West Linn Planning Commission Deliberations on Operations Support Facility - March 4, 2026

The West Linn Planning Commission held a meeting on March 4, 2026, to deliberate and vote on a conditional use permit, design review, and water resource area permit for a new City of West Linn Operations Support Facility at 23800 and 23834 Salamo Road. The public hearing had been closed on February 18, 2026, with the record open for additional testimony and a final written argument from the applicant. During this meeting, the commission addressed a procedural challenge, debated site suitability, and voted 4-3 to approve the application.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Happigan (19500 View Drive) raised a point of order, arguing that the applicant's final written argument (page 5) contained new evidence—specifically, the claim that PGE deemed burying utility lines unfeasible due to steep topography. He requested an opportunity to respond. After discussion, the commission voted to strike that sentence from the record, as it constituted new evidence not previously submitted, and agreed not to consider it in deliberations.

Discussion Items

• Role of the Planning Commission: Commissioners debated the scope of their authority. City Attorney clarified that in a quasi-judicial hearing, the commission must decide whether the application meets the approval criteria in the Community Development Code, not whether the project is a good idea or the site is ideal. Concerns about site location or design must be grounded in specific criteria.
• Site Suitability and Geotechnical Concerns: Commissioners Wolvotney and Deeds expressed concerns about landslide hazards, citing the site's location on a mapped landslide-prone area and the potential for slope failure during a major Cascadia subduction zone earthquake. They questioned the adequacy of the geotechnical report's mitigation measures, particularly for the sole access road. Commissioner Kachariski noted that the original slide was caused by human excavation, not natural factors, and that a licensed geotechnical engineer had provided a detailed report. Chair Schulte-Hillen and Commissioners Evans, Watton, and Kachariski stated they were satisfied that the geotechnical report and design met code requirements.
• Emergency Access: Several commissioners discussed the lack of a secondary emergency egress. Commissioner Kachariski suggested exploring an easement via adjacent ODOT property to I-205. City Attorney advised that the code does not contain a criterion mandating a second access point, but the commission could include a non-binding recommendation. Commissioner Wolvotney argued that a single access point makes the facility vulnerable as an emergency operations center.
• Other Conditions: Commissioner Evans proposed adding conditions for regular stormwater filter maintenance (every two years) and traffic signs. Commissioner Wolvotney noted that a 1200-Z permit from DEQ would likely require regular sampling, making a specific timeline unnecessary. The commission did not adopt these as formal conditions in the motion.
• Commissioner Announcements: Commissioner Wolvotney raised concerns about Lot 7 at the Willow Ridge subdivision, where a previously rejected pedestrian trail due to steepness was now being developed for housing. The commission unanimously directed staff to provide information at a future meeting. Commissioner Evans announced this was his last meeting due to selling his house.

Key Outcomes

• Motion and Vote: Commissioner Evans moved to approve CUP-25-02/DR-25-02/WAP-25-01 as presented, directing staff to prepare a final decision order based on the record. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Watton. The vote was 4-3 in favor: Commissioners Watton, Evans, Kachariski, and Chair Schulte-Hillen voted "yes"; Commissioners Wolvotney, Deeds, and Jones voted "no".
• Appeal Notice: Any appeal to the City Council must be filed within 14 days of the mailing of the final decision.
• Staff Direction: The commission unanimously agreed to have staff provide information on the Willow Ridge Lot 7 approval at the next meeting.
• Next Meeting: Staff noted that the March 18 public hearing will have a reduced quorum due to Commissioner Evans' departure and one commissioner's recusal, but confirmed availability.