Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bend public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
22 issues
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.
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.
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.
Animal sheltering services agreement
A five-year sole source agreement, up to $550,000 total, keeps the Humane Society of Central Oregon providing animal sheltering and impoundment services for the city.
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.
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.
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.
Bend's eight-year housing need and safe harbors
Bend won't hit its middle housing goal (826 units) and likely won't hit its affordable housing goal (1,818) this biennium, as single-family applications have plateaued. Staff say the goals were always a stretch and are pushing on state funding, permitting efficiency, and helping smaller builders navigate review cycles.
City–Park District Shared Framework
Bend and the park district are formalizing how they collaborate on shared values and facilities. The framework returns October 7 as a resolution, with future work including updated intergovernmental agreements.
Galveston corridor and pressure reducing valve construction
The council approved a $341,981 construction contract with McKernan Enterprises for water system and Galveston Corridor street improvements.
Silver Rail Elementary shooting response and school safety
Six days after a school shooting killed three children and a teacher, the council, police, and school district shared updates on the investigation, the return to school, and community support resources. Residents sharply divided over whether the council should have acted earlier on SRO staffing shortfalls and what security measures should come next.
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.
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.
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.
Sign code amendments
Proposed sign code updates would simplify permitting but expand illuminated signs, clashing with the city's dark-sky interests. Business groups support the flexibility; the Bend Night Sky Alliance warns of growing light pollution. Council deadlocked 3-3 and will revisit.
Lonza enterprise zone tax exemption
The city handed Lonza a ten-year property tax exemption on a $251 million lab expansion in exchange for 81 jobs paying at least 150% of county average wage and school support payments in the extended years.
Lights Out Bend bird protection
A proclamation asks residents to dim unnecessary lights at night during migration seasons — over a billion birds die in building collisions nationally each year, and Think Wild has treated 91 window-strike birds this year alone.
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.
Century West neighborhood district revival
After a grassroots effort led by Jenny Sutton, the Century West neighborhood gets its association back — restoring representation in city programs and a seat at the neighborhood round table.
Development Infrastructure Requirements
Final adoption of BMC Chapter 12.10 changes updates how the city charges developers for growth-related infrastructure.