[{"_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",6162431,"mediaKeyId","5438600-3064a291e0a81aecac43085e985d70f8","parentId",5438600,"title","Residents urge pause on West Linn Waterfront vision plan, citing pond contamination, survey flaws and lack of distribution of public comments","audioSeconds",706,"startMs",2617000,"endMs",3323000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5438600-3064a291e0a81aecac43085e985d70f8&start=2617&end=3323","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5438600-3064a291e0a81aecac43085e985d70f8/thumbnail_2617000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6162431/West-Linn/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Residents-urge-pause-on-West-Linn-Waterfront-vision-plan-citing-pond-contamination-survey-flaws-and-lack-of-distribution-of-public-comments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162431-2086e024cc44676927a5e9a2b80670b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773592290&Signature=UJqmzC4KXxp1T9LAdBRKnqMdT~qhFrMMJRuO4BMnPZg8mYJC-GZnqF3AfdnrlULBxvhm1rXM0-SQL1PxEj9THOMsAQMWh~lF4x1v0jHT4ZCaVH7d7-IZe9k3xXmD27iqCd2s~rwHtDm6Z0anGWVnPSWwdRGIjAE9b7YIWGgo8Y5VoYidl-YHug0Su0RIpEILKCjbRtuRmgFNJGBhwO5d-78HI2FMWfPYIHW65TKlqQACf7YxSsfgdnK6LAm~xuQ20wd5hG1VJCXyqgPGPp1j17r8PcDbriIK4MaXUZXK5QjLc~Hmp0S53ntny5sgCFmD-2KLUd6S-rCMoaPLGaxBLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of West Linn, OR","date","2025-07-16T00:00:00Z","article","At the July 16 work session the Planning Commission heard public testimony urging a pause or rework of the draft West Linn Waterfront Vision Plan, primarily because of (1) unresolved environmental cleanup at pond sites, (2) perceived flaws in the public survey and distribution of public comments to working group members, and (3) apparent inconsistencies between the draft vision plan and the city’s comprehensive plan in the Ponds District.

Residents called for environmental investigation and remediation to precede further land‑use planning in the wetlands area. Russ Axelrod (former mayor and former planning commissioner) and Terrence Shoemaker (resident) said the Blue Heron pond site had not proceeded from a remedial investigation to a feasibility study and that the site may now show degrading lagoon integrity. Shoemaker said meetings with DEQ and independent observations raised “possible breaching of the lagoon levees by burrowing animals” and urged that “a thorough study of this site and clean up of the toxic waste should be completed prior to any kind of development.” Axelrod asked that public comments be distributed to working group members in accordance with the working group’s guidelines; he said some submitted comments were not provided to the working group.

Public comments also criticized the plan’s engagement instruments: several speakers said the online survey contained double‑barreled questions that combined preservation and development options, and that the engagement summary and draft plan did not clearly reflect the “overwhelming community preference” cited by some respondents to preserve the Ponds District as natural area and to prioritize wetland trails and viewing platforms.

Staff presentation and working group recommendation

Darren Weiss, planning staff, summarized the plan and its multi‑year engagement history. He said the draft plan organizes the waterfront into three planning districts (City Hall District, Cultural Heritage District, and Ponds District), restates guiding principles set in earlier outreach, and includes a market snapshot and mapped concepts. Weiss said the working group reached consensus to move the draft to council with five recommendations: add language addressing affordable housing, consider smart‑growth concepts, emphasize access, prioritize reuse of existing structures, and allow additional time for public feedback. He also noted that one working group member (identified in the record as a property owner) objected and that the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde did not take a position.

Weiss told commissioners the draft plan “was completed in June” and that the next steps include another Planning Commission work session on August 20, a Planning Commission public hearing on September 17, and tentative City Council consideration in November (council work sessions in October and a public hearing on November 10). Weiss also listed public outreach events: open houses on July 24 and July 31 and Farmer’s Market outreach dates.

Environmental and regulatory questions

Multiple speakers pressed for clarity about whether the ponds are a contaminated site requiring DEQ remediation before planning proceeds. Axelrod and Shoemaker described a previous remedial investigation conducted about ten years ago and said the feasibility study and cost evaluation steps did not follow; they recommended DEQ perform a new site assessment and feasibility study. Staff acknowledged the investigative steps taken previously and said the vision plan notes remediation and potential rezoning of pond sites would require additional evaluation.

Willamette Falls Trust and tribes

Speakers noted the Willamette Falls Trust’s role and recent legislative funding referenced in public testimony. Staff confirmed the Trust participated in the working group and that the Trust’s objectives emphasize public access to the falls; specific property acquisitions, priorities and timing were not specified at the meeting.

