Neighborhood Livability
Community members in Tualatin are fighting for neighborhood livability, against the negative impacts of the Lam Research campus: air pollution, noise pollution, and light pollution. Our efforts in 2024 and 2025 resulted in a major redesign of Lam's TUX project and the prevention of many local traffic problems. We are now working to resolve Lam's ongoing noise pollution and stop their Chemical Management Systems (CMS) Expansion, both of which threaten the health of the adjacent neighborhoods.
Despite Lam’s reassurances that no toxics are stored in the bulk gas yard, we recently discovered that Lam stores and processes Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) onsite. The above image is from Lam's Offsite Chemical Release Plan which was first made public in September 2026. Neither Hazelbrook Middle School nor the nearby residents had ever been informed that we are in the evacuation zone.
CMS Update
On Monday, October 12, 2026
despite
compelling testimony and evidence
in support of the
land-use appeals,
the Tualatin City Council
voted unanimously to affirm the
staff-level decision approving Lam’s chemical expansion. The City
has once again missed a golden opportunity to protect the neighborhood
from the foreseeable negative impacts of Lam's development.
City Council voted on November 9, 2026
to finalize their decision and adopt Lam's findings.
Back in March 2026, Lam submitted this land use application (AR26-0002) to expand Building B, with a larger chemical management (CMS) area, another scrubber exhaust, more air pollution, and more noise pollution beyond the scope of the TUX project (which was approved in 2025 and is currently under construction) The community submitted Public Comments in opposition. Two residents appealed the staff-level decision. A Public Hearing was held on 9/14/2026 (video) and the record is closed.
Next Steps
The City and Lam have taken the position that the issues raised by the community are performance standards not approval criteria and therefore Lam does not need to demonstrate compliance with any environmental regulations during the land use review process. The City will soon mail their Notice of Decision to all who participated. Then, the community will have 21 days to decide if we want to appeal this to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).
Current Documents
- Building B (CMS) Project Website AR26-0002
- NDA Washington County (1/25/2024)
- NDA City of Tualatin (1/25/2025)
- Meeting Notice (3/5/2026)
- Post-Meeting Summary (3/19/2026)
- Lam Meeting Minutes (3/19/2026)
- Building Plans and Elevations (3/24/2026)
- Applicant Narrative (3/24/2026)
- Suppporting Materials (3/24/2026)
- Notice of Application (4/20/2026)
- Sample Email (4/29/2026)
- Detailed Public Comment Letter (5/4/2026)
- Aacoustics Noise Study (8/13/2025)
- Aacoustics Qualifications (5/4/2026)
- Note of Staff Decision (6/17/2026)
- Citizen Appeal Letter (6/30/2026)
- Notice of Appeal (7/28/2026)
- Lam Comments on Noise Study (9/3/2025)
- Lam Site Noise Survey (9/10/2025)
- Lam Original Noise Model (9/10/2025)
- Lam's New Noise Model (9/4/2026)
- Lam Attorney Response to Building B Appeal (9/4/2026)
- Appellant Noise Complaints (9/4/2026)
- Offsite Chemical Release Plan (6/25/2025)
- Construction Noise Variances (9/9/2026)
- David’s Fox Run HOA Resolution (9/13/2026)
- Petition in Opposition to Building B (9/14/2026)
- Joint Appellant Presentation Slides (9/14/2026)
- DSA Noise Report (9/14/2026)
- Variance Questions Answered (9/18/2026)
- Sierra Club Comment Letter (9/24/2026)
- Lam Attorney Rebuttal (10/5/2026)
- Lam Supplememtal Findings (11/2/2026)
Noise Ordinance Proposal
Tualatin's Noise Ordinance has a fatal flaw: Variances. The code currently allows any violator to apply for a variance (an exemption) and the City Manager can grant the variance without public notice, without public input, without a public hearing, and without even notifying the City Council.
The residents of Tualatin are requesting a new noise ordinance, and a moratorium on noise variances, in order to address the issues outlined in our Noise Ordinance Proposal. This is necessary to preserve and protect neighborhood livability.
Noise Pollution from Lam
Noise from Lam's Tualatin facility has plagued the nearby community since January 2023. Lam’s rooftop fans can be heard over a mile away on Durham Road in Tigard. Nearby Tualatin residents are being kept awake at night by this equipment. For the neighbors who live across the street from Lam’s gas plant, the continuous high-pitched hiss is a constant annoyance. Lam's noise model predicts that the TUX expansion will be even louder. Lam decided to locate their facility next to an established neighborhood, and Lam needs to operate in a way that is compatible with the surrounding community. We are asking Lam and the City to restore peace and quiet to our neighborhood.
See Also: Audio Recording | Noise Demo | More Videos
Past Projects
What can you do right now?
- Join our email list by contacting connect@tualatinroad.org.
- Sign the Noise Petition.
- Talk to your neighbors.
- Write a Letter to the Editor.
- Post on Social Media and Nextdoor to help spread the word.
