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.