[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6074501,"mediaKeyId","2984141-c624694154f2a3f6cc6457d8c0a9a057","parentId",2984141,"title","Council hears housing-production strategy draft; construction excise tax draws split reaction","audioSeconds",884,"startMs",940000,"endMs",1824000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2984141-c624694154f2a3f6cc6457d8c0a9a057&start=940&end=1824","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2984141-c624694154f2a3f6cc6457d8c0a9a057/thumbnail_940000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6074501/West-Linn/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Council-hears-housing-production-strategy-draft-construction-excise-tax-draws-split-reaction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074501-41aad643d5d73e2ab04d39cf4cf80c62/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170737&Signature=m2-fbwle0Mw4JhKMwY59HEkl~0fWkik2vLlwIXvFfLQ1b-taLEubKjJ2b6cKI2Xezk-8hyTJnNEs5~nr2DPZNa4dGWd~ZojEzmVSgmNzA1Pjmn8qvsajgf5pW3cwdjiT2tYS14xtjTxNyL9mt~~8-HiffRlwY74dJmF99dvgo6RUEBaUES-6RD2v~qU-2uLtkJYavX7O9FEIxVkGuRrmVw8440lIfTopW8OdwGdHSQayTeCumEpnT8z1pw94DRrRIh7DtuE-DMPjSPoA0I~-48uC00Dj9hk10da9MLjGGv7ga~JGADrXbhefv-w8v7SZWPz3l3dTBQAaxvkfko5U3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of West Linn, OR","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","West Linn city staff and consultants presented a public-review draft of a Housing Production Strategy (HPS) on Feb. 18 and asked the Planning Commission and City Council for feedback on proposed actions to increase housing supply over the next six years.

Matt Hasty of MIG and Bridal Buckley of Johnson Economics walked commissioners and councilors through a 12-item strategy package that ranges from rezoning and code updates to tax abatement tools, public–private partnerships and financing options. The report also includes information the city is required to submit under the state’s administrative rules for housing production strategies, such as evaluating fair and equitable housing outcomes and monitoring plans.

The presentation gave particular attention to the construction excise tax (CET), a locally imposed tax on new construction that can finance affordable housing programs. Bridal Buckley explained how a 1.0% CET on permit value (the residential cap for Oregon is 1% under current rules) could generate, based on five-year average permitting activity, roughly $300,000 per year for West Linn if applied at 1% for both residential and commercial. Staff emphasized that residential CETs in Oregon are capped at 1% of permit value while commercial CETs are not capped.

Consultants and staff said adopting a CET requires an ordinance and administrative set-up but does not require voter approval. State rules require specific allocations of CET revenue, including use for development incentives in some instances, and the HPS includes options for exemptions and targeted uses such as backfilling SDC (system development charge) exemptions for affordable projects.

Reaction at the meeting reflected the split recorded in the project working group. Members with experience in affordable housing development supported CET as a revenue source that helps stack financing and leverage state and federal funds. Developers, including members of the Home Builders Association, warned a CET increases development costs and may be passed on to buyers in an already high-cost market. Planning Commissioner Tom Wotton said West Linn’s limited developable land and market conditions mean a CET could primarily increase costs for buyers rather than unlock significant new private development. Other commissioners urged pairing any CET with reductions or restructuring of SDCs to avoid double charges.

Councilors and Planning Commission members also discussed alternative or complementary measures the draft recommends: rezoning to allow more housing types, scaling SDCs by house size or deferring SDC payment until certificate of occupancy, multi-unit tax exemptions, tax increment financing tied to riverfront redevelopment, and creation of a local affordable-housing fund.

Consultants said the HPS is not final; it will be revised based on feedback and then proceed through additional work sessions, hearings and ultimately adoption steps. Staff said the city must demonstrate progress on the strategies under state monitoring; removing CET from the package now would require the city to identify other actions to meet state expectations. The council asked staff to return with additional analysis and outreach; several members suggested allowing the public and stakeholders to weigh in further before the city adopts any local tax or major incentive program.

