Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bend public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues with high priority
Southeast Area supplemental transportation fee
New development in the Southeast Area would pay an extra fee — about $2,660 per typical single-family home on top of the existing $10,230 transportation SDC — to fund three road projects totaling $11 million, including roundabouts at 27th/Caldera and Caldera/Journey Way. It's developer-requested and would replace the current 'who builds first' standoff.
Eminent domain for Reed Market Bridge Project
The city locked in $32.3 million in federal money to finish design and construction of the Reed Market Bridge over the BNSF railroad tracks — a GO Bond project easing east-west travel.
Outback Well Improvements
The city is close to buying 48 acres of Forest Service land next to its key water treatment facility, needed for a pretreatment facility and possibly in-conduit hydropower. Two related items come to council May 20.
Juniper Ridge Reserve Loan for Affordable Housing Projects
BURA wants a loan from the city's unrestricted $5 million Juniper Ridge reserve to cover park district fees for affordable housing projects. Council favors helping only the two projects already under construction and wants to see actual rents before committing — the money could otherwise fund airport, water, police or shelter needs.
Tax Increment Assistance policy for housing affordability
Most roundtable participants backed exempting deed-restricted affordable housing from the fee, and several pushed to extend exemptions to middle housing up to 120% of Area Median Income. Climate advocates warned every exemption weakens the fee and worries about stranded gas assets hitting lower-income owners later.
Employment growth forecast for land planning
Developers say tree rules and process complexity are pushing jobs to neighboring cities. Council rejected full deregulation of industrial land but backed a flat per-acre fee feeding a tree mitigation bank, plus easier mass grading and on-site rock crushing.
Fiscal Policy Updates
Staff proposed tweaks to the city's fiscal rulebook, including spending 20% of street preservation money on bike/pedestrian/safety projects and letting the City Manager approve new positions rather than the council. Councilors want clearer target language and deeper budget conversations.
Wildfire Defensible Space Code
Bend is entirely high wildfire risk, and a proposed community-wide defensible space code could require work like clearing the first five feet around homes, limiting bark mulch, and non-combustible fencing. Council wants community buy-in via a citizen assembly, faster action on new construction, and a pilot project in a high-risk neighborhood before next fire season. Costs and equity are open questions.
Neighborhood-Serving Commercial and VMT Goals
A new market analysis found residents don't shop near home and zoning patterns make true neighborhood commercial districts hard to create — which challenges Bend's vehicle miles traveled reduction goals. Council discussed Climate Friendly Areas, allowing commercial on both sides of streets, and adding homes near Juniper Ridge.
Affordable housing progress at Summit area
Councilor Platt highlighted a Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking for affordable homes near an elementary school, prioritizing Bend-La Pine Schools staff.
Sunday dial-a-ride cut for disabled riders
Cascades East Transit canceled Sunday dial-a-ride in September over budget shortfalls, stranding disabled riders who use it for church and jobs. Joyce Nichols asked the city to fund roughly $2,000 per Sunday to restore it.
Lava/Delaware diverter rework
A dozen Old Bend residents told council the new traffic diverters are funneling cut-through traffic onto narrow streets, sending cars over curbs and through stop signs, and making the neighborhood less safe for walkers and cyclists. Staff promised quick-build barriers, police enforcement and ADA ramps while the two-year pilot continues.