Time to rein in large-scale, luxury resort development
Ryder Redfield
Support our application to limit new destination resorts in Deschutes County
Over the past decade, we have seen mounting frustration across Central Oregon over proposed and new destination resort developments. From Crook County to Deschutes, echoes of concern over groundwater, wildlife habitat, and rural sprawl continue to reverberate.
That’s why Central Oregon LandWatch is formally requesting that Deschutes County amend its zoning code to limit new destination resort development. Last fall, we submitted an application to the County, asking them to uphold Oregon’s land use law by amending the county code.
On February 23, we presented our application to the Deschutes County Planning Commission. Now, there is an opportunity to voice your support!
Why now?
At one point in time, destination resorts served a different purpose here in Central Oregon. They were meant to bring tourism to remote parts of the state and support rural economies.
Today, Central Oregon looks very different than it did 50 years ago. The tourism economy is established, and we are running into a very different set of issues related to rapid growth along with the compounding effects of climate change. From heightened wildfire risk to stressors on available water, continued large-scale luxury development puts us - and our ecosystems - at risk.
It’s time to recognize that enough is enough.
Shannon Wine
A population of 100,000
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 destination resorts in the rural county outside of city limits. These four resorts, Eagle Crest, Tetherow, Pronghorn (now called Juniper Preserve), and Caldera Springs, came in addition to the historic resorts of Black Butte, Sunriver, 7th Mountain, and Widgi Creek. The four new resorts were permitted under Oregon’s land use law; Statewide Planning Goal 8 Recreation provides a path for resort development in certain instances, meant to promote tourism in rural areas.
Mule deer in Deschutes County: Greg Burke
However, Goal 8 also includes an important limitation on destination resorts. Because Oregon’s land use laws generally protect rural land for farms, forests, open space, and wildlife habitat, destination resorts are only permitted to a point. According to Goal 8 and Oregon statute (ORS 197.455), “The county may not allow destination resorts [...] Within 24 air miles of an urban growth boundary with an existing population of 100,000 or more unless residential uses are limited to those necessary for the staff and management of the resort.”
With its exceptional growth over the last 30 years, the population of Bend now exceeds 100,000. Deschutes County’s zoning code needs to be updated to reflect this limitation on destination resort development.
Late last year, LandWatch applied to Deschutes County to add this language to its zoning code, which will ensure that any new or expanded destination resort proposals will not include sprawling luxury development on our rural lands.
In planning ahead for a sustainable future for Central Oregon - one that supports rural economies, protects farmland, and defends wildlife habitat - LandWatch is proud to submit this application on behalf of our supporters.
Voice your support
Do you support code amendments to limit destination resort development in Deschutes County? We need your help!
1. Submit A Written Comment of support
You can email Deschutes County now to let them know you support our proposal to reign in destination resorts in Deschutes County. Email your comments to Tarik Rawlings, Associate Planner, at Tarik.Rawlings@deschutes.org. Make sure to include Application Number 247-22-000835-TA in your subject line.
2. Testify at the hearing
A continued hearing on our application before the Deschutes County Planning Commission is scheduled for March 9 at 5:30 pm. You can attend virtually on Zoom or in person.
Want to attend and testify in person? Meet at 5:30 in the the Deschutes Services Center, Barnes & Sawyer Rooms, at 1300 Wall Street in Bend. When you arrive, you’ll fill out a form saying that you want to testify and you’ll be given a few minutes to speak during the public testimony portion of the hearing.
Want to attend and testify virtually? Join the Zoom meeting room at 5:30. You can indicate that you’d like to testify during the public testimony portion of the hearing. You’ll be given a few minutes to speak via Zoom.
Not sure what to say?
Just let the County know that you support limiting new destination resorts in Deschutes County as required by state law. Not amending the county code as requested by LandWatch would be directly contrary to state law. Now that Bend has surpassed 100,000 in population, Deschutes County should affirmatively amend its code to recognize ORS 197.455(1)(a), which has been on the books since 1986.
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.
If you haven’t subscribed to our email updates and action alerts, sign up to stay in the know.