Tualatin City Council Meeting – July 27, 2026

The Tualatin City Council met on July 27, 2026, to discuss updates to the city's clear and objective housing code, a proposed building fee schedule adjustment, and to consider advisory committee appointments. The meeting began with intern introductions, road closure announcements, and public comment on e-bike safety and a nuisance business. The council approved a consent agenda, gave direction on code amendments, directed a 15% building fee increase, and approved student advisory appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The council unanimously approved the work session and regular meeting minutes of July 13, 2026.
• Clean Water Services IGA: Resolution 5982-26 authorizing the city manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement with Clean Water Services for final design and construction of the Martinazzi Sanitary Sewer Trunk line upsizing priorities three and four was adopted.
• Metro IGA: Resolution 5988-26 authorizing the city manager to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Metro accepting $740,000 for an urban design framework and updated downtown design standards was adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Beth Dittman (project manager for Safety Town Twilight) spoke on behalf of a coalition addressing e-bike safety. She reported that the coalition includes representatives from the city, police, school district, Randall Children's Hospital, Safe Routes to School, and others. The group has developed a middle school education campaign launching this fall, including assemblies, classroom lessons, helmet fittings, and a passport incentive program. A community listening session is scheduled for October 27 at Hazelbrook Middle School. Dittman requested a future council work session to share findings after the listening session.
• Casey Light (Tualatin resident and veteran) presented public safety concerns regarding Tualatin Station Bar and Grill, citing official dispatch records showing 50 police dispatches in 11 months, with over 65% occurring between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. He documented physical assaults, DUIs, a hit-and-run, an overdose, and other incidents. Light formally submitted dispatch logs and requested three actions: directed enforcement during peak hours, an OLCC and nuisance review of the business’s liquor license, and interagency coordination to establish enforceable noise and security protocols.

Discussion Items

• Clear and Objective Code Project Update: Planning staff and consultant Kate Rogers (MIG) presented updates to the development code to comply with Oregon state law (ORS 197A400) requiring clear and objective approval pathways for housing. Key policy questions addressed:
  • Multifamily Review Process: Under new state law HB 4037, clear and objective housing applications cannot require a public hearing or third-party appeal. The planning commission recommended option two: apply a modified administrative procedure (type 2x) with scaled public notice (100 feet for under 20 units, up to 500 feet for 20+ units) for all multifamily projects regardless of size. Council members expressed support for option two, citing transparency, though several councilors strongly criticized the state law for limiting local control and community input. Councilor Brooks characterized the law as “crap” and advocated for returning power to local jurisdictions.
  • Housing in CR (Commute/Recreational Commercial) Zone: The CR zone near the Tualatin River and Highway 99 currently allows multifamily and manufactured dwelling parks only through conditional use. The planning commission recommended prohibiting new housing in this zone due to floodplain concerns and the zone's commercial purpose. Council members generally agreed, noting historical recreational use and flood risks. Councilor Hillier clarified that cannabis facilities are not permitted in the CR zone adjacent to residential areas. The council concurred with the prohibition.
• Building Division Fee Schedule Adjustment: Building Official Samantha Vandegriff presented a proposal to increase building permit fees by 10%, 15%, or 20% to better fund the building department’s special revenue fund and maintain an 18-month contingency reserve. The department has been understaffed with one open inspector position and has seen a spike in activity from large developments (Autumn Sunrise and LAM) that is expected to taper off. A jurisdictional comparison showed Tualatin fees would remain competitive. Council discussion focused on balancing cost recovery with affordability for small projects and attracting development. Councilor Gonzalez expressed concern about adding costs to housing. Councilor Brooks asked about small-project impacts. Mayor and others noted the importance of reserves and competitive positioning with nearby cities like Sherwood and Gresham. Council directed staff to return with a 15% fee increase and include a continuation of the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) mechanism.
• Advisory Committee Appointments: Councilors Reyes and Pratt presented recommendations from the council committee on advisory appointments. The council unanimously approved Jay Norris as the student representative on the Library Advisory Committee and Kazia Atoli O’Toly as the student representative on the Arts Advisory Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Adopted unanimously (all four items).
• Code Update Policy Direction: Council supported the planning commission’s recommendation to use type 2x review for all multifamily clear and objective projects (option two) and to prohibit new housing in the CR zone. Staff will incorporate this direction and return with a revised code update for adoption by end of year.
• Building Fee Increase: Staff directed to prepare an ordinance for a 15% fee increase along with a continued annual COLA adjustment. No formal vote taken; direction given.
• Student Appointments: Approved unanimously.
• Future Work Session: Council member Pratt requested a work session on e-bike issues that includes input from the police department, timed after the coalition’s community listening session on October 27.
• Scholarship Recipient: The Science and Technology Scholarship recipient who was absent was rescheduled to appear at the August 10 council meeting.