Residents near SW Laurelwood Road and SW Hartley Road are still waiting to learn whether a proposed 30-lot subdivision will get the green light on its road access after a Washington County Hearings Officer held a remand hearing on Monday, July 13, but has not yet issued a written decision.
The hearing focused on a single question: does the proposed road access for Laurelwood Estates meet county standards? That's the issue the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals sent back for reconsideration in November 2025. No other aspect of the subdivision is under review.
As of Sunday, July 19, the Hearings Officer's ruling had not been posted. No deadline for the written decision is listed on the county's development applications page.
What's at stake
Laurelwood Estates would put 30 new homes on the south side of SW Laurelwood Road at its intersection with SW Hartley Road, in unincorporated Washington County near Bull Mountain. The property, at 13665 SW Academy Way, sits in the AF-5 (Agriculture and Forest) district.
The subdivision was first approved by a Hearings Officer on Monday, May 12, 2025, with conditions requiring phased development and final approval within five years. Neighbors Marcus Umstead and Jill Pruitt appealed that decision to LUBA on Monday, June 2, 2025.
LUBA upheld the county's action on three of four challenges but remanded the road-access question for a new hearing in its November 25, 2025, opinion. Parties had until Tuesday, December 16, 2025, to appeal to the Oregon Court of Appeals. No one did.
The applicant requested initiation of the remand hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Washington County scheduled it for July 13.
How to follow the case
Exhibits from the July 13 hearing are posted on the Washington County Civic Web Portal. According to the county's development applications page, the Hearings Officer's decision will also be uploaded there when issued. The county advises checking the portal for updates.
Residents can also submit comments by emailing [email protected] (include full name and mailing address), or visit Washington County Land Use & Transportation in person at 155 N. First Ave., Suite 350, Hillsboro, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office phone number is 503-846-8761.