No formal votes were taken on the HPS at the meeting; staff will prepare a revised draft that incorporates the commission and council feedback and will schedule public hearings for adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","West Linn City Council Special Meeting February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff and consultants presented a draft Housing Production Strategy on Feb. 18 that proposes 12 strategies to increase housing supply; the construction excise tax (CET) drew mixed reactions from developers, affordable-housing advocates and commissioners.","taxTitle","West Linn, Clackamas County, Oregon","taxId",54065,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074496,"West Linn holds public forum on Oppenlander property; council declines rushed May bond and seeks more options",6573,4559000,11132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2984141-c624694154f2a3f6cc6457d8c0a9a057&start=4559&end=11132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2984141-c624694154f2a3f6cc6457d8c0a9a057/thumbnail_4559000.jpg","/articles/6074496/West-Linn/Clackamas-County/Oregon/West-Linn-holds-public-forum-on-Oppenlander-property-council-declines-rushed-May-bond-and-seeks-more-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074496-cec0db70bed1af2e39a7e4173bace347/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170737&Signature=osBIy48znwxAq0EV8i98k-~9ix6aLzViKF01USz889rFwwlQi14ubwKzweGa9wNAg5SL1huBt0pKVYLwTkqoAypL4sbOgUq35KKcoFp8Dlju9c3RlJ5cXcMQ7MF0AcXOBNRP2WyF-pv~kemnAGwhePeyXlIj7M40YBw4Yws8Y6C1QRi1-Zn9mrrkmZMcGs3l6BAQXrB59Wjj30U20nXjkZ69F0EoZVq1a914NFaRMPmOJk8pVzKWtbIL6HunIg38g1rzCdnU4usSM09z8ja0cATiOjk1yH4uKOX6F6A7bThxZjUTYydYIB~2XSKAltDGXb35L9JvltSECEVpGVROag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Linn City Council convened a public listening session on Feb. 18 to gather community comment and consider options for the 10-acre Oppenlander site after the school district offered the city a letter of intent with a purchase timeline and a new appraisal-based asking price.

Mayor Saskia Bielandszkowski told the meeting the district’s most recent letter of intent gave the city until May to enter a purchase and sale agreement at a new asking price, and noted the updated appraisal raised the district’s expected price to $7,900,000 (district-stated figure). Several public speakers, local sports associations and children who use the park urged the council to preserve Oppenlander as open space and playing fields.

Dean (Friends of Oppenlander) and representatives of West Linn Baseball described the site’s community value. West Linn Baseball’s vice president, Seamus Barron, told the council the park provides three youth-sized fields and 2 senior regulation-size baseball fields; losing Oppenlander would eliminate half of available senior fields and “would cripple the program at the senior level.” Multiple resident speakers, including children, described Oppenlander as a unique local site for sports, recreation and neighborhood gatherings and urged the council to pursue purchase.

Speakers and advocates proposed several financing options: (1) use the city’s existing $3.5 million bond proceeds to acquire part or all of Oppenlander (the 2022 voter-authorized bond the council previously approved); (2) pursue a second local bond measure to raise the district’s asking price; (3) explore private fundraising or public–private development partnerships that would dedicate a portion of the site as a park; and (4) decline acquisition and focus funds on other priorities. Developer Icon Construction presented a compromise concept: a subdivision that would dedicate roughly the rear 3 acres as a park with two ballfields while developing the front 7 acres to create housing; the developer proposed to deliver an improved park as part of the subdivision and to use SDC credits or other mechanisms to offset public costs.

City staff provided updated ballpark capital and operating cost estimates for converting and maintaining the site as parkland. Parks staff estimated initial capital expenses for a fully developed park (restroom, play structures, drainage, pathways, surfacing and other amenities) could reach several million dollars, noting a wide contingency because no architectural design or engineering was complete. Staff also presented annual maintenance costing assumptions (frequent mowing, restroom cleaning, playground inspections and athletic-field upkeep) and noted adding the site to the city’s inventory would require additional maintenance funding or reallocation of existing services.

Several council members and participants stressed time pressure: the district’s letter set a May deadline for entering a purchase agreement tied to their timetable. Councilors said the deadline compressed the city’s options and asked whether a May ballot could be pursued; staff explained the procedural deadline to submit a ballot title for the May election would arrive within eight days, making a rushed May bond difficult and presenting significant legal and administrative risk.

Speakers urged multiple approaches: Friends of Oppenlander said they support a second bond and pledged fundraising support; others urged negotiations, land swaps or developer-led park dedication. Several councilors emphasized the need for more time for public deliberation and deep vetting of private partnership proposals. Councilors said they would not commit to a May ballot measure under the current timeline. Instead, the council signaled a preference to continue exploring options — including developer proposals, potential land swaps (for example, Parker Road property), fundraising and a November ballot — and asked staff to return with analysis, cost refinements and a schedule for additional public engagement.

