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

Current Status: APPEAL RECEIVED FOR DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW (DDR 1-26).

PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY JULY 16TH AT 6:30PM. 

• On June 18, 2026, the City received an appeal (Docket AP 4-26) from Alexa McClain of the Downtown Design Review decision (DDR 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.)

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. The 15-day appeal period for these applications ended on Thursday June 18, 2026 at 5:00pm.

• HL 1-26 Decision Document
• DDR 1-26 Decision Document

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 Meetings

• 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 MaterialsAvailable 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

Summary of 7-7-7 extension process

• At the April 23, 2026 Public Hearing, the HLC and Applicant agreed to a 7-7-7 extension process
  • By May 1, 2026, the applicant and the public have the opportunity to submit any new testimony, evidence, data into the record for consideration.  The following items were received in that time.
    • Bienestar Supplemental Application Materials:  https://www.mcminnvilleoregon.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_development/page/26668/ddr_-_waiver_and_glazing_standard_-_5-1-26.pdf
    • Testimony from Quinn Millegan, dated 04.24.26 
  • By May 8, 2026 (this has been extended to 5:00 PM Tuesday, May 12, please see memorandum below), the public and the applicant may provide written comment on the additional materials in the public record.  revised application materials submitted only - For e-mailed public comments, please send to heather.richards@mcminnvilleoregon.gov, or you may drop off testimony in-person (or mailed) to the City's Community Development Center at 231 NE 5^th Street McMinnville, OR 9712
  • By May 12, 2026 (this has been extended to 5:00 PM, Tuesday, May 19, please see memorandum below), the applicant may provide written responses to the public comments received.
    City of McMinnville Memorandum extending the date for the second period of public record response and the applicant's final argument.
     
• On Thursday May 21, 2026, updated Decision Documents were published with the HLC meeting packet
• On Thursday May 28, 2026 at 3:00pm, the HLC considered the updated materials collected during the 7-7-7 extension process and deliberate towards making a final decision on docket HL 1-26 and DDR 1026. No additional verbal public testimony was taken at the meeting.