City & Towns Update: City Council adopts new goals!

When the new Bend City Council was sworn in at the beginning of this year, we asked, ‘How will this council address the housing crisis as Bend continues to grow?” We invited you to weigh in to support tangible solutions to create complete neighborhoods with affordable, safe, and healthy housing. 

Many of you reached out, and now we have answers!

On Wednesday, March 17th, the Bend City Council adopted six goals with promising strategies to achieve them. This is an exciting shift for the City to focus on making Bend’s growth work for everyone. We applaud the hard work and vision that went into creating this incredible two-year work plan. We encourage you to support these City Council as they work toward these goals. 

Highlights

We asked the City to reduce barriers to development and promote infrastructure within the current UGB’s Opportunity Areas and Expansion Areas.

They committed to:

• Develop land use & infrastructure plans for Core, Southeast Area, Juniper Ridge, and Bend Airport.

• Use Equity Mapping to inform Bond implementation, capital project investments, and maintenance activities.

• Work to ensure housing opportunities occur in all areas of the City are near schools, parks, services, and employment opportunities.

• Plan for future growth and update the City’s Housing Needs Analysis so we can match demand with supply and prepare for a revised Urban Growth Boundary.

• Remove and reduce regulatory barriers for the development of housing, with an emphasis on incentivizing rent and price restricted affordable housing, middle-income housing, and housing that serves vulnerable community members.

• A review of existing land use designations to find more housing opportunities, including the Juniper Ridge property and other publicly-owned lands.

* The City will need to update its Comprehensive Plan before making any revisions to the Urban Growth Boundary

We asked the City to implement the Core Area Plan with clear direction and leadership. Check out the specifics of this in-depth plan here.

They committed to:

• Advance facilities planning to include a new City Hall* and a shared public works campus.

• Develop land use and infrastructure plans for the Core Area (including Downtown), the Southeast, Juniper Ridge, and the Bend Airport.

• Develop housing-specific strategies and targets in the Core and Southeast Area Plans.

*potentially in Core Area

We asked the City to prioritize transportation projects that foster complete communities.

They committed to: 

• Construct at least one complete north/south and one east/west key route that creates a connected bike and pedestrian network.

• Partner with agencies, stakeholders, and Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) to increase transportation options.

• Expand partnerships with Bend-La Pine Schools and the Bend Park and Recreation District with a focus on equity while funding the Neighborhood Street Safety and other programs that provide safe, connected, and accessible routes.

• Implement a sidewalk program to maintain and expand the City’s sidewalk network.

• Leverage projects in the GO Bond and Capital Improvement Project plans to provide housing opportunities.

• Implement the programs identified in the Recommended Near-term Programs in the Transportation System Plan and develop and track progress, including travel time predictability.

• Implement Bond and Capital Improvement Program projects and programs that address community mobility demands using Equity Mapping tools.

• Develop and adopt vision zero action plan, code changes, and design standards to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries.

• Advocate for and track strategies to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) consistent with the Transportation System Plan.

We asked the City to support housing policies that benefit community members experiencing the greatest burden (i.e., renters, multi-family housing, the unhoused and unsheltered community).

They committed to:

• Collaborate with Deschutes County to create an Emergency Homelessness Task Force that results in a 5- year Community Action Plan aimed at eliminating homelessness.

• Create housing or facilities to house 500 homeless individuals on a temporary or permanent basis.

• Create 1,000 units of rent and price-restricted housing that are accessible and affordable to all.

• Remove and reduce regulatory barriers for the development of housing, with emphasis on incentivizing rent and price restricted affordable housing, middle-income housing, and housing that serves vulnerable community members.

• Modify City codes to allow for managed camps, shelters, and other facilities to address homelessness.

• Increase funding sources to obtain housing/facilities and related supportive services to serve community members who are housing insecure or experiencing homelessnessLeverage legislative opportunities to obtain housing for those most in need and provide additional opportunities for first-time homeownership.

We asked the City to support a tree preservation code that protects the trees we love inside the city. 

They committed to: 

• Revise the development code and other relevant standards to protect trees while balancing housing affordability and natural resource preservation.