The Westland Planning Commission voted unanimously Aug. 6 to recommend that City Council approve CDC 25-01, a set of amendments to Chapters 2, 5, 24, 55, 85 and 99 of the Westland Community Development Code that clarify rules for density calculations, a partition minimum-density exemption and the required shape for newly created parcels.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council; Council is scheduled to receive a briefing Sept. 15 and hold a final public hearing Oct. 13, 2025. No members of the public testified during the Planning Commission hearing.

Why it matters: The package aims to make Westland’s requirements for calculating developable area, minimum and maximum residential density and lot shape “clear and objective,” staff said, to reduce conflicting interpretations and to ensure compliance with the Metro Urban Growth Management Functional Plan, which requires cities in the region to adopt minimum-density standards.

Planning staff explained the three topics covered by CDC 25-01. On density calculations, staff proposed adding definitions for “developable gross area” and “developable net area,” and a single measurement section in Chapter 5 that specifies what land to exclude when calculating developable net area (for example, Type I/II lands, parkland, rights-of-way and private streets) and how to measure segmented lots. “The city’s minimum density standard is 70% for the city of Westland,” planning staff said, noting the new language would provide one location in the code to perform both minimum- and maximum-density calculations.

On the partition exemption, staff said the current code’s wording has been interpreted inconsistently and could allow small divisions that materially reduce a site’s effective capacity. The proposed amendment to Chapter 85 would require the minimum-density calculation first; only after that calculation is performed would the partition exemption apply. Staff said that if the calculation results in three parcels or fewer, the exemption could then apply and allow a division that yields fewer than the 70% minimum (for example, two parcels equal about 66%).

On lot shape, the amendments add a definition of “rectilinear” and require new parcel lines to be rectilinear except where impracticable because of existing lines, street radii or natural features. Staff said the change is intended to avoid irregular, unusable remnants created by jogs in property lines and to support coherent future street and development patterns.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about how a large property owner could carve off a portion of a parcel without preventing the remainder from meeting minimum-density requirements. Planning staff said Chapter 85 allows phased development procedures to demonstrate that a land division will not inhibit the ability to meet minimum density across the whole site; Community Development Director Steve Cooper and staff also referred to “shadow platting” as an available approach to achieve phased outcomes.

After deliberation, a commissioner moved to recommend City Council adopt CDC 25-01 by adopting the ordinance as presented by planning staff; another commissioner seconded. The motion passed on a recorded vote of six yes votes and no no or abstentions.

The complete record of the hearing will be forwarded to City Council for its consideration; the Planning Commission will also provide a draft transmittal letter and the hearing exhibits included with the staff report.

Notes: The hearing included a presentation of the draft ordinance and exhibits, a statement from the city attorney on applicable state and regional authorities (including ORS 197 and the Metro functional plan) and confirmation that parties who participate in hearings retain potential standing for any appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals if they wish to preserve that right.