Development Review

About Development Review
The City of Milwaukie Development Review Team facilitates the review of small- and large-scale development projects. Led by members of our Planning, Engineering, Building, and Public Works Departments, the Development Review Team ensures new development adheres to the Municipal Code and other applicable codes and regulations. The team evaluates development proposals based on design, density, use, and a variety of other factors to ensure developments relate to and enhance the surrounding area and mitigate any negative social or physical impacts to the City.

Major development and design reviews are done by city review bodies. The type of land-use review (I-V) determines which review body makes the final decision. The Planning Commission reviews land use applications that require Type III review (e.g., variances and conditional uses) and makes a recommendation to City Council on Type IV and V applications (e.g., zone changes and amendments to the Municipal Code). The Design and Landmarks Committee (DLC) reviews applications for development in Downtown Milwaukie and makes recommendations to the Planning Commission.

So You Received a Land Use Notice… Now What?
When the City or one of our review bodies is reviewing Type II and III applications, notices are sent to any applicable Neighborhood District Associations (NDAs) and nearby property owners and occupants. If you receive one of these notices, be sure to read the entire notice and remember the following:

• Only the listed approval criteria are used to decide applications (approve or deny), be sure to confine your comments to the applicable criteria. Factors outside of the listed approval criteria are not considered.
• You can find the code sections referenced in the notice to understand what the approval criteria are.
• For comments to be included in the official record or to be on the mailing list for the decision, you must provide written comments. These comments can be submitted via mail, email, or in person.
• More information about the application is available on the City’s website at https://www.milwaukieoregon.gov/planning/submitted-applications-0
• If you have any questions about the proposal, comment period, approval criteria, or application process you can always contact the planner assigned to the file. Their contact info will be included in the notice.

After the review body has made a decision, parties with standing have the ability to appeal the decision. Parties with standing are those who submit written comments during the comment period of an application, attend the hearing and sign-in, or testify at the hearing. Appeals should be based on the relevant approval criteria.  If no appeal is filed within 2 weeks of the Notice of Decision the decision is final.

For more information on the land use process, you can view a City Land Use 101 presentation. A sample land use referral form can be found at the bottom of this page.

For all other questions you can contact the Planner on Duty at 503.786.7630 or planning@milwaukieoregon.gov