Public reaction and next steps

Several residents asked the commission to pause the plan schedule and return it for revision later in the year or in 2026 after more outreach and environmental assessment. Weiss said the packet includes an appendix with a comment matrix and engagement summary and encouraged commissioners to submit questions in writing ahead of the August 20 work session so staff could provide responses. The plan will return to the commission for further work on August 20; a public hearing is scheduled for September 17, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","West Linn Planning Commission July 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several residents and advocacy groups urged the Planning Commission to pause the Waterfront Vision Plan timeline until environmental cleanup and community‑engagement issues are addressed. Staff said the working group recommended moving the plan forward with five provisos and provided a tentative adoption timeline.","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},6162436,"Planning Commission records: May 21 and June 18 meeting notes approved with two abstentions on May 21",94,112000,206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5438600-3064a291e0a81aecac43085e985d70f8&start=112&end=206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5438600-3064a291e0a81aecac43085e985d70f8/thumbnail_112000.jpg","/articles/6162436/West-Linn/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Planning-Commission-records-May-21-and-June-18-meeting-notes-approved-with-two-abstentions-on-May-21","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162436-28419c32782a5c534e374a278242ff13/orig.mp4?Expires=1773592289&Signature=kyDlDWJvHf4V~qJxrJ0e2iPwg3IE6yUa7V7AQUvM-LEOTcp9BIbpi2f-95aYgPSZy3ZWjObDjKWeG0VfMXY1yepkTRt3BpJUfthRRiq636Fh9-PgAvjlVCxzQLjG8x~BxVNEUlaHCd-gq6nsihH~b71Mf07D-dpRMIFuI5uit9k~lGDNtsAzF3vD0c6~tK2x6cQVPurxN6nKgzy9pDGjLRJpiqxnXcIgV3rbumJq3GdGjVSVMWFwrPDXPukrAuCN8wigP3xAncpTp4wUHKY0R7jh6-uPKMUb5YlNW~uLPY0MFWMxLEfmDXqmrX-i28txdxnfzHqKvKpDQgnc0WALfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 16 meeting the Planning Commission approved the meeting notes from June 18, 2025 and May 21, 2025.

The June 18 minutes were moved, seconded and approved by roll call. Commissioner Jones abstained, saying they had not read the notes; other commissioners on the roll call voted in favor. The May 21 minutes were moved, seconded and approved by roll call. Commissioners Jones and Evans each abstained from the May 21 vote; Commissioners Wotton, Scholte Hill, Vice Chair Watney and Chair Madeline Matlin voted yes.

The approvals were recorded in the meeting record; staff will post the finalized minutes to the Planning Commission meeting archive.

","The commission approved minutes for June 18 and May 21, 2025. The May 21 minutes passed with two abstentions (Commissioners Jones and Evans); the June 18 minutes passed with one abstention (Commissioner Jones).",{"_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},6162441,"West Linn staff advance CDC 'cleanup' changes but pull limited land‑use decision proposal for attorney review",2092,346000,2438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5438600-3064a291e0a81aecac43085e985d70f8&start=346&end=2438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5438600-3064a291e0a81aecac43085e985d70f8/thumbnail_346000.jpg","/articles/6162441/West-Linn/Clackamas-County/Oregon/West-Linn-staff-advance-CDC-cleanup-changes-but-pull-limited-landuse-decision-proposal-for-attorney-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162441-2aa8249bbe4d18c9ddaba2e8de807c61/orig.mp4?Expires=1773592289&Signature=C0PqUdOIGejNG5c2JX0FUZAeTUJ~Et8qhrY2m2DWupD8X~Cz0~RT~G60uVxrOO8m0BXbUxyNW3Zt014bQQ7Dw72EkY-FqjimDjDQI8ca-ifHfjcF~xV-vOw3AXQ724fCfMg8iE7m7IjhVRrxGJpHnjYAgf1c7I9GlBTea0IYmhrGs5SIgV514J66uh3EYsErg~imvf1aiW8~vN73iqDb3S8JbVJEAw0ecIYFCGh5tTPzVxdBpn-aaebmD2r93kmXVfthxoQ2q80M5yRgn-qHzBPv5yDIXW-y9iDjDvetq8wKyX2Fvlfb2oJ7dQPOiZmlUcXgTjFV~Aykag7z~GLIwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its July 16 meeting, the West Linn Planning Commission heard a staff presentation on a package of Community Development Code (CDC) “cleanup” amendments and was told staff will move forward with three technical amendments while pulling a fourth, more substantive change for legal review.

The three topics staff proposed to carry forward are (1) clarified minimum/maximum density calculations and standardized definitions for “developable gross area” and “developable net area,” (2) a clarification to the partition minimum‑density exemption so a small land division cannot be used to evade minimum density requirements, and (3) new, objective standards to encourage rectilinear (square or rectangular) newly created lots. Planning staff said they will remove topic 4 — a proposed change to limited land‑use decisionmaking that would have shifted some Class 2 design reviews and subdivision decisions away from public hearings before the Planning Commission — and return that item after consultation with the city attorney.

Darren Weiss, planning staff, told the commission: “we're proposing to pull out topic 4 from the code amendment package, and just move forward with the first 3 topics, and then circle back to the planning commission with topic 4 after I can get together with the city attorney's office.” The Planning Commission scheduled a public hearing on topics 1–3 for August 6, 2025; topic 4 will be returned to the commission at a later date for discussion.

What staff would change

• Density calculations — Staff said there is no single, clear location in the CDC that shows how to calculate maximum and minimum density. The proposed edits create a single measurement section (CDC 5025) that defines developable gross and net area, excludes Type 1 and 2 lands, park land, rights‑of‑way and private streets from the net area, and preserves an existing option allowing applicants to subtract heritage or significant trees when calculating developable net area. The city’s existing 70% minimum density requirement would still apply once the net developable area is calculated.

• Partition minimum‑density exemption — Staff proposed clarifying language so that the statutory allowance to reduce zone capacity for a single parcel with negligible effect cannot be used to avoid minimum density by repeatedly claiming a three‑lot partition exemption. Weiss demonstrated with a numeric example that a 5‑acre site’s maximum and 70% minimum density can be calculated and that the current ambiguous language could be read to allow an applicant to avoid minimum density by limiting an application to three lots; the amendment would close that interpretive gap.

• Shape of new lots (rectilinear standard) — Staff proposed objective, illustrated standards to discourage irregular lot lines that create unusable land and to promote future street extension and predictable neighborhood form. The draft exempts unusual situations where rectilinear layout is “not practicable” because of a street radius, natural features (for example creek drainages), or existing lot lines.

Public testimony

Three members of the public addressed the commission during the CDC discussion and urged caution or action on the pulled item 4. Russ Axelrod, identified himself as a former mayor and former planning commissioner and said the package is being presented as required to comply with “Senate Bill 15 37 passed by the legislature in 2024” and warned that the limited‑decision proposal would “remove the Planning Commission from all class 2 design review and permitting applications, essentially eliminating the core and essential function of our planning commission.”

Terrence Shoemaker, a West Linn resident, told the commission the proposed change would give “approval/denial authority to one person, the planning director,” and called that “an unnecessary and drastic change” that could erode public trust and invite legal challenges. Nicole Jackson, another resident, echoed those comments and urged the commission to “pursue [an] exemption process under SB 15 37” or otherwise ensure public hearings remain available.

Staff and commissioner discussion

Commissioners asked staff to avoid discussing specifics of private property that might later come before the commission. Weiss said the city had received new guidance from the state Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and therefore wanted to discuss the limited‑decision topic with the city attorney before returning it to the commission. Commissioners clarified technical points — for example that “acres gross” and “acres net” will be replaced consistently with the developable gross/net terminology, and that heritage or significant trees may still be subtracted in the net area calculation if the applicant elects that option.

Formal actions and next steps

No ordinance or code amendment was adopted at the July 16 meeting. Staff announced a public hearing for topics 1–3 on August 6, 2025. Topic 4 (limited land‑use decisionmaking) was removed from the current package and will be returned to the commission after the city attorney reviews the new state guidance. Staff also listed the chapters that would be revised (definitions, Chapter 5 measurement rules, PUD chapter cross‑references, and design review/land division chapters).

Why it matters

Commissioners and residents framed the package as largely technical and clarifying, but public commenters and several commissioners flagged item 4 as substantive and potentially transformative for public participation and the Planning Commission’s role. The decision to remove topic 4 for attorney review reflects those concerns and creates a discrete next step — legal analysis — before the commission takes any action on a proposal that would shift decision authority.

Ending

Staff asked commissioners to submit any further questions in writing before the August public hearing so staff could circulate answers in advance. The commission reserved further discussion of topic 4 until after the city attorney’s guidance is received.

","Planning staff presented Community Development Code clarifications on density calculations, partition exemptions and lot shape standards and said they would remove a proposed change to limited land‑use decision authority for further review after public comment raised concerns about removing the Planning Commission from class 2 design review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge pause on West Linn Waterfront vision plan, citing pond contamination, survey flaws and lack of distribution of public comments

Planning Commission records: May 21 and June 18 meeting notes approved with two abstentions on May 21

West Linn staff advance CDC 'cleanup' changes but pull limited land‑use decision proposal for attorney review