Bienestar and McMinnville Cooperative Ministries Mixed Use Development (HL 1-26 & DDR 1-26), Appeal of DDR 1-26 (AP 4-26), Appeal of DDR 1-26 (AP 5-26)

Applicant: Bienestar Oregon

Property Owner: McMinnville Cooperative Ministries

Site Address: 544 NE 2nd Street  Tax Lot: R4421BC11500  Zoning: C-3 (General Commercial)

HL 1-26 Application: Applicant is requesting to demolish a historic resource, designated as a “B” (Significant Resources), by the historic name of “United Methodist Church”, now owned by McMinnville Cooperative Ministries. 

DDR 1-26 Application: Applicant is requesting to construct a four-story apartment building.

City Staff Contact: Evan Hietpas, Interim Planning Manager/Housing Planner. (503) 474-5170 or evan.hietpas@mcminnvilleoregon.gov

Historic Landmarks Committee Review

• On May 28, 2026, the Historic Landmarks Committee approved HL 1-26 by a motion of 3-1, and approved DDR 1-26 by a motion of 4-0, at their meeting on Thursday May 28, 2026. The final decisions were issued on June 3, 2026, along with notices of decision. 

  • HL 1-26 Decision Document (FINAL)
  • DDR 1-26 Decision Document (initial HLC approval version - June 3rd)

• First public hearing held on March 12, 2026. Meeting Materials Available Below:
  • Link to Recording: https://mcminnvilleoregon.zoom.us/rec/share/_SrN0O-oYJKbfGs2Cw7nHtaUzvFnT8DzXL1oF5oiv7utFjd07JpjdCVFC3a1N5EK.fKWx7pPYvHnzgeAT
  • Passcode: cMj$tB7m
  • 3/12 Published Meeting Agenda and Packet

• Public hearing was continued to April 23, 2026. Meeting Materials Available Below:

  • Link to Recording: https://mcminnvilleoregon.zoom.us/rec/share/6Au8eZDACaR6Qm5Ht9DdChnhTHXcyHvyRAlj_M17HCWbJ3iwqJ3lkDIPJ2JmoZv0.CQFur3nRAFrPUyRz

  • Passcode: 1Nvn%&xB

  • 4/23 Published Meeting Agenda and Packet

• HLC deliberated and made a final decision on May 28, 2026. Meeting Materials Available Below:

  • Link to Recording: https://mcminnvilleoregon.zoom.us/rec/share/b4SIBr3dHhdA36SL0dKfFlZOOcsDCagiXgHLDX82_ut20lmBXanClGMoK_oj7zaK.-I2t49VcEPH3_3VR

  • Passcode: A^TQtpV9

  • 5/28 Published Meeting Agenda and Packet

Planning Commission Review

• On June 18, 2026, the City received an appeal (Docket AP 4-26) from Alexa McClain of the Historic Landmark Committee's approval of Downtown Design Review decision (DDR 1-26). No appeal was recevied for Docket HL 1-26.

  • AP 4-26, Appeal Application and Letter
    • No appeal was submitted for the Certificate of Demolition Permit (HL 1-26) that was processed at the same time as the Downtown Design Review. Therefore, the Historic Landmarks Committee approval of docket HL 1-26 became final on June 18, 2026.)

• On Thursday July 16, 2026 at 6:30pm, the Planning Commission held a public hearing FULL MEETING PACKET POSTED ON THE CITY MEETINGS PAGE (SEE "PARTS 2 AND 3"). After the public hearing, the Planning Commission voted 7-0 in favor of approval of DDR 1-26.

  • DDR 1-26 Decision Document, issued July 23, 2026. 

  • Link to Recording: https://mcminnvilleoregon.zoom.us/rec/share/uI-ohOp-QB_9YKibjisKbjEcBnWRBbRyCR-Q1gtG4OcfrMPQfv_Np98311TYMkAD.gDCiR0s-jFMbJskO

  • Passcode: $@x62dPq

City Council Review

• On Thursday August 6, 2026, the City received an appeal (Docket AP 5-26) from Jeb Bladine and Alexa McClain of the Planning Commissions's approval of Downtown Design Review decision (DDR 1-26)  AP 5-26 Submittal

• City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday August 25th at 7:00pm. Meeting Materials and a recording can be found on the City's meeting page below. The materials for this application are located in "Packet 2 of 3"  https://www.mcminnvilleoregon.gov/citycouncil/page/city-council-work-session-530-pm-and-city-council-regular-meeting-700-pm-14

• On Tuesday August 25th, the City Council approved Order 2026-01 (linked to document posted at the bottom of this page): An Order memorializing the City Council’s decision for the appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision for AP 4-26 regarding docket DDR 1-26 (Bienestar and McMinnville Cooperative Ministries Downtown Design Review Application at 544 NE 2^nd Street), by a vote of 4-1.

• A Notice of Decision was issued on August 27, 2026, in compliance with the required 120-day review timeline per Oregon State Law. 

• The City Council's decision may be appealed to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) within 21 days of the date written notice of the City Council's decision is mailed to parties who participated in the local proceedings and are entitled to notice as provided in ORS 197.620 and ORS 197.830, and Section 17.72.190 of the McMinnville Municipal Code. If no appeal is filed on or before Thursday September 17, 2026, the decision of the City Council will be final.