The city of Bend sent notice this week that the state is ready to give Bend a final word on its 25-year growth plan, which the city submitted to the state earlier this year after several long years of work by city staff, the planning commission and the council.
However, it looks as though the plan is likely to be kicked back to the city for a major re-work, according to one person with close knowledge of the formal process, who spoke to me off the record about the project.
The plan has long been the subject of controversy, a sort of proxy battle over the city’s history of pro-growth policies. And the council made no bones about its desire to include as much land as legally defensible in the new plan, which delineates how and where Bend can grow as the urban area expands into the surrounding rural areas of Deschutes County. However, it looks as though the city’s go-big strategy is going to result in a go-home result, as the Department of Land Conservation and Development sends the city back to the proverbial drawing board. Meanwhile, it’s anybody’s guess as to how long it will actually take Bend to exhaust the existing inventory of unsold and/or unfinished homes – not to mention all the unfinished and bankrupt housing development projects that dot the landscape.
This article appears in Nov 5-11, 2009.
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We can only envy all those other 49 states that have not followed Oregon’s lead 36 years ago into the darkness of state controlled land planning. Governmental units below state level, i.e. cities and counties’ only role is to act as police for the state’s wishes are on land use decisions. The state’s wishes were not met by Deschutes County and City of Bend. So, to h— with local wishes…”you, County and City, will redo until we like it!!!” It is no wonder our unemployment ranks toward the top. Our now 36 years under Senate Bill 100 continues, and we do it alone.
control on land use.Thank you for covering this very important story. John VanLandingham said no, in a 150 page order against the City. I think that Oregonians should consider secession – eastern Oregon, and the State of Jefferson. I will link your story (and, any additional ones), back to it on my web site where I have as many Bend UGB stories as I can find. I support and advocate local control of land use issues. Unfortunately, local cities don’t even control their own cities anymore, because of statewide laws such as growth management acts in a few states.
On a national level, Bend really is the poster child for a pro-business city council versus anti-growth / anti-business state officials with DLCD. I know of no other place where there is so much conflict.
Look at the PSU population results. Deschusets County was the fastest growing county in Oregon, 2000-2009 at 48% – vs. 10% in Multnomah County (Portland) and 7% in Lane County (Eugene).
Every few days I search for “Bend UGB,” and as more newspapers become aware of the DLCD order, they will cover it. The Bend City officials are some of the best urban planners in the Western US. They have created a City that has consistently ranked highly in so many categories. If there is any city that deserves to grow in Oregon, it’s Bend … due to its focus on parks, open space, and bike trails. DLCD’s Richard Whitman, Bruce McPherson, and John VanLandingham should leave eastern Oregon and State of Jefferson cities alone.
I wish you all the best with 15% unemployment, fortunately, you’re ranked with a 46 on the Policom Economic Vitality Index (out of several hundred). That is a great number, and indicates the exceptionally talented entrepreneurs who are moving to Bend/Redmond.
Interesting that even housing starts are up about 10% in New England, because they don’t have such strong Socialistic