A Washington County planner now recommends approving a 236-unit apartment project near Sylvan Highlands, according to the Sylvan Highlands Neighborhood Association.

The planner had previously recommended denying the project on SW 66th Avenue. The neighborhood association said the county reversed that recommendation on Friday, Sept. 11. A county hearings officer will hold a public hearing on the application Thursday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. via Zoom.

The county's own staff report has not been made public, and no county official has commented on the reversal. Tandem Property, the applicant, has not issued a public statement.

Tandem Property is seeking a Transit Density Bonus (TDB) to increase the project on the 3.33-acre site from 84 units to 236 units. The site sits north of SW 66th Avenue and SW Canyon Court.

Previous comments won't carry forward

Because the hearing represents a new phase of the land-use process, written comments submitted during the earlier review do not carry forward. Residents who commented before must submit new comments referencing case number LU2600132-D(R)PD/DHAAppeal.

The neighborhood association asked residents to submit written comments by Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 16. Comments can also be submitted through Washington County's land-use hearings page.

Residents who want to testify at the Zoom hearing must preregister. Speakers will have about two to three minutes each. The hearing is audio-only; the dial-in number is 1-669-900-6833, Webinar ID 844 8983 3930. Participants must log in by 1 p.m., though the Tandem Property case may not be called first.

Neighborhood groups oppose the project

Sarah Harrington, writing for the Sylvan Highlands Neighborhood Association on Tuesday, Sept. 15, listed the group's objections: a projected 1,080 average daily vehicle trips, safety concerns near Odyssey School on SW 58th Drive, cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets, environmental harm to the headwaters of Fanno Creek on the development site, fire safety risks from limited road access, and the placement of five-story buildings on the Oatfield fault line.

The association also cited a lack of nearby public transit and commercial services, arguing the site would force car dependency despite the transit-density designation.

Three groups oppose the project. The Sunlight Cohousing Community on SW Barnes Road, neighbors adjacent to the property, and Raeburn Estates have all joined the opposition and contributed toward the neighborhood association's legal fees.

No public statement from Tandem Property or Washington County planning staff was available as of Wednesday, Sept. 16. The reason for the reversal has not been explained publicly.

The county holds land-use hearings on the third Thursday of each month.