Beaverton Planning Commission Meeting: Third and Washington Public Parking Designation Change – September 2, 2026
Beaverton Planning Commission Meeting – September 2, 2026
The Beaverton Planning Commission met on September 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM to conduct a public hearing on a single agenda item: a new conditional use application (LU 32026-00547 / CUN 32026-00546) to re-designate the existing parking lot at Third and Washington from library-only to public parking. Commissioners Holmes, McAvoy, McCann, Winter, and Chair Adams participated; Commissioners Speck and Mettler were excused. After presentations, no public testimony, and deliberation, the commission unanimously approved the application subject to the conditions in the staff report.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public testified in favor, opposition, or neither in favor nor opposed, either in person or via Zoom.
Discussion Items
- Staff Presentation: Senior Planner Steve Regner explained that the application seeks to convert the existing library-auxiliary parking lot (119–121 spaces) into a standalone public parking lot serving Old Town. No physical changes are proposed; only signage will be updated. The lot has an average daily occupancy of about 25%. The change aligns with the city’s downtown parking plan (Strategy 7: Optimize Existing Assets) and the 2023 elimination of parking minimums. Staff found compliance with Comprehensive Plan goals (vibrant downtown, efficient transportation, urban lifestyle center) and compatibility with the neighborhood based on 25 years of operational history. Staff recommended approval.
- Applicant Presentation: Parking Manager Molly Rabinovitz elaborated that the lot is one of three library lots; the East Library lot (≈190 spaces) and a small staff lot remain unchanged. The West Library lot currently averages 25% usage. The farmers market will continue as scheduled, and existing EV charging stations (six plugs) remain. The request is to change the land use designation to “parking as a principal use” (Type III conditional use) to allow broader public use, including visitors to City Park and nearby businesses.
- Commissioner Questions: Clarifications included that the lot would remain free (deferred to applicant for policy), that ownership stays with the city, and that the farmers market agreement is unaffected. Commissioners also noted that while parking minimums are eliminated, the city could voluntarily reserve spaces for the library, but that is not required for this approval.
Key Outcomes
- Motion: Commissioner Holmes moved to approve application LU 32026-00547 / CUN 32026-00546, subject to the conditions in the staff report and supplemental memo from September 2, 2026. Commissioner McCann seconded.
- Vote: Unanimous approval (5-0). Commissioners Holmes, McCann, McAvoy, Winter, and Chair Adams voted aye.
- Next Steps: The commission's decision will be memorialized in land use orders. Appeals must be filed per the Beaverton Development Code and LUBA rules. The city will proceed with signage changes and officially advertise the lot as public parking. Adjourned at 6:51 PM.
Meeting Transcript
For the record, I will do a roll call to verify which commission members are participating this evening. Commissioner Holmes. Present. Commissioner McAvoy. Present. Commissioner McCann. Present. Commissioner Mettler. Commissioner Winter. And the Chair. Let the record show that Commissioners Speck and Mettler are excused in absence from the meeting tonight. We are now at Commission Communications. Commission, any communications. Looks like no communications. We are now at staff communications. Staff, any communications. Good evening, Chair Anna Slatinski Planning Manager, Planning Division Manager. Perfect. Thank you. The first item on the agenda is a public hearing on the application for LU 32026-00547. Third and Washington Public Parking Case File Number C UN 32026-00546. Before we move to the substance of the hearing, I will ask the city attorney to cover the pre-hearing matters. Thank you, Chair. The applicant has the burden of proving that the applications are consistent with the Beaverton Development Code, comprehensive plan, and any applicable Beaverton Code provision. The criteria that must be addressed in the hearing are development code sections 40.03.14.15.15.5C, new conditional use. Testimony arguments and evidence must be directed toward these approval criteria or other criteria in the comprehensive plan or development code that the speaker believes apply to the application. Failure to raise an issue accompanied by statements or evidence sufficient to allow the planning commission and other interested parties an opportunity to respond may preclude an appeal to the land use board of appeals based on that issue. Anyone who submits written comments or gives oral testimony has standing to appeal this decision. Failure of the applicant to raise constitutional or other issues related to proposed conditions of approval with sufficient specificity or to allow the city to respond may preclude an action for damages in circuit court. State and local law require commissioners to make certain disclosures. To these ends, the following questions will be asked. Does any commissioner have a potential potential or actual conflict of interest, ex parte contacts or site visits to declare? Chair Adams. No to all three. Commissioner Holmes. No to all three. Commissioner McCann. No to all three. Commissioner McAvoy. No to all three. Commissioner Winter. No to all three. Does any member of the audience wish to qu question a commissioner about ex parte contacts or site visits or challenge the right of any commissioner to participate in this hearing? Nobody online. Okay, let the record show no response. The order of the public hearing tonight will be as follows. First, city staff will give a presentation followed by commissioners' questions of staff staff. Second, the applicant will be given 20 minutes for its presentation, followed by Commissioner's questions of the applicant. Third, members of the public in support of the application may speak for up to five minutes each. Fourth, members of the public opposed the application may speak for up to five minutes each.
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