West Linn Planning Commission Meeting - January 21, 2026
West Linn Planning Commission Meeting - January 21, 2026
The West Linn Planning Commission met on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in a hybrid format. The meeting included public comment on land use issues, approval of past meeting notes, election of Chair and Vice-Chair, and a discussion on a Metro 2040 grant letter of support.
Consent Calendar
- The commission unanimously approved meeting notes from November 19, 2025, December 3, 2025, and December 17, 2025. Commissioner Dietz abstained from voting on the minutes, resulting in a 6–0–1 vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Brigitte Howley (resident, 2985 Winkle Way) expressed concern that a previous Icon development on Deer Hill caused flooding on her property and surrounding homes. She stated that the city and developer offered no recourse unless she paid $75,000 for a geological study. She asked the commission to hold the new developer (for a proposed development on Deer Hill Lane) accountable for potential flooding impacts. Commissioners acknowledged the concern and noted the application has not yet been formally submitted.
- Stephanie Brown (resident, Deer Hill Lane) reported that during a neighborhood meeting with the developer on January 13, residents learned that the proposed phase one development would have narrow streets (similar to her 26-foot wide street with no parking) and would tap into the existing stormwater detention pond, which neighbors believe is already at capacity. She requested city and commission involvement to ensure a workable plan. Commissioners advised her to submit written comments when the application is filed and noted that stormwater facilities must typically be sized for each development.
Discussion Items
- Election of Chair and Vice-Chair: Commissioner Schulte-Hillen was nominated and elected Chair by a unanimous 7–0 vote. Commissioner Jones was nominated and elected Vice-Chair, also by a unanimous 7–0 vote.
- Metro 2040 Grant Letter of Support: Staff requested a letter from the commission to support the city's grant application for implementing the waterfront vision (adopted by council). Commissioner Evans moved to approve the letter after clarifying that changes were made by city council to strengthen language around wetland development. The motion carried 5–2, with Commissioners Jones and Dietz voting no, citing a desire to see more details before committing.
- Commissioner Announcements: Commissioner Walotney noted that Metro may curtail bus service on Rosemont due to funding and ridership challenges, which could affect parking considerations previously discussed.
Key Outcomes
- Approved meeting minutes (6–0–1).
- Elected Chair Schulte-Hillen and Vice-Chair Jones (both unanimous).
- Approved a letter of support for the Metro 2040 grant application (5–2).
- The meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
For Tom, welcome everyone to the uh Wednesday, January 21st, 2020 meeting for the Westland Planning Commission. Um I guess Mr. Coper, could you call the role? Or Lynn. Good evening, Commissioners. Um Commissioner Evans. I am also here. Commissioner Watton. Here. Commissioner Walatney. Here. Commissioner Shultehillen. Here. Commissioner Kachariski. Present. And uh newly appointed Commissioner Dietz. Am I saying your name correctly? Here, yeah, I used it correctly. All right. Welcome. Seven present. Thank you. Well, I'd like to welcome our new uh commissioner. Um do you want to give us like the cliff notes? Yes. Um thank you for having me. I'm I'm happy to be here. And um I originally started kind of my civic engagement with Robinwood Neighborhood Association, and so uh it's kind of brought me here, but um I've lived in Westland almost my whole life. I went to Westland High School and the middle school and elementary, went to college and then came back. So I'm uh happy to be back. Great, thank you. We're glad to have you. Um next item on the agenda is public comment related to land use items that are not on tonight's agenda, and I have two um two speakers. So uh Brigitte Howley. Brigitte Hi, my name is Brigitte Howley. I live at 2985 Winkle Way, which is parallel to Parker. And there is um Icon has been built already to pretty large development of Parker Road between Parker and Rich or Parker and Rosemont. Um could you be just a little closer to the microphone? Because I do want to hear what you have to say. Thank you. There is an application right now for another development which will take Deer Hill, which comes on Parker, and take it down, take it up, and then try to connect who wetlands to Boxbury. And my concern, and it's a question actually for you, Commissioner, is when they when Icon build the Deer Hill development us on Winkle Way on the other side of Parker, we got our backyard pretty flooded. And when we asked Icon and public work, we had two staff from public work coming, which was really nice. When we asked them what was happening, because it was too much of a coincidence. They building it or backyard flood uh on two neighbors up the road, the basement actually the call space flooded. And I couldn't answer, well, there was nothing we can do. You can we they offer for us to pay a geologist at the amount of 75,000 to check if actually it was related to them building the D Hill development. But as I say, too much of a coincidence, it was cheaper to install French drain. My concern right now is that another developer has bought that property on top of Deerhill, and what we calls do we have as house living there if it starts flooding again, because the city was not helping, and the icon, of course, the developer was not doing anything. So if this happened, what can we actually do?
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