardous tree that posed a risk to the sidewalk and street. The City abated the issue after no action was taken by the property owner. The cost was added to the existing lien on the property.
• The property on the 17000 block of Bluff Road which is currently boarded up has been sold and the new owners took possession of the property on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
• The property on the 39000 block of Barker Court with a derelict motorhome, feral cat population, and several citations for junk accumulation is no longer in violation and is currently compliant with the municipal code, with the exception of the home that is being repaired. The motorhome was abated by the City. The junk accumulation on the property was abated by the property owner.
• The annual business license audit is currently underway. Any businesses without a current business license after March 31, 2025, will receive a citation. There are 42 outstanding businesses with expired licenses that have received a courtesy notification to hopefully avoid fines.

Mass Timber Presentation: The Planning Division, Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), and their consultant, MIG Associates, provided a presentation at a City Council / Planning Commission work session in February. In 2023, Sandy became one of ten jurisdictions to receive grant-funded Code-UP project technical assistance to identify needed updates to local development requirements, consistent with guidance and recommendations identified in the Oregon Prefabricated and Modular Housing Model Code and Audit Workbook.

The Code-UP project is a component of a wider initiative being led by the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition (OMTC) to promote the development of mass timber construction in Oregon. Mass timber modular housing is an innovative construction approach that combines the use of engineered wood products (mass timber) with the benefits of off-site modular or prefabricated construction. The Code-UP project is also occurring in conjunction with the Mass Timber Equitable Engagement project, which is intended to inform communities about mass timber modular housing and understand each community’s views and potential concerns related to mass timber. For more information and background on the Code-UP project, visit the Mass Timber Modular Housing Code-UP Project webpage.

Senate Bill 1537 (the variance bill): On January 24, the Planning Division submitted a 25-part questionnaire to the Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO) with the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), requesting an exemption from the “Mandatory Adjustments” required in Section 38 of Senate Bill 1537. SB 1537 requires cities to grant adjustments to specified development standards for qualified housing development proposals. The intention of the senate bill is to help increase housing production, affordability, and choice. Section 39 of SB 1537 allows HAPO to grant exemptions for cities that can show they’ve already approved at least 90 percent of the adjustments/variances received over the last five years. In completing the questionnaire, the City of Sandy showed a 100 percent approval of all 35 requested “adjustments and variances” to housing projects over the last five years. HAPO will take up to 120 days to render a decision on if the City of Sandy’s request for an exemption is approved. There will be a public comment period of 45 days. In the meantime, the City of Sandy was required to contact all contractors and builders to let them know that the City is awaiting a decision on the SB 1537 exemption request, and was required to create a webpage.

Building Division Update:
Permits Issued = 49
C of O’s Issued = 4 for new single family homes, 1 new duplex, and Sandy Underground
ERUs Issued = 14 for single family homes and duplexes

Eagle Park Façade Improvements: The Planning Division recently engaged with the owners of Eagle Park, the industrial park located on the southeast corner of Hwy 26 and 362nd Drive to assess the time frame on the completion of façade improvements that are part of a ten-year-old development agreement. The property includes six (6) buildings (see the below site plan). The Eagle Park Façade Improvements are directly linked to the owner’s zone change request in 2014. The owners request for a zone change from Light Industrial (I-2) to Industrial Park (I-1) was approved with the condition they go through a design review that would require a comprehensive upgrade of all building façades on the industrial campus. 

The approved building modifications incorporate Sandy Style design elements into the facades of these highly visible buildings (visible on Highway 26, 362nd Drive, and Industrial Way). In addition, the building modifications would allow for more diverse commercial uses with the eventual zone amendment to Industrial Park (I-1). After multiple extensions to the original final order were granted, the City is actively reviewing the progress and overall project parameters so that we can assist in bringing compliance to the project so all the conditions and goals of the development agreement will be accomplished. At this time, the zoning designation for the property will remain I-2, Light Industrial, until all of the conditions contained in the original order are completed.

