County Commissioners reverse decision to limit destination resorts
An unexpected turn of events
On August 9, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) reversed their approval of LandWatch’s proposed amendments to the county code that would have limited new, luxury destination resorts in Deschutes County.
Ryder Redfield
The BOCC’s failure to follow through on their initial decision disregards the prevailing opinion of Deschutes County residents that further development of this kind is not compatible with a sustainable future for our region and endangers wildlife, water, and agricultural livelihoods on rural lands.
LandWatch remains committed to protecting our rural lands, and we are considering next steps to limit new destination resort development in Deschutes County.
Jarred Decker
Overwhelming support for limits to destination resorts
For years, Central Oregonians have been voicing overwhelming concern for the impacts that new destination resorts would have on wildlife, water, open space, rural infrastructure, and more. With a changing climate and mounting concerns over water, wildlife habitat, and regional resiliency, the urgency has only intensified.
In March, the Deschutes County Planning Commission voted to recommend the approval of our application to the Board of County Commissioners.
On July 12, an important milestone was reached as the Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on our proposed text amendment. The vast majority of the oral testimony delivered at the hearing, as well as the 500+ written comments submitted to the record, vividly demonstrate the overwhelming desire of Central Oregonians to prevent any future development of mega-destination resorts.
Finally, on July 26, it seemed Central Oregon had achieved a big win as the County Commissioners voted in favor of approving LandWatch’s proposed text amendments.
Unfortunately, the community’s elation was short-lived.
In a “first reading” of the ordinance on August 9 - usually a quick formality required by state law (ORS 203.045(3)) for adoption of all local government ordinances - the Board of County Commissioners reversed their earlier vote and denied the proposed text amendments.
This surprise reversal put a sudden end to this chapter of the fight to end the era of mega-destination resorts in Deschutes County.
Enough is enough
Deschutes County currently has several destination resorts and more than any other Oregon county. Over the past 20 years, Deschutes County has approved four large new destination resorts in the rural county outside of city limits, in addition to several historic resorts, that disproportionately impact our limited natural resources.
Ryder Redfield
That’s why last fall, Central Oregon LandWatch submitted an application requesting Deschutes County amend its zoning code to conform to a longstanding state law (ORS 197.455(1)(a)) that prevents sprawling residential development in new destination resort development within 24 miles of a nearby city with a population exceeding 100,000 – which includes Bend.
This ensures that any new or expanded destination resort proposals will not include sprawling luxury development onto rural lands.
LandWatch’s proposed text amendments would have aligned County Code with both established state law and Deschutes County’s Comprehensive Plan.
Greg Chapel
A Watchdog for Central Oregon
At LandWatch, we serve as a watchdog organization and continually monitor development across Central Oregon. When we see something that clearly violates Oregon’s land use policies or environmental laws, we sound the alarm.
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