West Linn Planning Commission Meeting – June 17, 2026

The West Linn Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers and virtually. The meeting included the introduction of new Commissioner Daniel Saltee, approval of past meeting notes, and a detailed briefing on the Vision 43 Project. Agenda item 6 (discussion of Willow Ridge Lot 7) was postponed to a later date. No public comments were received. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Meeting Notes: The commission approved the draft meeting notes from January 21, February 4, February 18, March 4, March 18, April 15, and May 6, 2026. Commissioner Jones moved to approve, Commissioner Watton seconded. The roll call vote: Commissioner Jones – aye, Commissioner Watton – yes, Commissioner Saltee – abstained, Chair Schulte Hillen – yes. The notes were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comments on land use items not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

• Vision 43 Project Briefing: Principal Planner Darren Wise presented an overview of the two-year community engagement process for the Vision 43 Corridor Plan. Key elements include:
  • Proposed Code Amendments: Creation of a mixed-use corridor zone, changes to permitted uses (drive-throughs become conditional), allowing multi-unit residential on properties ≤2 acres, increasing maximum building height from 45 to 65 feet on select properties with limited residential impact, removing maximum lot coverage and introducing a minimum floor area ratio, allowing up to 75% of first-floor space to be residential, and provisions for non-conforming uses.
  • Engagement Statistics: Two rounds of open houses (87 attendees in spring 2024, ~100 in winter 2025), three online surveys (301, 195, and 131 responses), multiple pop-up events, civic group and neighborhood association meetings, a technical advisory group, and a project working group.
  • Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map Amendments: Three focus areas with properties currently zoned residential but used commercially will be rezoned to commercial/mixed-use corridor to align with existing uses.
  • Discussion: Commissioner Watton raised concerns about first-floor occupancy and the lack of restrictions on business types (e.g., avoiding service-only uses like medical offices) to foster pedestrian activity, citing Lake Oswego’s approach. Commissioner Jones questioned potential neighborhood pushback on rezoning; staff clarified all affected properties are already in commercial use. Commissioner Saltee noted the corridor lacks reasons for people to stop and emphasized the need for more “there there.” Staff clarified that design standards exist but a specific style guide was not developed due to scope and feedback.
• Willow Ridge Lot 7: Agenda item was postponed by request of the absent commissioner and moved to a future meeting (July 15, 2026).
• Staff Announcements: The July 1, 2026 meeting was proposed to be canceled due to the July 4th holiday. The next scheduled meeting is July 15, 2026, which will include a briefing on the Housing Production Strategy implementation and the Willow Ridge Lot 7 discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Meeting Notes: Seven sets of minutes approved (see Consent Calendar).
• Postponement of Willow Ridge Lot 7: Moved to July 15, 2026 meeting.
• Cancellation of July 1, 2026 Meeting: Proposed and agreed upon.
• Next Meeting: July 15, 2026, with a briefing on Housing Production Strategy implementation and the Willow Ridge Lot 7 discussion.