West Linn City Council Work Session - October 21, 2025

The West Linn City Council held a work session on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, starting at 6:03 p.m. The meeting covered several major topics including the Mary S. Young Park lease renewal, the Waterfront Vision Plan, and the Vision43 corridor project. Public comments were heard, and council provided direction on multiple items. No formal votes were taken, but consensus was reached on several policy directions.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved unanimously via roll call (Councilors Bonington, Browner, Baumgartner, and Mayor Bielostowski all voting yes).
• Council Rules: Proposed amendments to the council rules were discussed: (1) changing all references from "Monday" to "Tuesday" to reflect the new meeting day, and (2) modifying the requirement for executive sessions after receiving tort claims or litigation notices—changing from a mandatory session within 30 days to a notice to council within 7 days, with council then deciding whether to hold an executive session. Council informally agreed to both changes, scheduling formal adoption at the next business meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rebecca Hollandbeck (West Linn Main Street Director): Presented the city with an "Excellence on Main" award from the state, thanked council, and announced upcoming Halloween event (Oct 31, 3–6 p.m.) and the city's new membership in the Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA).
• Nicole Jackson (Friends of Willamette Wetlands): Expressed concerns about the Waterfront Vision Plan, stating that community feedback (including a petition with over 3,850 signatures) overwhelmingly supports preserving the wetlands. She noted that a potential development area (yellow shading south of Fifth Avenue) remains on the map, which she feels ignores public input. She acknowledged property owner rights but urged removing the development notation to show council is listening.
• Dan Butler and Aurelia Rebecca (Advocates of Willamette Falls Heritage): Presented slides showing historic industrial structures on Moore's Island and examples of adaptive reuse (e.g., Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Spokane Steam Plant). They requested the Vision Plan include language strongly encouraging preservation and adaptive reuse of key structures, working with private partners where economically feasible.
• Kirsten Solberg (West Linn resident, architect, Historic Review Board member): Spoke in support of adaptive reuse, citing paper mill conversion examples. She recommended using FEMA floodplain data instead of only the 1996 flood boundary, and raised questions about contamination cleanup responsibility.

Discussion Items

Mary S. Young Lease Agreement with Oregon State Parks

• Presentation by Parks Director Megan Big John and City Attorney Kaylee Klein:
  • Mary S. Young Park is 133 acres (20% of city parkland), donated in 1973, leased from Oregon State Parks. 55,000 visitors in 2024; average visit 35 minutes; 93% from Oregon, 75% from Clackamas County. Revenue $60,000/year from fees; expenses higher (e.g., $22,000/year for field maintenance alone). Volunteers contribute ~2,000 hours annually.
  • Key risks: deferred maintenance (e.g., footbridge replacement estimated $50,000), invasive pests (Mediterranean oak borer, emerald ash borer) with tree removal costs up to $35,000 per tree (Wilsonville example). The city holds over 1,000 oaks in the park.
  • Negotiations improved the lease: state will not share costs but will provide expertise (forester, grant support, collaboration). Major amendments: city not responsible for legal encroachments, improved law enforcement clarity, ability to terminate if cost-sharing for pests cannot be agreed, greater subcontracting authority, and maintenance vs. replacement language clarified. Pest costs carved out for future amendment.
  • Lease allows city to charge parking fees at its discretion.
• Council Discussion: Councilors expressed support for the negotiated terms, acknowledging the state's financial constraints. Ideas for future revenue included parking fees, stickers, or app-based systems. A crosswalk across Highway 43 to the park was suggested. Council directed staff to proceed with finalizing the lease, with adoption anticipated at a November business meeting pending Oregon DOJ review.

Waterfront Vision Plan

• Presentation by Adrian Whitty (Consultant) and Darren Williams (Planning Director):
  • Map changes: floodplain boundary updated to 1996 levels; removed medium-density residential language from the Ponds District; added ecological corridors. Language additions: affordable housing encouragement (council agreed on general language: "The city should encourage a variety of housing types to encourage affordability across income ranges...") and historic preservation language (council favored a hybrid encouraging rehabilitation/reuse of key historic structures in partnership with property owners, where economically feasible, to enhance visitor experience).
  • Staff clarified that the yellow shading on maps indicates technically developable areas (outside floodplain) and is not an endorsement of development. The removal of medium-density residential language at the previous meeting was a council decision.
• Council Discussion: Council expressed support for wetland preservation. Affordable housing language was refined to be general. Historic preservation language will be drafted by staff and circulated for feedback before the adoption meeting. The resolution will be updated to specify planning commission recommendations and council actions. Adoption scheduled for November 18, 2025.

Vision43 Project Update

• Presentation by Associate Planner Chris Myers:
  • Project timeline extended from October 2025 to June/July 2026 to allow additional outreach to residential property owners. Budget amended by $19,850 (already within existing budget) for simplified renderings showing before/after code changes.
  • Rezoning strategy changed to a phased approach: Phase 1 will rezone primarily commercial properties in the three focus areas; Phase 2 will address residential properties after targeted outreach to affected owners.
  • Strategic pivot: draft code will be vetted first with the Technical Advisory Committee, Project Working Group (November), neighborhood associations (January), and open houses (January/February) before going to Planning Commission and then Council. This is intended to provide more community input and present a more refined product to council.
• Council Discussion: Councilors supported the community-centered approach and the phased rezoning. They noted that by waiting for code adoption, any development applications submitted before then would be under current code. An urban renewal district feasibility study is also underway and may align with Vision43 implementation. Staff will provide a brief update to council in 2–3 months.

Key Outcomes

• Council Rules: Informal consensus to adopt amendments (Tuesday meetings and 7-day notice for litigation notices) at next business meeting.
• Mary S. Young Lease: Council directed staff to finalize the lease with Oregon State Parks as negotiated, pending DOJ review. Adoption anticipated at a November business meeting. Council requested future discussion on potential parking fees and revenue generation.
• Waterfront Vision Plan: Council approved direction for affordable housing language (general encouragement) and historic preservation language (to be drafted by staff). Adoption set for November 18, 2025. Staff to update resolution to reflect planning commission recommendations and council actions.
• Vision43: Council endorsed the extended timeline, phased rezoning approach, and community-first code vetting process. Staff to provide a progress update in early 2026.