West Linn planning commission narrows Vision 43 focus areas, signals support for housing and design rules along Highway 43

At a work session Wednesday, April 16, the West Linn Planning Commission reviewed the Vision 43 Highway 43 corridor planning project and agreed to remove Focus Area 2 from consideration while giving staff direction on boundaries and three draft policy questions that will guide mixed‑use code drafting.

The discussion centered on a 3.3‑mile stretch of Highway 43 between the Lake Oswego–West Linn border and the I‑205 overpass. City planner Chris Myers told commissioners the purpose of the meeting was “to gather some feedback ... regarding 3 different things or 3 primary topics”: removing Focus Area 2, drawing the boundaries for Focus Areas 1–4, and answering three policy questions to forward to city council on May 2.

Myers said Vision 43 focuses on land uses adjacent to the highway — not highway pavement — and aims to create more walkable pathways, denser housing opportunities, and spaces for local businesses. “We are looking to create opportunities for more local businesses,” he said. He noted the project has generated extensive public engagement, asking commissioners to consider policy direction as consultants draft new mixed‑use code intended for adoption around December 2025.

Why it matters: decisions on Vision 43 will shape allowable uses, building scale and design along a key commercial corridor, and could influence future housing supply, pedestrian access and eligibility for Metro town‑center funding. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized balancing new development with neighborhood transitions and the practical…