West Linn Operations Center Land Use Approval Upheld On Appeal (Photo) - 07/28/26
Today a land use Hearings Officer issued a final decision upholding the Planning Commission’s approval of the West Linn Operations Complex and denying the appeal.
The Operations Complex is a critical investment in maintaining safe and reliable Public Works routine maintenance and emergency response, as well as City Parks and Building maintenance. The existing Operations Complex is located on 2 acres and was built in the 1930’s to serve a population of 3,000, today West Linn’s population has grown to almost 28,000. The project would relocate the existing Public Works staff including Water, Storm, Sewer, Streets and Fleet Maintenance as well as Park Maintenance staff into a modern purpose-built location that improves operational efficiency, reduces redundant travel between remote storage facilities, and enhances coordination during both routine and emergency response events. City Staff worked with the design team to reduce the cost of the project, while still delivering a high-quality facility.
Throughout the planning process, safety has remained the City’s highest priority. The project has been designed to the same standards as other essential facilities such as hospitals and fire stations to function safely throughout seismic and other natural disasters. The City commissioned extensive professional experts to assist with building and site design, including licensed professionals: geotechnical engineers, civil engineers, wetland scientists, and architects. These studies included drilling, field investigations, laboratory analysis, and a comprehensive review of previous geotechnical work conducted in 1969, 2010, 2013, 2022 and 2023. The findings confirmed that the project can be safely constructed.
“We appreciate the thorough review process and the opportunity to demonstrate the rigor behind this project,” said City Engineer/ Public Works Director, Erich Lais. “This decision allows us to move forward with a facility that will serve West Linn residents safely and efficiently for decades.”
“As Mayor, I’m excited to see West Linn move forward with this project after more than five years of planning, a thorough public process, and careful review,” West Linn Mayor Rory Bialostosky said. “This investment in a modern, seismically resilient Operations Center will help us maintain our streets, parks, water system, and other critical infrastructure safely and more efficiently for decades to come.”
The City remains committed to keeping the community informed as the project progresses. Residents seeking additional details about site safety, project history, funding, and design are encouraged to visit the City’s informational resources: https://yourwestlinn.com/wloc
