West Linn Planning Commission Work Session on Housing Production Strategy Implementation - July 15, 2026

The West Linn Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 6:01 PM. The meeting included approval of June 17, 2026 meeting minutes, a work session on Housing Production Strategy (HPS) implementation, and staff announcements. The work session focused on three land-use actions: rezoning land for higher densities, encouraging small single-unit attached homes, and zoning incentives for affordable and workforce housing. No public comments were received.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Meeting Notes (June 17, 2026): The minutes were approved with 4 yes votes (Commissioners Saltee, Jones, Watton, and Chair Shulte Hillen) and 3 abstentions (Commissioners Deeds, Katcher, and Wovotney – all absent from the June meeting).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke on land-use items not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

• Work Session: Housing Production Strategy Implementation – Senior Planner Erica Smith introduced consultants Matt Hasty and Brandon Crawford from MIG to lead the discussion. They outlined the project timeline, which will conclude by May 2027. The session covered three actions:
  • Action 1 (Rezoning Land): The city’s multifamily zones (R3, R2.1, mixed-use) make up only 5% of residential land. MIG proposed rezoning underutilized commercial or low-density properties using criteria (vacancy, size, ownership, proximity to amenities, utility access). Options presented included eliminating minimum lot sizes, removing maximum lot coverage, removing detached single-unit as an allowed use in R3/R2.1, and increasing height to 45 feet for all multi-unit forms (not just garden style). MIG recommended all options. Commissioners discussed FAR exemptions for multifamily and the need to clarify the definition of “garden style apartments.”
  • Action 2 (Small Single-Unit Attached Homes): MIG noted R10 (minimum 10,000 sq ft lots) dominates the city, making small-lot development infeasible. Options included reducing maximum lot coverage/FAR for detached plexes, scaling standards by lot size, setting maximum building sizes, reducing minimum lot sizes, and creating a new small-lot detached housing type. MIG recommended using coverage/FAR scaling and exempting lots with existing dwellings. Commissioners raised concerns about SDCs and market feasibility, and suggested exploring cottage cluster models.
  • Action 9 (Zoning for Affordable/Workforce Housing): The city currently lacks definitions and incentives for affordable/accessible housing. MIG recommended adopting state model code definitions, applying density/height bonuses scaled to the percentage of affordable/accessible units (based on state requirements), and applying bonuses citywide. Options to limit bonuses to specific areas were not recommended to avoid concentration. Commissioners debated the effectiveness of incentives without purchase-end controls, the role of inclusionary zoning, and challenges with CC&Rs and HOA rules on rezoned properties.
• Statutory Compliance Update: MIG briefly reviewed high-priority state statutes, including HB 4064/2347 (manufactured homes allowed on single-family lots), 100-day review requirement for affordable housing projects, and allowance for affordable housing on religious nonprofit properties. These updates aim to align local code with state law.

Key Outcomes

• Meeting Minutes Approved (4-0-3).
• Next Steps: MIG will finalize the code audit and begin drafting code amendments (August–December 2026). A work session for planning commission review is tentatively scheduled for January 2027. The financial strategies working group will report back on Actions 3, 4, and 8.
• Staff Announcements: The August 5, 2026 regular meeting is cancelled; a special meeting will be held August 10, 2026 for a development hearing. The August 19 regular meeting remains on schedule (with potential for a continuation).
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM.