Beaverton Planning Commission Meeting – August 5, 2026: PUD Boundary Modifications and Tree Removal Appeal
Beaverton Planning Commission Meeting – August 5, 2026
The Beaverton Planning Commission met on August 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM and adjourned at 9:08 PM. The meeting included two public hearings: the first for a boundary modification of two planned unit developments (PUDs) in the Shoals Heights and Shoals Valley Heights neighborhoods, and the second for an appeal of a director's decision approving a tree removal plan for the Williams Court Subdivision. Both items resulted in unanimous votes.
Staff Communications
- Planning Division Manager Anna Latinsky announced that the City of Beaverton's Night Market would occur on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. at The Round, weather permitting.
- Extra staff were present for training, and patience was requested for potential procedural delays.
Hearing 1: LU 32026-00094 – Shoals Heights and SVH PUD Boundary Modifications
This proposal involved adjusting the boundaries of two existing PUDs to reconfigure lots, creating two additional buildable lots from a previously non-buildable tract. The applicant, representing the developer, stated the goal was to create better-shaped lots for homes. No public testimony was offered. The commission unanimously approved the application subject to staff's recommended conditions of approval.
Hearing 2: APP 2026-00583 – Appeal of Williams Court Subdivision Tree Plan
This appeal challenged the director's approval of a Tree Plan 2 application to remove 12 community trees (out of 55 on the site) to facilitate construction of duplexes on a previously approved 9-lot subdivision. The appellant (neighbors) argued that the decision erred because the city code's stated purpose is to protect the aesthetic benefits of trees, and that alternatives existed (e.g., the original single-family plan). The applicant engineer explained that the lot configurations and grading constraints left no reasonable alternative for preserving the trees. Staff recommended denying the appeal and adding two conditions: (1) requiring the applicant to obtain written consent from neighboring property owners before removing any tree found straddling a property line, and (2) requiring tree protection fencing for any such retained tree. During deliberation, commissioners expressed concerns about other trees potentially straddling property lines, prompting staff to draft a third condition: requiring a stamped survey to verify that all 12 trees are fully on the subject property, with any straddling tree requiring neighbor consent or preservation with fencing.
Public Testimony
- Robert Taylor, a neighbor, testified about a large English walnut tree on his property (not among the 12 to be removed). He argued that development activities would damage its root system, potentially harming the tree. He asked for meaningful root protection.
- Ariana Mahmoodi, also a neighbor, emphasized the tree's aesthetic and ecological value and urged consideration of long-term impacts.
- William Baum, another neighbor, stated that removing the final 12 mature trees would be a clearcut, contradicting city goals for tree canopy and climate mitigation.
Key Outcomes
- First Hearing (PUD Boundary Mods): Approved unanimously with staff conditions.
- Second Hearing (Tree Plan Appeal): The commission vote was 4-0 to deny the appeal (i.e., uphold the director's decision), subject to the three conditions articulated by staff:
- Prior to removal of any of the 12 community trees, the applicant shall provide a stamped survey confirming trees are fully on the subject property. Trees straddling a property line may only be removed with written neighbor consent.
- For any straddling tree that is retained, tree protection fencing per BDC 60.20 shall be installed, with alternative plans allowed if approved by the city arborist.
- The conditions apply to all 12 community trees and any adjoining parcel.
- The decision will be memorialized in land use orders; appeals must follow LUBA rules.
- Staff announced the August 19 meeting will include a presentation on the Beaverton Climate Action Plan and a training on tree regulations.
Meeting Transcript
Do I have a second? I second. It's been moved and seconded that uh Commissioner McCann act as chair for tonight's meeting. Is there any discussion on the motion? Okay. Let's take a vote. A vote will be uh taken by roll call when your name is called. Please say aye if in favor or nay if opposed. Commissioner Holmes. Aye. Commissioner McCann. Aye. Commissioner McAvoy. Aye. Commissioner Speck. Aye. Motion passes. Okay. Chair. You may take Acting Chair McCann, you may take over. All right. Thank you very much. Greetings. Now is the time and place for a meeting of the Beaverton Planning Commission. For the record, I will do roll call to verify which Commission members are participating this evening. Commissioner Holmes. Present. Commissioner Speck. Here. Commissioner McIntyre. Whoa. Commissioner McMahon. Let the record show that Commissioners add a and I'm here as well. Let the records show that Commissioner Adam is absent and excused this evening, and uh Commissioner Winter is not here at this time. So we are now at Commission Communications. Commission, are there any communications tonight? All right. None. We will move on to staff communications. Staff, are there any any communications this evening? Good evening, Honest Latinsky, Planning Division Manager. I just have two things to share. One of them is that we have some extra staff here doing some training. So if things maybe are a little bit um need a little bit of time to work out during during this hearing, I thank everyone for their patience. It gives us an opportunity to make sure we have enough staff that can uh run the meeting and all the various pieces of technology that need to be in place. And I also want to um just remind folks uh if they're already aware or uh share if they're not that this weekend Beaverton is having uh one of its most uh beloved community events, which is the night market. It's on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. right out here in the round. The air quality should be improved by then. So hopefully um you'll consider coming out and um and enjoying the diverse entertainment and vendors that will that will be out there.
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