There was no formal council vote to acquire the property or to place a bond on the May ballot at the meeting. City staff noted the district’s timeline and said they would continue to communicate with the district; the council asked staff to continue work on alternatives and to schedule follow-up meetings so the community and council can evaluate options carefully before any final decision.","At a public forum on Feb. 18, West Linn residents and user groups urged the City Council to keep the 10-acre Oppenlander site as parkland; councilors declined to pursue a rushed May bond and asked staff to further evaluate alternatives including private partnerships, land swaps and a potential November ballot.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074506,"West Linn Youth Advisory Council urges city to prioritize sidewalk connectivity and safety",431,131000,562000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2984141-c624694154f2a3f6cc6457d8c0a9a057&start=131&end=562","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2984141-c624694154f2a3f6cc6457d8c0a9a057/thumbnail_131000.jpg","/articles/6074506/West-Linn/Clackamas-County/Oregon/West-Linn-Youth-Advisory-Council-urges-city-to-prioritize-sidewalk-connectivity-and-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074506-4e43bb0eb3131c586b9ac75521e40279/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170737&Signature=HVt96GS0hdOTVSxYr41n1T5bGgUY6~AShGDQfI5kl-DCbJGUskWQrkYeDO2yHoosQjoxay0zBSOdsm-UYG1ghz7OoanG2W4XGQH-c9uiowezt9RQ0cZme4xpZwoyuW0hsVC714tRLKXZzdjDBW-u90M6N1WNIPHIoOCchCS1RLJ09cxXvJJBQ0KznMk7uBIpZRBwy-eoHI0YRY29QfM~Fc~9IXzFEL1GqdzW2-JVkYKsXDBlovSP42oL8I~zf6LTnIoK0OksovkZFI9MOHWxvlbI4LvqUoBdwNG6et5DUKea6nV~~A2UqyVR0cloYroqdUy0OIItkdgxFNODSvnUUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the West Linn Youth Advisory Council told the City Council on Feb. 18 that gaps and poor maintenance in the city’s sidewalk network make walking and biking unsafe for students, seniors and people with disabilities.

The youth presentation, delivered by council members including Brooklyn Car Lawyer, Misha Rana, Ruby Fassett and Zachary Santoso, highlighted several neighborhoods where sidewalks are broken or missing — including portions of Bolton, Cedar Oak, Pimlico and Rosemont Road — and urged the council to increase funding for sidewalk repairs and connectivity projects.

The youths noted that many younger residents rely on walking and bicycling because they cannot drive. “We want parents of our city to feel safe letting their kids walk to school,” Ruby Fassett said. The group pointed to specific hazards: sidewalks that end abruptly, cracked or narrow pathways that do not meet accessibility standards, and bus stops that lack adjacent sidewalks so riders must step into the street.

The Youth Advisory Council tied its recommendation to the city’s adopted transportation goals — safety, mobility and access, equity and maintenance — and asked the council to include sidewalk connectivity in upcoming transportation funding discussions. Council members and Mayor Saskia Bielandszkowski responded positively: Council President Baumgardner said the youth testimony was “awesome and very timely,” and the mayor said the council will use the recommendation in upcoming joint discussions with the Transportation Advisory Board.

Councilors acknowledged the financial constraints involved in building and maintaining sidewalks. Councilor Bonington reminded the council that a backlog of proposed sidewalk projects exceeds 100 items and that funding will determine how quickly the city can address those needs. Several councilors suggested near-term steps such as targeted maintenance, “slow streets” signage and better shared-street treatments in neighborhoods where full sidewalk construction would be costly.

The council invited the Youth Advisory Council to participate in a joint meeting with the Transportation Advisory Board planned for April 21 to present testimony and to help shape the city’s funding priorities for sidewalks and road improvements.

The presentation ended with the youth asking the city to prioritize safe, accessible sidewalks “so our seniors and kids and people with disabilities can walk safely around the city,” and council members thanking them for their work and asking staff to keep them involved as the transportation program advances.","Members of the West Linn Youth Advisory Council presented a recommendation to the City Council calling for more funding and planning to repair, extend and connect sidewalks—particularly in older neighborhoods—to improve safety and access for children, seniors and people with disabilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears housing-production strategy draft; construction excise tax draws split reaction

West Linn holds public forum on Oppenlander property; council declines rushed May bond and seeks more options

West Linn Youth Advisory Council urges city to prioritize sidewalk connectivity and safety