HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-05 Deschutes 2040 - Key Themes, Issues, Vision AttachmentAttachment
Initial List of Comprehensive Plan Policy Issues for Planning Commission Discussion,
Oct. 13 Work Session
Agriculture and Forestry
• Prevalence of small “hobby farms” with low farm income
• Increased desire/need for agri-tourism activities to supplement farm activity income
• Preservation and support of high quality farm land
• Declining timber production, particularly on public land
• Prevalence of non-farm dwellings in resource zones in comparison to other
counties; due in part to less productive soils and irrigation constraints
• Challenges with irrigation piping projects
• Changes in water supply and growing season likely to impact future agricultural
production
• Interest in opportunities to improve on-farm water efficiencies
Housing and Growth
• Continued strong overall population growth, coupled with significant rural
residential development is creating rural residential growth pressures and concerns
about impacts on County character and resources
• Increased growth and development in cities likely will continue to lead to
urban/rural conflicts and pressures on rural facilities
• Relationship to wildfire risk and impacts (see natural hazards)
Economy and Tourism
• Continued strong economic growth, including in trade and transportation,
education and health care, tourism, and agriculture/forestry (at a somewhat
declining rate)
• EDCO is the County’s economic development agency; continued strong coordination
with them is essential
• Increased pressure to rezone to or expand property already in Rural Commercial
and Rural Industrial zoned properties due to limitations in other zones
• Increased economic activity in unincorporated communities (Tumalo, Terrebonne,
Sunriver).
• Economic opportunities and challenges from destination resort development
Water Supply
• Continued increases in temperature likely to lead to decreasing snowpack
• Availability and access of well water for residential uses
• Although non-agricultural uses represent 2% of overall basin supply, continued
concern surrounding landscape watering (golf courses, watering gardens, lawns,
sports fields, etc.)
Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation
• Access to recreation a defining characteristic and economic driver in County
• Most recreational opportunities and resources managed by other agencies and
operators
• County not a significant parks provider but does own parks properties, primarily
designated for natural resource protection
• Recreation in the future is expected to be impacted by increased wildfire and
smoke, water quality issues, drought, and increased human activity; managing these
conditions in coordination with the County’s partners will be a key challenge for the
future
Natural Hazards
• Most significant hazards: winter storms, wildfires, windstorms, drought
• Significant attention on wildfire prevention and mitigation strategies, given
increasing prevalence and impacts; exacerbated by rising temperatures and water
supply impacts
• Strong relationship between water supply, water infrastructure, and wildfire-related
impacts
• Increasing growth in rural development and housing leading to increasing risk and
proximity to wildfires (wildfire urban interface)
• Winter storms are most significant hazard identified in county; policies needed to
address
Transportation
• Topics surrounding transportation are being reviewed and addressed through
current Transportation System Plan (TSP) Update. The TSP will be adopted as the
Transportation component of the Comprehensive Plan.