Sandy Plaza Apartments: The developers of the Sandy Plaza Apartments have reached out to the City to inform us that they are preparing to re-start the eighteen (18) unit apartment complex after construction was halted several years ago. The apartments will be located north of Meeker Street and directly abut the Sandy High School athletic field drop off area. The Planning Division has met with multiple departments that are involved with the project to get their input on the halted stage of development. After gathering their input and reviewing the file, final order, and fees, staff sent a synopsis to the developer for their review. The developer is reviewing all of the comments compiled by the City departments.

2025-2027 Planning Commission Goals Discussion: On January 13, 2025, the Planning Division presented the Planning Commission with four pages of actions and policies taken directly from the Envision Sandy 2050 Comprehensive Plan, seeking input from the Commission on what to target for the remainder of the current biennium and biennial budget 2025-2027. The list of goals, policies, and actions that the Planning Division and Commission compiled were then shared with the City Council at their retreat and goal setting session on February 1.

Code Enforcement Report:

• 10 citations were issued in January for a property on Dubarko Road for junk accumulation. The City abated the issue after no action was taken by the property owner. 
• A house on Bluff Road south of Highway 26 remains boarded up and declared unsafe by the Building Official. The property has been sold to new owners who plan to renovate the existing house.
• An abatement notice for a derelict motorhome has been posted at a property on Barker Court. The City will remove the derelict motorhome and lien the property after a 10-day abatement notice period.
• McDonald’s restaurant was ordered to install a bicycle rack in compliance with the final order for when the remodel occurred a few years ago. They have completed the installation of the bicycle rack.

Code Enforcement Year End Report for 2024:

Code Enforcement for Development Services closed 451 cases in 2024.

• 144 Citations were issued with a total penalty amount of $172,300.
  • ($110,000 for house on Goldenrain Street)
  • ($22,000 for house on Dubarko Road)
• Liens were placed on 7 properties with a total penalty of $151,646.
• 4 accounts were sent to collection with a total penalty of $3,300.

Building Division Update:
Permits Issued = 26
C of O’s Issued = 7 for new single family homes
ERUs Issued = 1.4 for two apartments at Tickle Creek Village

Disinfection Building and Pump Station Upgrade Pre-App: The City Public Works Department is proposing to upgrade their existing water reservoir and pump station facility located at 17160 Revenue Avenue. The upgrades consist of adding a new four hundred (400) square foot structure to house two new chlorine tanks that require adding new pumps as well as upgrading the existing pumps. The City will also be modifying the input to the existing water reservoir tank in addition to upgrading outdated equipment. The review of the pump station will follow the minor modification process to the existing conditional use permit that was approved in 2012. The Planning Division will be holding a pre-application meeting with Public Works and their consultant in mid-January.

Deer Pointe Park Review: The Planning Division conducted a pre-application meeting to compile information for further review of a new park that will be called Deer Pointe Park. Deer Pointe Park is currently described and categorized as an “Undeveloped Park” in Sandy’s 2022 Parks and Trails Master Plan. The existing Deer Pointe Park can be described as 1.41-acres of undeveloped park consisting of open space and a few areas of tree stands. The undeveloped park described in the 2022 Parks and Trails Master Plan refers to Map/Tax Lot 25E18CC 13400 only.

On June 23, 2023, Bull Run Terrace, a mixed-use development, fulfilled their final order and completed a 1.75-acre parkland dedication (Deed No. 2023-021503) to the City. The total park area then grew to approximately 3.16 acres. The Deer Pointe Park concept as submitted by the Parks and Recreation Department consists of developing the entire site.

The park will border the eastside of Meadow Avenue and northside of Fawn Street that travels east and west before it turns south in the Bull Run Terrace subdivision. The site will be a focal point for the current Deer Pointe neighborhood residents and future development just east of the park site. The concept provides standard neighborhood park amenities including an accessible looped path, playground, multi-use field, picnic shelters and tables, and a sports court.