West Linn City Council Business Meeting – May 12, 2025

The West Linn City Council held a business meeting on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included a public hearing on the Housing Production Strategy, adoption of a new Stormwater Management Manual, deliberation on a land use appeal, and reports from council and staff. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting Minutes (April 14, 2025): Approved 5-0 without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Clyde Farris (retired physician, 45-year resident) expressed concern about increased wildfire risk due to climate change and urged the council to take a more aggressive stance against illegal fireworks, including extra police patrols and fines around the Fourth of July. Council President Baumgardner responded that education should lead, as enforcement can sometimes have a resistant effect.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing: West Linn Housing Production Strategy (HPS)

  • Mayor Bialostosky opened the hearing. Consultant Matt Hastie (MIG) presented the HPS, a six-year plan required by ORS 197A.100. The Planning Commission recommended adoption with two minor changes: delaying implementation of the Construction Excise Tax (CET) to the latter half of the period, and adding language in Strategies 2 and 9 to address accessible housing for people with disabilities and older residents (per DLCD request). No public testimony was offered.
  • Council discussion: Mayor Bialostosky supported the CET as a delayed strategy but wanted more study to avoid increasing housing costs. Councilor Groner noted that infill development sometimes replaces single-story homes (potentially accessible to elderly/disabled) with multi-story clusters. Council President Baumgardner emphasized the need to clarify what “affordable” means and to create options for young families to prevent school closures. The council adopted Resolution 2025-02 with the two changes (5-0).
  • Staff recognized: Planning Manager Darren Wyss for leading the 15-month effort, and consultant Matt Hastie’s team for finishing six weeks ahead of the grant deadline.

• Adoption of City of West Linn Stormwater Management Manual

  • Assistant City Engineer Clark Ide presented Resolution 2025-01. The City previously used Portland’s manual but developed its own to better fit West Linn’s topography, soil types, and DEQ permit requirements. The draft was out for public comment for 30 days and received zero comments; only minor grammatical edits were made. Councilor Bryck thanked staff for tailoring the manual rather than “reinventing the wheel.” The council adopted Resolution 2025-01 unanimously (5-0).

• Appeal AP-24-02: Planning Commission Decision on Minor Partition and Variance (2830 Coeur D Alene Drive)

  • Mayor Bialostosky recused himself due to relationships with parties; Council President Baumgardner presided. The appeal challenged the Planning Commission’s approval of a three-parcel minor partition and a Class II variance to allow five single-family homes to access a 20-foot shared private driveway. The public hearing and evidentiary record were closed on April 14, 2025, with a tentative decision to approve the appeal and remove Condition of Approval 2.
  • Deliberations: Council President Baumgardner noted a discrepancy between the original developer agreement and a plat note, making the case “very complicated.” Councilor Bryck observed that the code allows four accesses from a private drive, suggesting a private property issue. Councilor Bonnington moved to adopt a final decision denying the appeal and modifying Condition of Approval 2 per staff recommendation (effectively upholding the Planning Commission with a modification). The motion carried 4-0 (Mayor not voting).
  • Outcome: The appeal was denied, and Condition of Approval 2 was modified. Parties have standing to appeal to LUBA.

Key Outcomes

• Approved April 14, 2025, meeting minutes (Consent Agenda).
• Adopted Resolution 2025-02: West Linn Housing Production Strategy (5-0).
• Adopted Resolution 2025-01: City of West Linn Stormwater Management Manual (5-0).
• Denied appeal AP-24-02 and modified Condition of Approval 2 (4-0).
• Council received reports on community events (State of the City, Arts & Culture Commission sculpture, Highway 43 art corridor), state lobbying (Willamette Falls Locks/Trust, water infrastructure funding), waterfront planning, recreation center discussions, and recognition of Officer Matt Good receiving an award.