The West Linn City Council convened on November 4, 2024, to discuss critical amendments to the city’s code, particularly focusing on the appeals process for development permits. This session marked a significant step in addressing compliance issues with state statutes and enhancing the equity of the appeals process.

City staff presented a comprehensive overview of four key topics that had been under review: the appeal process, extensions of approval for past development permits, home occupations, and revisions to the expedited and middle housing land division codes. The Planning Commission had previously met multiple times to refine these topics, ultimately recommending a package of code amendments to the council.

A major highlight of the discussion was the need for specificity in the appeals process. Currently, there is no requirement for appellants to specify the grounds for their appeals, which has led to vague statements that complicate public hearings. Council members expressed concerns about the potential liabilities and inefficiencies this lack of clarity could create. The council is considering amendments that would require appellants to identify specific code criteria they believe have been violated or misinterpreted.

The council also discussed the possibility of retaining a de novo hearing process, which allows for new information to be introduced during appeals. This approach aims to ensure that all relevant details are considered, even if they were not part of the original application. However, the Planning Commission opted to keep the process open-ended, allowing for broader discussions during appeals.

Additionally, there was interest in revisiting the concept of appointing a hearings officer to streamline the appeals process, although this topic was previously set aside. Council members indicated a desire to explore this option further in future sessions.

The council plans to hold a public hearing on the proposed code amendments on December 9, 2024, with the potential for additional work sessions if needed. This ongoing dialogue reflects the council's commitment to improving the development review process and ensuring fair and transparent governance in West Linn.