Development Review Process

The Planning Department reviews public and private development proposals to evaluate compliance with the West Linn Community Development Code. Development review is a formal process. Project applicants must demonstrate that all applicable Code requirements are met or will be met with conditions of approval before receiving project approval. The following outlines the typical sequence of steps in the application processing timeline:

1. Pre-Application Conference:
  • For many development proposals, applicants must participate in a pre-application conference with the City before formally submitting their development application.
  • Pre-application conferences must be scheduled at least 15 days before the meeting to provide staff time to research the proposal.
2. Submittal of a Land Use Application:
  • Following the pre-application conference, applicants should submit their land use approval application within 18 months through the Submit a Land Use Application portal.
  • The application is reviewed within 30 days to ensure that the applicant has provided all required information.
  • If all necessary information is submitted, the City has 120 days to decide on the proposal.
  • In cases where the application is incomplete, the applicant has 180 days to furnish the missing information to proceed with the review.
3. Application Review:
  • Staff will determine if the application is complete.
  • Once the application is considered complete, a notice regarding the proposed land use is sent to nearby property owners, the neighborhood association, and relevant agencies notifying them of the proposed land use and asking for public input.
  • Additionally, sign is displayed on the property, the application is posted on the City's website, and, depending on the review level, a notice may be published in a local newspaper.
  • A comment period is open for either 14 days or 20 days, depending on the  type of land use proposal.
  • Once the comment period closes, staff compiles comments from the public, City departments, and other stakeholders and prepares findings as to whether the application meets the approval criteria of the applicable Community Development Code sections.
4.  Decision:
  • For administrative decisions, the Planning Manager prepares a staff report and decision.
  • For decisions requiring a public hearing, the staff prepares a staff report with findings and recommendation for the decision-making body. The decision body decides after conducting a public hearing.
  • A Notice of Final Decision is sent to all individuals who submitted comments and provided a valid mailing address.
5.  Appeal:
  • Those with standing in the matter may appeal the decision to the City Council within 14 days of the final decision mailing date.
6. Site Development: