2005-1265-Minutes for Meeting November 01,2005 Recorded 11/4/2005DESCHUTES COUNTY OFFICIAL RECORDS
NANCY BLANKENSHIP, COUNTY CLERK
COMMISSIONERS' JOURNAL 11104/2005 03:48:30 PM
11 JillII-Ili�� 1111111111 IIIIII
2
DESCHUTES COUNTY CLERK
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(Archived)
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org
MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING
DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2005
Commissioners' Meeting Room - Administration Building - 1130 NW Harriman St., Bend
Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke and Michael M. Daly. Commissioner
Tom DeWolf was out of the office. Also present were Laurie Craghead, Legal
Counsel; Catherine Morrow, Steve Jorgensen, Kevin Harrison and Cathy White,
Community Development Department; George Kolb, Road Department; Attorney
Nancy Craven and Thomas Walker of W & H Pacific for the applicants; and seven
other citizens. No representatives of the media were present.
The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a de novo public hearing regarding an
appeal of the Deschutes County Hearings Officer's decision denying a 34 -lot
subdivision located west of Bend in the UAR-10 zone. The file numbers are A-05-9
(CU -05-17 and TP -05-958) and the applicant is Tumalo Creek Development, LLC.
Vice Chair Mike Daly opened the meeting at 2: 00 p.m.
Vice Chair Daly read the opening statement (a copy is attached as Exhibit A).
Commissioner Luke stated he has known the applicants for a number of years, but
has had no pre -hearing contacts regarding this issue and feels there is no conflict of
interest. Commissioner Daly said that he also has known the applicants for a long
time, but has had no pre -hearing contacts with them regarding this issue.
There were no challenges from the audience as to bias, personal interest or
prejudgment from the public.
Cathy White gave an overview of the history of the application and appeal. (A
copy of the staff report is attached as Exhibit B) She summarized the four issues
on appeal. She said that Steve Jorgensen, Senior Transportation Planner and
Catherine Morrow, Planner Director, would also testify.
Public Hearing regarding Tumalo Creek Development, LLC Appeal
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 Page 1 of 9 Pages
Ms. White referred to oversized maps of the properties, explaining to the Board
where the parcels are located. The urban growth boundary the Bend City limits are
adjacent; and in fact one parcel appears to be within the City limits. She pointed
out where subdivisions, schools and parks are located.
The Hearings Officer denied the approval because part of the property is located
within the City and she has no authority over that decision. One proposal is to do a
lot line adjustment to correct this problem. The applicant appealed the denial and
has asked that there be an assignment of error to correct this situation.
Bend Metro Parks & Recreation District has agreed to participate in the lot line
adjustment process. They will in turn receive a donation of a portion of the
property for park purposes, and that parcel will no longer be a part of the
subdivision proposal.
Concerning the building envelope, the purpose of urban area reserve zone is to
make sure that adequate property is held in reserve for future development. Also,
the proposed subdivision needs to comply the land use of the area and areas of
special interest. Eventually the property will be annexed into the City.
The property does have an area of special interest running between two lots. The
Hearings Officer found that for orderly development each lot should have a
building envelope. The applicant disagrees with this interpretation, and maintains
that the intent was not to have all of the lots within a building envelope, but just
specific lots, especially those that face Shevlin Park and to preserve areas of
special interest.
Commissioner Luke stated that the likelihood of Shevlin Park ever being
developed by anyone is extremely remote. He asked why there should be building
envelopes on the lots that fact the Park. Ms. White replied that this is for the
protection of impacts to the Park. This was part of the applicant's discussions with
Bend Metro Park & Recreation District, and the applicant agreed it was appropriate
to keep those lots at ten acres with building envelopes.
Commissioner Daly asked if the ten -acre minimum will go away when the City
annexes the property. Laurie Craghead indicated that there will likely be deed
restrictions on specific lots that would prevent this from happening.
Ms. White explained that by removing the envelopes, there is no guarantee for the
County to know if the area will be available for future development. If there is no
restriction on where the buyer can build on the property, 75% of the open space the
applicant is to provide could be lost. However, the City could allow a higher
density once the area is annexed.
Public Hearing regarding Tumalo Creek Development, LLC Appeal
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 Page 2 of 9 Pages
Commissioner Luke asked if everything the Hearings Officer is requiring in part of
the Code. Ms. Craghead replied she has not checked everything yet.
Ms. White stated that the third assignment of error is the Skyline Ranch Road
dedication. The Hearings Officer wants the dedication to be 40 feet. It would be a
planned collector for the southeast side of the subdivision. An additional 800 feet
needs to be built. Steve Jorgensen indicated where the road is located and what
areas are served by the road. The road ends at the City limits at this point.
Ms. White explained that this would be a secondary access. The primary access
would be located at the northern section off Plain Drive, which is a public road that
needs to be improved. It connects to Shevlin Park Road. The southern access
point is located in the southeast corner. There are three alternatives: Skyline
Ranch Road, which is not yet built; a road in Northwest Crossing to the east; or a
road connection to the Miller Tree Farm property to the south. Also, there is a
proposed emergency access located at the north end between lots 32 and 33,
through the Three Pines subdivision.
The Hearings Officer states they need to dedicate Skyline Ranch Road before
issuing building permits. That is linked to a rural fire protection standard, which is
up to 25 dwelling units for a single access; any more than that requires an
additional access point. The phases show this dedication at the last phase, which
would be more than 25 lots. This raises questions regarding the secondary access.
The fourth assignment of error is that each dwelling unit is to have a residential fire
extinguishing system. The Hearings Officer imposed this condition to be added to
the CC&R's. W&H Pacific and the applicant have worked with the Fire Marshal
to add the property to Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District No. 2.
Therefore, the applicant feels this requirement should be removed.
Commissioner Luke observed that sprinkler systems in residential buildings are not
required per the State Building Code. He added that he does not feel this should be
a condition of approval.
Ms. White said she asked the Fire Marshal to comment on this requirement, and
his memo is attached to the staff report. He is not requiring it, although he said
these systems can provide some benefits.
Steve Jorgensen then testified. He said that he has worked with the Planning
Director and the Road Department to analyze the road situation more closely.
They looked at connectivity of local and future roads, and what this means to the
project once it has been urbanized. There is also a question about the forty feet of
dedication for Skyline Ranch Road and whether it will ever be built.
Public Hearing regarding Tumalo Creek Development, LLC Appeal
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 Page 3 of 9 Pages
(He referred to oversized maps and aerial photos showing existing and planned
roads) The current road runs behind Summit High School. Northwest Crossing
has approved plans for roads that meet up with the property. Nothing is shown for
the Miller property to the south. The other property that is not connected by a road
has a physical barrier, probably a rock outcropping.
Mr. Jorgensen said that he would like to see the applicant work to identify whether
Skyline Ranch Road can be built in the alignment shown. Extensive cut and fill
work would be necessary due to the slope and grade. It perhaps could work but
this is not detailed in the applicant's burden of proof. It does not say who would
built it and how it will be built and connected. They need to take advantage of the
terrain as much as possible. The biggest problem is a canyon. Also, the local road
that is to connect to it also has development problems and will need to be
realigned.
The other question is the one of orderly development. Shadow plat maps show it
connecting to Three Pines subdivision for emergency access. The main entrance
would be through McClain Road. There could be a future connection to Northwest
Crossing, but nothing has been identified from the south. It the area becomes
urbanized, it is uncertain how this would happen.
Commissioner Luke asked if the City of Bend looked at this situation since it is in
the urban reserve area. Ms. Craghead said that in Robin Lewis' memo, she raised
some of the same points. This is contained in the staff report.
Mr. Jorgensen explained that the Hearings Officer's requirements gave an and/or
kind of idea. He would like to see all of these things conditioned, not just one or
two. There really needs to be a realistic Skyline Ranch Road connection, and some
connectivity to the Miller property.
Commissioner Luke asked George Kolb, engineer with the Road Department, if he
had any comments. He did not. Commissioner Daly asked Mr. Kolb if he had
looked at the property's right of way. He said he had not, and that the
topographical maps show much of the information.
Commissioner Daly noted that some adjacent properties are already developed
with stubbed streets.
Ms. Craghead clarified that these are not actually requirements since the Hearings
Officer denied the application, but are suggestions for the Board to consider.
Public Hearing regarding Tumalo Creek Development, LLC Appeal
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 Page 4 of 9 Pages
Ms. White stated tax lot 101 was the subject of a possible lot line adjustment. The
initial application was found to be incomplete, so a lot of record verification was
done. Approval was not conditioned on this basis.
Nancy Craven, attorney for the applicant, and Thomas Walker of W&H Pacific
then testified. They present information to the Board at this time (these are
attached as Exhibits C and D). They indicated Scott Carlson, the CFO of Hooker
Creek Company, and Matt Day, the owner. She said there are four issues to be
addressed at this time that were raised in the appeal. These are the lot line
adjustment, building envelopes, Skyline Ranch Road and the fire sprinkler
systems.
Regarding the lot line adjustment, the applicant worked extensively with the Park
District. This situation has been addressed and is now part of the record. A small
parcel of land was dedicated to the Park District, and this addresses the Hearings
Officer's concerns.
The development was designed for ten -acre lots, consistent with UAR zoning.
After meeting with the Park District and other individuals, it was decided that the
lots located along the boundary of Shevlin Park were to be delineated with building
envelopes. The setbacks greatly exceed those that are required in the zone. This
insures there will be no further subdivision of those lots, even if the property is
annexed into the City. These building envelopes will be a buffer between the Park
and urban development, and will be identified in the CCR's. The overall intent is
to have the lots located closer to the City smaller, then larger as they go away from
the City.
In the memo that was just submitted, the building envelopes were addressed. They
are proposed on lots 2 through 6 and in areas of special interest. The developer
does not feel building envelopes are necessary on the remaining lots, and the
Hearings Officer did not indicate they are needed for orderly development. The
exact locations of the buildings on the lots are not relevant to the orderly
development of the overall pattern. The Hearings Officer has found this in other
decisions. The developer would like to see the building envelopes required where
appropriate.
Ms. Craven suggested that the Commissioners look at the memo and compare it
with the Hearings Officer's decision; this will show that the developer made a
good case that the building envelopes in other than the two locations are not
necessary to address future development concerns.
Public Hearing regarding Tumalo Creek Development, LLC Appeal
Tuesday, November I, 2005 Page 5 of 9 Pages
Commissioner Luke said that there has been a lot of talk in the past about
developments around Portland, with concerns that if houses are in the wrong
configuration the city will not be able to make the best use of the land at a later
time. Ms. Craven stated her memo addresses this concern; she added she does not
believe the exact location of the building envelope within a ten -acre lot is relevant.
Tom Walker then testified. He said Skyline Ranch Road is a dedicated collector in
the City's urban growth boundary. The Hearings Officer found that a condition of
approval requiring improvements to that road is proper. However, it would not
connect anything or go anywhere. The Hearings Officer also found that portions
of the road might be difficult to construct due to the terrain. Engineers should
determine the most feasible location for the road. The Hearings Officer also
indicated this should be addressed at the final approval point.
Commissioner Luke asked if there would be a problem if the property does not sell
that quickly, and the property located to the south comes into the City and develops
but no alignment has been established. Mr. Walker replied that that is always a
potential problem, as you cannot always know when an adjacent property will
develop.
Commissioner Luke asked if the secondary road is not planned until the 27t'' lot.
Mr. Walker replied that it would be the 30'h lot, and that the Hearings Officer
found that the roadways in the southeast corner should be designed with the
County's transportation planner.
The topography, which includes ridges and deep canyons, complicates the design
of the road. He said Steve Jorgensen raised some issues regarding grid
connections. Three Pines subdivision stubbed out a road at the property at the
north boundary. Three Pines streets are private, and a private/public connection is
not possible. This location would provide only an emergency access, which
complies with requirements. A fire gate would be in place.
He said Mr. Jorgensen talked about Anderson Ranch Road to the east. Their roads
are also private. But with steep topography along the eastern boundary, a
connection is not feasible.
A street connection to Northwest Crossing was identified. Several things have
happened. One road provides access to Ridgetop, which was originally a cul-de-
sac. This can only occur when Northwest Crossing develops it. On the south
boundary the owner of Miller Tree Farm has reached an agreement regarding
connectivity. They worked with the Road Department and believe they have
reached what is required by staff.
Public Hearing regarding Tumalo Creek Development, LLC Appeal
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 Page 6 of 9 Pages
There are conflicting standards of the City and County. Collector streets are a City
standard. This property is under County jurisdiction now, but because it is in
urban area reserve, City issues have to be addressed. Another issue in this regard
is the City's system development charges. When the property comes into the City,
SDC's will be paid. Mr. Walker proposed that a right of way be identified to
accommodate a future road to be built to County road standards, but one that can
accommodate a City collector in the future. The SDC's provide a mechanism to do
this.
Approval conditions have been proposed to address these issues. He proposed
resubmitting the tentative plan, identifying an alignment for Skyline Ranch Road
taking into account the terrain, to address the concerns raised. Skyline Ranch Road
was initially constructed to a local standard to provide access to a private lot.
Ms. Craghead said that this is an impermissible delegation outside of this process.
Connectivity needs to be shown now and cannot be deferred to a later date; there
needs to be another public process to run this through.
Mr. Walker replied that this is just a refinement of the discussion today. A
resubmittal to the Road Department would refine it. The Hearings Officer imposed
a requirement for a future emergency access, and this is the same kind of logic.
Ms. Craghead stated that the conditions imposed are much more open-ended than
those of the Hearings Officer. She said she would have to look at this further. Ms.
Craven stated that this would be a revision to the alignment of Skyline Ranch
Road, and not a significant change to the tentative plat that was already submitted.
She added that there should be a way to resolve these questions, either with a
clarification of the findings or a submittal.
Commissioner Luke stated that since these documents were just received, Counsel
and staff need time to analyze and clarify the information. He added that he does
not want to have the County's road engineer making a decision that could be
appealed on that basis later.
Commissioner Daly indicated the lot line adjustment is appropriate. He disagrees
with the Hearings Officer regarding the building envelopes. The road dedication
seems to be the biggest issue. The last issue is the requirement for residential fire
sprinklers.
Public Hearing regarding Tumalo Creek Development, LLC Appeal
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 Page 7 of 9 Pages
Mr. Walker said that he talked with Gary Marshall, the Fire Marshal, and there
appear to be no issues with the requirement for sprinklers. The Hearings Officer
recommended this, but does not know what kind of homes might be built. Initially
there will not be an urban water distribution system. There are a number of ways
to address this issue to conform to the rules of the Fire Protection District. All the
developer wants is the flexibility to work within the standard, which does not
necessarily include fire sprinkler systems. According to the Fire Marshal, there are
a number of options available.
Ms. Craven added that the annexation to the Rural Fire Protection District occurred
after the Hearings Officer heard the issue.
Commissioner Luke noted that the Fire Marshal's Association on a national level
has been trying to have residential sprinkler systems required for a long time, but
have not been able to make their case. In colder climates these systems are not
always practical. The Project Wildfire Committee works with developers and the
County Forester to develop wildfire management plans. If this applicant would
work with the Forester to develop an appropriate plan, it would be helpful. This
was done voluntarily with Cascade Highlands. It benefits the area and the
development.
Commissioner Daly agreed that there should be more flexibility to pick the best
option.
Vice Chair Daly asked if anyone else wished to speak on behalf of the applicant.
No testimony was offered.
He asked if anyone wished to testify in opposition. None was offered.
He asked if staff had any closing comments. Cathy White said the staff report
contains a list of specific suggestions provide by Bend Fire Department. Those
comments came in prior to the hearing. Specific conditions were noted, as shown
on page 8 of the staff report. She said she is uncertain whether those are
appropriate now that the property is within the Rural Fire Protection District.
Steve Jorgensen pointed out there is a willingness to address the conditions, and he
wants to go over the applicant's suggestions. He said the construction of Skyline
Ranch Road is not required, but needs to be dedicated in a logical location. The
standard would have to be reviewed, as there is a big difference between a local
street and a collector street standard.
Public Hearing regarding Tumalo Creek Development, LLC Appeal
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 Page 8 of 9 Pages
Vice Chair Daly continued the hearing until the Wednesday, November 9, 10:00
a.m. Board meeting, at which time this will be addressed further.
DATED this 1St Day of November 2005 for the Deschutes County Board
of Commissioners.
ATTEST:
(&a,m� 6X11
Recording Secretary
Tom DeWolf, Chair
i ael M. Daly, ommissioner
Dennis R. Luke, Commissioner
Attachment
Exhibit A: Preliminary statement (3 pages)
Exhibit B: Staff report dated November 1, 2005 (14 pages)
Exhibit C: Statement in Support of Appeal of Hearings Officer's Decision (4
pages)
Exhibit D: Memorandum dated November 1, 2005 from W&H Pacific (10 pages)
Public Hearing regarding Tumalo Creek Development, LLC Appeal
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 Page 9 of 9 Pages
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT IN APPEALS BEFORE THE BOARD
I. INTRODUCTION
A. This is a de novo hearing on an appeal of the Deschutes County
Hearings Officer's decision denying a 34 -lot subdivision located west of
Bend in the UAR-10 zone.
File numbers: A-05-9 (CU -05-17 & TP -05-958)
B. In the application, the applicant proposes to establish a 34 -lot subdivision
to be called "Tumalo Creek Estates" on a 376 -acre parcel in which each
lot would be at least 10 acres in size and served by public roads.
II. BURDEN OF PROOF AND APPLICABLE CRITERIA
A. The applicant has the burden of proving that they are entitled to the land
use approval sought.
B. The standards applicable to the application before us are listed on
pages 1 and 2 of the Hearings Officer's decision dated August 29, 2005
and are posted on the wall.
C. Testimony and evidence at this hearing must be directed toward the
criteria set forth in the decision of the Hearings Officer report, the staff
report as well as toward any other criteria in the comprehensive land use
plan of the County or land use regulations which any person believes
applies to this decision.
D. Failure on the part of any person to raise an issue with sufficient
specificity to afford the Board of County Commissioners and parties to
this proceeding an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal
to the Land Use Board of Appeals on that issue. Additionally, failure of
the applicant to raise constitutional or other issues relating to the
proposed conditions of approval with sufficient specificity to allow the
Board to respond to the issue precludes an action for damages in circuit
court.
Page 1 of 3 -Chair's Opening Statement for Land Use Hearings
File: A-05-9 (CU -05-17, TP -05-958)
Date of Hearing: 11/01/05
Exhibit —
Page �_ of -21,
1*
III_ "" $ ARINGS PROCEDURE
A. Evidence to be reviewed by the Board.
The Board's decision on this application will be based upon the record
before the Hearings Officer, the Hearings Officer's decision, the Staff Report
and the testimony and evidence presented at this hearing.
IV. ORDER OF PRESENTATION
A. The hearing will be conducted in the following order.
1. The staff will give a report.
2. The applicant will then have an opportunity to offer testimony and
evidence.
3. Proponents of the appeal will then be given a chance to testify and
present evidence. When all other proponents have testified,
opponents to the appeal will then be given a chance to testify and
present evidence.
4. After both proponents and opponents have testified, the applicants will
be allowed to present rebuttal testimony but may not present new
evidence.
5. At the Board's discretion, if the applicants presented new evidence on
rebuttal, opponents may be recognized for a rebuttal presentation.
6. At the conclusion of this hearing, the staff will be afforded an
opportunity to make any closing comments.
7. The Board may limit the time period for presentations.
B. Cross-examination of witnesses will not be allowed. A witness who
wishes, during that witness' testimony, however, to ask a question of a
previous witness may direct the question to the Chair. If a person has
already testified but wishes to ask a question of a subsequent witness,
Page 2 of 3 -Chair's Opening Statement for Land Use Hearings
File: A-05-9 (CU -05-17, TP -05-958)
Date of Hearing: 11/01/05
Exhibit_ -A
Page 2 of
that person may also direct the question to the Chair after all other
witnesses have testified but prior to the proponent's rebuttal. The
Chair is free to decide whether or not to ask such questions of the
witness.
C. Continuances
1. The grant of a continuance or record extension shall be at the discretion
of the Board.
V. PRE -HEARING CONTACTS, BIASES, CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS
1. Do any of the Commissioners have any ex -parte contacts, prior
hearing observations; biases; or conflicts of interest to declare? If so,
please state the nature and extent of those.
2. Does any party wish to challenge any Commissioner based on ex -
parte contacts, biases or conflicts of interest?
(Hearing no challenges, I shall proceed.)
Page 3 of 3 -Chair's Opening Statement for Land Use Hearings
File: A-05-9 (CU -05-17, TP -05-958)
Date of Hearing: 11/01/05
Exhibit P�
Page _S of
NN r c�
w2� Community Development Department
P p ent
Planning Division Building Safety Division Environmental Health Division
117 NW Lafayette Avenue Bend Oregon 97701-1925
(541)388-6575 FAX(541)385-1764
http://www.co.deschutes.or.us/cdd/
Memorandum
To: Board of County Commissioners
From: Steve Jorgensen, Senior Transportation Planner
CC: Catherine Morrow, Planning Director and Kevin Harrison, Principal Planner
Date: 11/1/05
Re: File No.: A-05-9 (CU -05-17 & TP -05-958) Appeal of the Hearings Officer's Decision Denying a 34 -lot
Subdivision located west of Bend in the UAR-10 zone (Tumalo Creek Estates)
Appellant & applicant: Tumalo Creek Development, LLC
On September 26, 2005, the Board issued an order accepting to hear the applicant's appeal of the
Hearings Officer's decision denying the applicant's 34 -lot subdivision located west of Bend in the
UAR-10 zone. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the BOCC with my transportation -
related comments that apply to the Hearing Officer's findings and may be considered by the BOCC
as part of the official record for this appeal.
I. Background
On August 29, 2005, the Hearings Officer issued a decision denying the applicant's request to
establish a 34 -lot residential subdivision to be called "Tumalo Creek Estates" in which each lot would
be at least 10 acres in size and served by public roads (see attached Hearings Officer's decision).
The proposal is located on the western edge of the Bend city limits and zoned Urban Area Reserve
(UAR-10) with a Destination Resort (DR) overlay (tax lots 17-11-00-6000, an ots 17-11-26-101
and 400, see attached location map and tentative plat.
II. Transportation Issues Raised On Appeal
The appellant raised the following transportation -related assignment of error on appeal relativetb the
Hearings Officers recommended conditions of approval. 11
b. Third Assignment of Error Skyline Ranch Road Dedication
The proposed subdivision will take primary access from a public road with a northem outlet between
Lots 29 and 34 and a southern outlet between lots 20 and 21. The northern outlet would connect the
subdivision road with McClain Drive and thereafter with Shevlin Park Road (see attached Tentative
Plat). The southern outlet would connect the subdivision road with either the future Skyline Ranch
Road, also a designated collector, or a future local street in the adjacent Northwest Crossing
development.
Quality Services Performed with Pride
Exhibit �Z
Page —),--Of
The Hearings Officer recommended the following two conditions of approval relative to the dedication
of Skyline Ranch Road:
PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT FOR THE TWENTY-SIXTH (26"')
SUBDIVISION DWELLING:
22. The applicantlowner shall dedicate 40 feet of right-of-way for the abutting segment of Skyline
Ranch Road.
23. The applicantlowner shall construct a southem subdivision access to the county's standards
for rural local roads. This road shall consist of a connection from the main subdivision road to:
a) Skyline Ranch Road if at the time of connection it is improved and connects to either
Shevlin Park Road or Skyliners Road; b) a dedicated and improved public street within the
Northwest Crossing development; or c) the Miller Tree Farm property to the south if this
connection is available at the time the building permit for the 26th dwelling is requested and
before the access described in (a) above can be constructed.
The appellant believes the Hearings Officer's suggested conditions of approval are inconsistent with
her findings as stated below:
The inconsistency seems to derive from the fact that the Hearings Officer concluded that a
secondary access should be provided prior to issuance of a building permit for the 2e
dwelling within the subdivision. (Hearings Officer's Decision, p. 32). This is due to a Rural
Fire Protection Standard allowing up to 25 homesites in a single access subdivision.
However, the right-of-way dedication for Skyline Ranch Road is not necessary to provide the
secondary access. Rather, as recognized by the Hearings Officer in Condition 23, the
Applicant has several options to provide secondary access, and only one of the three options
would require the dedication and construction of Skyline Ranch Road. Therefore, the
Applicant requests that the Board remove Condition 22 from the heading "PRIOR TO
ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT FOR THE TWENTY-SIXTH (26T") SUBDIVISION
DWELLING," and place it under a new heading that reads: "PRIOR TO FINAL PLAT
APPROVAL FOR PHASE 8."
III. Comments
The appellant is requesting to add a new heading and place Condition 22 under the new heading.
The timing of dedication of the 40 -feet of right-of-way for the abutting segment of Skyline Ranch
Road could be accomplished with the last phase, Phase 8 of the subdivision, or before, as stated by
the Hearings Officer on page 24 of the decision.' I believe the issues are more complex than simply
changing headings.
' Page 24 of the Hearings Officer decision states:
Accordingly, I find I cannot constitutionally require the applicant to improve the abutting
segment of Skyline Ranch Road. However, l find that if the subdivision is approved it should
be conditioned on a requirement that the applicant dedicate 40 feet of right-of-way for the
abutting segment of Skyline Ranch Road with Phase 8 of the subdivision.18
Footnote 18 of the Hearings Officer's decision on page 24 states "the applicant may elect to dedicate this right-
of-way prior to Phase 8 to facilitate the provision of a required southern access."
Page 2 of 6
Exhibit
Page _9 of
In light of the Hearings Officer decision to defer the Skyline Ranch Road right-of-way (ROW)
dedication and provide three options for secondary access, there appear to be several transportation
issues that should be addressed directly such as how orderly development (including shadow
platting) is addressed, the dedication and construction of Skyline Ranch Road and connectivity to
adjacent existing and planned developments.
From the applicant's burden of proof-
The
roof
The Applicant proposes to design the subdivision in a manner that carefully integrates
development into existing landscape. The Applicant's plan will preserve rock outcroppings,
ravines, meadows and forested areas as part of the overall scheme to maintain significant open
space, as required by the lot size standards for the UAR 10 zone. Consistent with the purpose of
the UAR-10 zone, the Applicant has also produced several alternative "shadow plats" to
demonstrate how portions of the site could be developed at a higher density if the property is
included in the Bend Urban Growth Boundary at a future date (Exhibit 5).
The proposed subdivision is designed to achieve orderly growth by developing desirable low
density residential options while creating an appropriate transition area from higher density
development within the Bend UGB to the less developed open space, forest, and rural residential
lands to the west. To implement the purpose of the UAR-10 zone, the low-density subdivision
will meet the ten -acre minimum lot size, and the majority of each lot will remain in open space.
As depicted on the draft "shadow plats," depending upon the timing of sale and construction of
lots within the subdivision, there are a variety of options for future redevelopment of the property
to accommodate "orderly growth" in the future if the site is ultimately selected for inclusion in
the Urban Growth Boundary, as contemplated by the UAR-10 purpose statement. (Exhibit 5).
The Applicant has designed the southeastern corner of the subdivision to accommodate a portion
of the right-of-way for the extension of Skyline Ranch Road, the future collector proposed on the
Bend Urban Area Transportation Plan. Although this north -south connector is not necessary to
accommodate the proposed subdivision, the subdivision has been designed to connect to the road
when it is constructed to support additional development on the west side of Bend. This sequence
of development contributes to the orderly pattern of growth in the Urban Area Reserve west of
Bend.
A. The subdivision contributes to orderly development and
land use patterns in the area, and provides for the preservation of
natural features and resources such as streams, lakes, natural
vegetation, special terrain features, agricultural and forest lands
and other natural resources.
The proposed subdivision is designed to facilitate orderly growth and development by creating a
transition area between the existing dense residential areas within the Bend UGB and the rural
residential, open space and the forest lands to the west. Given the denser residential
development to the east, the proposed low-density development will provide an appropriate
transition into the undeveloped OS&C and F-1 lands to the west because approximately 76
percent of the project will be left as open space and appropriately vegetated to blend with and
complement the surrounding areas. The proposal also contributes to the urban goals of
accommodating future higher density residential development by accommodating future urban
densities when appropriate, as depicted on the Shadow Plats. (Exhibit 5).
Page 3 of 6
Exhibit
Page J-�> of _
Local Street Connectivity
The applicant correctly states that the nature of the UAR-10 Zone is as a holding zone until urban
level development is appropriate. The applicant also acknowledges that the proposal addresses the
urban goals of the City of Bend via shadow platting, which is why the applicant had submitted seven
(7) different shadow plats. However, the local street patterns shown in the various shadow plats do
not align with the proposed private local roads shown within the submitted tentative plan, and do not
connect with exiting platted or constructed local roads adjacent to the property. Specifically, this
application (and the shadow plats as well) does not identify street connections:
• south to the Miller UAR-10 property
• north to a stubbed street ROW at the Three Pines subdivision
• east to a platted right of way adjacent to Phase 4, or
• east to an approved local street for the Northwest Crossing development
To comply with orderly development and adjacent land use patterns, rather than having a single local
road connection be one of three options as conditioned by the Hearings Officer, the applicant should
be conditioned to construct local streets to connect to the planned and platted local street network to
the north, south and east. Local street connections should be dedicated and constructed to assure
connectivity to meet Bend Urban maximum block length standards (600 feet in residential
subdivisions according to Bend Land Division Code Section 6.030).
Transportation System Plan Collector Street (Skyline Ranch Road)
Both City and County Transportation System Plans (TSP) identify the same generalized alignment
for a future extension of Skyline Ranch Road as a future north -south collector road linking Shevlin
Park Road and Skyliner Road. The City TSP specifically states that:
"The circulation plan designates a system of major streets that are necessary to move people and
goods safely and conveniently within the urban area. The system is depicted on the Roadway System
Plan Map as expressways, principal arterials, major and minor arterials, and major collector streets.
In many instances, the alignments depict a -generalized corridor, and precise alignments of future
streets will be determined after further study and engineering analysis, or during the development of
vacant properties.
The road system is based generally on a spacing of one mile for arterials and one-half mile for
collectors. The precise alignment for new streets must be defined as development occurs. In some
areas, additional collector or arterial streets beyond those shown on the plan map may need to be
established as the community grows. The City would establish the location of additional streets as
part of the land development process and Street System Plan amendments made as necessary. It is
extremely important that adequate rights-of-way are secured as development or redevelopment
occurs along these designated corridors to protect these future roadways."
What this points out is that typically, some alignments on the TSP will be generalized to show
regional connectivity and be subject to engineering evaluation when developments are proposed that
impact or require access to such future roads. An example is the southern extension of Skyline
Ranch Road from Skyliner Road to Century Drive which has been partially completed, and will be
completely built as a result of already approved County land use permits. This portion of Skyline
Ranch Road was also a generalized alignment on both TSPs, then as development was proposed,
the applicant's engineers worked with topography to route the new road through their development to
its ultimate connection with Century Drive.
Page 4 of 6
Exhibit 7)
Page _L-�_ of �—
Based on the County Road Department's evaluation (memo attached) of the proposed alignment, the
burden of proof does not provide findings to demonstrate that the proposed Skyline Ranch Road is
located in such a way that it can actually be built and logically connect to the north and south of this
property, and contribute to the required orderly development.
Using the tentative plan map submitted with the application, I found that the local road connection
includes grades ranging from 18 to 36 percent just before it connects with the proposed Skyline
Ranch collector. The section of Skyline Ranch Road shown includes grades ranging from 13 to 24
percent. Both of these proposed roads exceed the acceptable level of allowed slope (not to mention
sight distance requirements), with no mitigation in terms of fill and removal or slope easements
identified. The applicant has not located the future collector ROW, or the private road connection to
it, in an area that meets grade requirements identified in Table A of DCC Title 17. Those maximum
grade requirements are 12 percent (12%) for private roads and eight percent (8%) for collectors.
Because TSPs are part of adopted Comprehensive Plans, the application would not meet the intent
of DCC 17.16.100:
17.16.100. Required findings for approval.
A tentative plan for a proposed subdivision shall not be approved unless the Planning Director or
Hearings Body finds that the subdivision as proposed or modified will meet the requirements of DCC
Title 17 and DCC Title 18 through 21, and is in compliance with the comprehensive plan. Such findings
shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
A. The subdivision contributes to orderly development and land use pa ems in the area, and provides
for the preservation of natural features and resources such as streams, lakes, natural vegetation,
special terrain features, agricultural and for lands and other natural resources.
B. The subdivision will not create excessive demand on public facilities and services, and utilities
required to serve the development.
The Hearings Officer's Condition #22 does not assure that any ROW for Skyline Ranch Road will be
dedicated (for instance if the applicant chooses to only plat 25 lots), let alone be built. If in fact this
property is brought into the Bend UGB and urbanized as suggested in the City Comprehensive Plan,
there are no assurances that the City's grid street policy will be followed as well. Additionally, the 40 -
foot ROW dedication shown on the plat does not completely line up with the previous dedication to
the north, thus putting the burden for completing the needed ROW dedication, and presumably
construction as well, on the West Bend Properties, Ltd. Development to the east (Northwest
Crossing). The application relies on dedication of ROW along what was clearly a generalized
alignment in the TSP. If the proposed 40 -foot ROW dedication as shown is not practible due to cost
and topography, it may be necessary to request that the applicant dedicate the full 80 -feet of ROW
on their property.
The County clearly needs to see how the entire length of Skyline Ranch Road from Shevlin Park
Road to Skyliners Road can be properly aligned with respect to topography and existing and future
developments, including all local road connections to it in the proposed tentative plan. If road ROW
is to be dedicated as a condition of approval (per the Hearings Officer Decision), the County has a
responsibility to have reasonable assurances that the future collector road is constructible.
As shown on the tentative plat, the alignment of Skyline Ranch Road (straight along the section line)
could be physically built, but at greater cost than other nearby alignment choices, and it would require
slope easements from adjacent private lots. No slope easements are identified in this application. In
addition, the County does not have transportation System Development Charges to help offset the
construction of this road, and if given the choice, the City and County would both choose to relocate
the ROW from that shown on the plat if we had to build it. At a minimum, the applicant should be
Page 5 of 6
Exhibit
Page f�'_ of L4
conditioned to dedicate the necessary ROW (in a proper location) and bond for their portion of the
construction of Skyline Ranch Road.
If the BOCC accepts the appeal and approves the tentative plan as submitted, the possibility exists
that lots will be platted that effectively preclude a realistic future alignment of a collector roadway
shown on the County and City TSPs. Once the proposed lots in Phases 1 through 8 are platted, the
opportunities for proper collector and local ROW dedication may be lost. A likely recourse could be
for the City and County TSPs to be amended to move the proposed Skyline Ranch Road west
beyond the Urban Area Reserve lands or delete it altogether.
IV. Summary
Based on the foregoing, we believe the BOCC has three courses of action regarding the appeal
relative to local street connectivity and Skyline Ranch Road based on the criteria in DCC 17.16.100,
"contributing to orderly development and land use patterns in the area" and in DCC 17.36.020
Design Standards for Streets:
1. Uphold the appeal, but delete conditions 22 and 23 and replace them with the following
conditions:
• Dedicate right of way and construct a local road meeting county standards to be stubbed out
at the southern edge of the property in Phase 7.
• Construct the local road to the east edge of Phase 8 so that it connects to the local street
shown on the Northwest Crossing Street Type Plan adopted by City of Bend Ordinance
NS1968.
• Dedicate right of way and construct a local road meeting county standards between lots 32
and 33 to connect to the stubbed out right of way in the Three Pines subdivision to the north
• Dedicate 80 feet of right of way for Skyline Ranch Road in Phase 8 in a location that can
reasonably be constructed considering topography and connection to properties to the north
and south, or demonstrate prior to final plat approval for Phase 8 that Skyline Ranch Road
can reasonably be constructed at the eastern edge of the property as identified on the
tentative plat.
2. Uphold the appeal and accept the recommended amendments to language suggested by the
applicant to Hearings Officer Condition #22. With this option, there is no guarantee that the
Skyline Ranch Road collector will be built or relocated to a more appropriate location, future
urban densities will be accommodated, or local road connectivity will be achieved to the north,
east or the south to assure orderly development and future land use patterns in the area.
3. Deny the appeal based on non-compliance with DCC 17.16.100 and DCC 17.36.020.
Attachments:
1) City of Bend Memo from Robin Lewis
2) County Road Dept. Memo from George Kolb
3) Northwest Crossing Approved Street Type Plan Map
4) Location Map with TSP Road Classifications
Page 6 of 6
Exhibit
Page—vl�
Memorandum
To:
Steve Jorgensen
From:
Robin Lewis
Subject:
CU -05-07, TP -05-598
Date:
October 28, 2005
cc:
file
Thank you for the opportunity to have the City provide further input
on this land use proposal.
The City really is concerned about two items - grid/connectivity, and
Skyline Ranch Road.
With regards to grid/ connectivity, the City of Bend, in accordance to
Bend Code 10-13.6, Section 6.020, Streets, Sidewalks and Bikeways
and 6.030, Blocks, would like to permit satisfactory future division of
adjoining land. There are two issues with grid and connectivity
pertaining to the Day land use. First, there are adjoining properties
that have already developed within the City that were required to
provide the Day property with stub streets. The applicant is not
showing connections to these already stubbed rights of way, and
should be required to do so. Second, the Day application is not
proposing to continue the grid/ connectivity pattern of development
onto undeveloped adjoining properties. Block lengths within the City
of Bend is 600 feet for residential properties. Stubbed streets should
be provided to all redevelopable properties adjoining the Day property.
This would include Northwest Crossing to the east and the parcels to
the west and to the south.
With regards to Skyline Ranch Road: On May 23, 2005, City provided
the following comments regarding Skyline Ranch Road;
The applicant has proposed a dedication of 80 feet (should read
40') along the property's eastern boundary for the future alignment
of Skyline Ranch Road. This road is designated as an urban
collector road on the Bend Urban Area Roadway System Plan. The
plan map shows a straight north -south alignment of this road that
would cross the eastern boundary of proposed Lots 20 and 21. We
S:\CDD\planning\Long Range\Land Use Comments\Skyline Ranch Road City Comments.doc
Exhibit n
Page ---I of �`�
believe that the topography in this area may require a meandering
alignment similar to that of Mt. Washington Drive. We also believe
that the applicant's engineer may have completed some
preliminary work on this meandering alignment for Northwest
Crossing."
The roadway in question, Skyline Ranch Road, is shown on the City's
TSP map as a secondary ring road extending over 5 miles in a general
north -south alignment, roughly parallel to Mt. Washington Drive.
Skyline Ranch Road has been planned to create a strong grid system
tying important east -west roadways on the west side of Bend,
including Century Drive, Skyliner Road, and Shevlin Park Road.
The roadway alignment contained within this land use action TP -05-
598 is critical as it could potentially create a barrier in roughly the
middle of the Skyline Ranch ring road. If the location of the right-of-
way dedication, as proposed by the applicant, is accepted, there is a
strong possibility that the City would not be able to overcome the
topographic and slope easement constraints presented by this
alignment, effectively forever creating a disconnect in the ring road.
Furthermore, the land in question is located in Urban Area Reserve,
which when developed to RS densities will create thousands of new
homes. The applicant's impact alone, even when developed as 10 acre
lots, is projected to add over 300 new vehicle trips to the
transportation system. These homes, being far from the urban core,
will not have much opportunity for walking and biking trip reduction.
Reliance on the automobile necessitates the ring road.
The City in their earlier comments pointed out the necessity to
meander the road. The need for the meandering was not, however,
considered by the Hearings Officer. Furthermore, it is not clear in the
Decision whether the right-of-way is even required at all. It appears
that if the applicant applies for a building permit on a 26th lot, then
the 40' right-of-way, located along the eastern property line, would be
required. The applicant may never apply for a building permit on the
26th lot. The 26th lot does not correspond to Lot 20 or Lot 21 of the
applicant's tentative site plan. These lots may be owned privately at
the time of the building permit request for a 26th lot. This is an
extremely tenuous requirement for such an important ring road to the
future transportation system.
The Bend Urban Area Roadway System Plan map includes the
following comment regarding proposed roadway alignments: "The
proposed roadway alignments shown on this map are general in
nature. Precise roadway alignments will need to comply with city of
Bend street standards, and other engineering and design work that
will be conducted as part of the land development process."
S:\CDD\planning\Long Range\Land Use Comments\Skyline Ranch Road City Comments.doc
Exhibit
Page �_ of _L4_
Furthermore, the City's Transportation System Plan document,
Section 6.5 states, "The precise alignment for new streets must be
defined as development occurs...It is extremely important that
adequate rights-of-way are secured as development or redevelopment
occurs along these designated corridors to protect these future
roadways."
We believe the time for this engineering and design work is now - in
conjunction with this land development process. The applicant has
shown that a roadway along their proposed alignment cannot be
constructed to proper engineering standards within the 80 foot right
of way due to the topographic constraints.
After having an opportunity to review with the County Engineer the
potential vertical curvature, and the required cut and fill necessary to
construct Skyline Ranch Road in a straight north -south alignment,
the City is convinced that the roadway cannot be constructed in an
80' right-of-way due in this direct north -south alignment due to the
extensive cuts and fills and their requisite slope easements.
The cuts and fills would be on the order of 25' to 30' high/deep in
order to achieve a safe roadway design (adequate sight distance along
the roadway as well as for cross -streets). Safe roadway design
parameters are provided in the AASHTO Greenbook (a.k.a. American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Policy on
Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, 2004 Edition). In order
to have recoverable side slopes, the roadway should have a 3:1 to 4:1
side slope which leads to extremely wide slope easements (75' to 120')
on private property. Attached is a conceptual plan and profile of the
roadway if placed in the proposed straight alignment. This
preliminary alignment shows the magnitude and extent of potential
impact associated with a straight road at the property line. This
shows a 100' slope easement to either side of the right of way line that
would be necessary to lay back the cuts and fills so that sight lines as
well as roadside safety are achieved.
A far safer and less expensive design (nominal cuts and fills), that
achieves AASHTO standards, requires that the ROW for Skyline
Ranch Road be meandered as the City suggested in our May 23, 2005
comments. Therefore, it is the City's request that an 80' right-of-wau
be dedicated bu the applicant along the top of the ridge (between the
3,790' contours). This requires that the entire 80' right of wau be
dedicated by this applicant from their northern propertu line to their
southern provertu line in a meandering fashion trending northeast to
southwest varallel to the ridge line somewhere on Lots 20 and 21.
The City of Bend feels that this is in compliance with the City's
Transportation System Plan and is in the best interest of the citizens
of Bend.
S:\CDD\planning\Long Range\Land Use Comments\Skyline Ranch Road City Comments.doc
Exhibit Z)
Page Q of _\LY—
The City would also request that the applicant be made responsible
for designing and constructing Skyline Ranch Road to County and
AASHTO standards as it would be a connecting road within their
subdivision, providing access to Lots 20 and 21.
In the event the City's request cannot be accommodated, we request
that the applicant dedicate 40' along their eastern property boundary,
Plus 100' of slope easement (or as necessary for an approved design),
plus design of the roadway to meet County and AASHTO standards.
Consideration should also be given to requiring the applicant to pay a
proportionate share of the cost of this roadway given that a roadway
in this location will have increased costs due to the cut and fill
needed.
S:\CDD\planning\Long Range\Land Use Comments\Skyline Ranch Road City Comments.doc
Exhibit
Page \ C, -L of _L�
I
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UN,
MEMORANDUM
TO: STEVE JORGENSEN, SENIOR PLANNER
FROM: GEORGE, KOL,B, COUNTY ENGINEER
SUBJECT: T'UMALO CREEK DEVELOPMENT
DATE: 10/31/2005
CC: FILE
Steve;
This memo concerns the location of the proposed 80 foot right-of-way for the future collector, Skyline
Ranch Road, which the Road Department addressed in the comments dated May 26, 2005. The initial
comments stated that Skyline Ranch Road right-of-way would be dedicated on the eastern boundary of
the property and that the road would be constructed by the applicant. After further review of the right-of-
way location with yourself and the City of Bend on Wednesday, October 26`h, It appears that the hearings
officer decision indicates that the applicant will only be responsible for dedication of the right-of-way but
not the construction of the road itself. What this means is that eventually either Deschutes County or the
City of Bend will be responsible for the construction of this road. After review of the topographic
contours and also the plan/profile sheets provided by the applicant's engineers, I feel the location shown
on the tentative plat is not a good location as far as constructability and the right-of-way should be
realigned to take advantage of the flat area between the two draws. The original alignment, going north -
south along the east boundary would be an expensive road to build based on the following:
♦ There is a fill of over 20 feet in depth at station 37+18.42. This fill would necessitate slope
easements on the adjoining properties to allow construction of the fill slopes. Guardrail would also
have to be installed along the higher portions of the fill per AASHTO standards.
♦ The vertical curve at station 43+93.47 has cuts of up to 15 feet so there my have to be slope
easements here also from adjoining property owners.
♦ Sight distance to access onto this road will be limited by the cuts.
An alignment that utilizes the flat area between the two draws would be a much less expensive road to
build based on less earthwork and easier constructability. It would also have better access for side roads
from adjacent subdivisions. It appears the road could be built within the 80 foot right-of-way without the
need for slope easements.
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Be MEMORANDUM
Bend,,Oregongon 9 97702
TO: Deschutes County Commission /
FROM: Thomas A. Walker, P.E. G'G�
DATE: ll/l/2005
CC:
FILE #: 30655.1000
RE: Tumalo Creek Development, LLC
Deschutes County File TP -05-958
Appeal of Hearings Officer's Decision
Skyline Ranch Road
On August 29, 2005, the Deschutes County Hearings Officer denied the application by Tumalo Creek
Development, LLC (Applicant) for a tentative plan for a 34 lot subdivision immediately west of the City
of Bend. The Applicant's appeal will be heard today by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners.
The City of Bend and Deschutes County staff have raised a number of questions and provided
recommendations on the future Skyline Ranch Road, generally located on the easterly boundary of the
subject property. The future Skyline Ranch Road collector street deserves your careful assessment.
HISTORY:
Skyline Ranch Road is a designated collector street on the City of Bend Transportation System Plan.
Between Shevlin Park Road and Skyliners Road, the collector street is typically shown in a tangent
alignment on the section line, at the City's Urban Growth Boundary. The City's Transportation System
Plan does provide flexibility to refine the alignment during final design.
The Hearings Officer in her review of the Tumalo Creek Development, LLC proposal addressed the
collector street issue with the following findings:
"the Hearings Officer finds imposition of a condition of approval requiring the
applicant to improve the abutting section of Skyline Ranch Road would not
have a nexus with, or be roughly proportional to, the anticipated traffic
impacts from the subdivision, as required"
"the staff report notes that portions of the main subdivision road may be
difficult to create near the southeast corner of the property due to the steep
topography associated with the ASI. The applicant responds that prior to
submitting the final plat for phases 7 and 8 of the subdivision, the applicant's
engineers will determined the most feasible alignment for this segment of the
subdivision road that will allow it to be constructed to meet the County's road
CADocuments and Settings\Smith.0\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3\I 10105 TAW Memo to Deschutes County Commissioners (2).doc
Exhibit
Page -- �— of _�—
• Memorandum - continued
• Page 2
standards, and therefore its exact alignment is not critical at the point of
tentative plan approval"
"I concur with the applicant that it is not unusual for street alignments to be
revised once ground work has commenced and actual conditions can be
determined. Therefore, I find the proposed subdivision satisfies this approval
criteria to the extent it is required to do so for tentative subdivision plan
approval"
Generally, the Hearings Officer concluded that roadways in the southeast corner of the property,
including Skyline Ranch Road, should be designed in cooperation with the City or County Engineering
Departments, based upon the best information available at the time of final design, when detailed
topography is available and the plans for adjacent development are better known. The Applicant concurs
with the Hearings Officer.
TOPOGRAPHY:
Natural topography along the west boundary of the City's Urban Growth Boundary is shown on the
tentative plan (Exhibit 1 to the original application) and on a vicinity map (original Exhibit 6). Natural
topography includes a series of steep canyons and ridges in the southeast corner of the Applicant's
property. The natural topography is further complicated by an Area of Special Interest (ASI) designation
by Deschutes County. The natural topography complicates new road design and construction, connection
of roadways from adjacent developments, and complicates access and development options within the
Applicant's subdivision. Again, the final alignment for subdivision streets, including the Skyline Ranch
right-of-way, are best accommodated with Phase 8 development with final design, in cooperation with
Deschutes County or the City of Bend Engineering Department.
GRID CONNECTIONS:
As noted, natural topography limits the feasibility of connecting all roadways on adjacent properties.
Grid connections are also prohibited by private streets on adjacent developments.
In Mr. Jorgensen's memorandum to the Board of County Commissioners on 11/1/05, a number of local
street connections were discussed. For example, a stubbed street right-of-way at the Three Pine
subdivision was noted at the north boundary of the proposed subdivision. The Three Pines roadway
however is private and is not compatible with the public roadways proposed in the Applicant's
subdivision. Regardless, the Applicant will provide an emergency only access between lots 32 and 33 to
provide connectivity to Three Pines, without violating the private/public roadway rights of the two
neighborhoods. The emergency access is shown on the original tentative plan and the situation is
addressed in the Hearings Officer's proposed Condition of Approval #13.
Similarly, Mr. Jorgensen identifies Anderson Ranch Road as a possible point of connection. Again,
Anderson Ranch Road is a private roadway and is not compatible with the proposed public roadways in
the Applicant's subdivision. Further, the severe topography at the eastern edge of lot 27 prohibits a
reasonable street connection. This situation was addressed at length in the Applicant's original
application.
The street connection easterly to Northwest Crossing was also identified. The Northwest Crossing plan
however is conceptual and subject to change with final land use and design. Further complications are
imposed by natural topography. The Hearings Officer concluded in the Applicant's decision that
C: Documents and Settings\Smith.(" Local Settings, temporary tntennet 1'il s`.OLKV 110105 TAW Memo to Deschutes County Commissioners (Z).doc
Exhibit C
Page Q— of H
• Memorandum -continued
• Page 3
connections to Northwest Crossing will ultimately be provided. For example, a street connection to
Northwest Celilo Lane, in the northwest corner of Northwest Crossing would occur on the ridge top,
providing the grid connection between public streets on compatible terrain. Again, the Hearings Officer
anticipated the connection in her decision.
Further, the Applicant has reached an agreement with Miller Tree Farm, LLC, the property owner to the
south, for a mutually beneficial access between the properties.
ROADWAY STANDARDS:
The Skyline Ranch collector street is complicated and potentially jeopardized by conflicts and standards
between the City of Bend and Deschutes County. The collector street designation is intended by the City
of Bend to serve urban area development. Under City jurisdiction, the collector street can serve abutting
lots directly. A collector street under County jurisdiction would not serve lots directly. Without direct lot
access, the collector street will parallel a local street, consuming right-of-way, impacting lots, and
creating a wasteful redundancy of infrastructure. Design speeds and other criteria are similarly
conflicting.
The Applicant is caught between conflicting standards. Currently, the Applicant's property is under
Deschutes County jurisdiction and a local County roadway standard is applicable. The Applicant's urban
area reserve property may be annexed into the City and it would then be subject to City collector
standards, including a wider right-of-way.
To resolve these potential conflicting standards, the Applicant has proposed a condition of approval that
provides an 80 foot right-of-way, an alignment that follows appropriate terrain, a roadway standard that
allows direct driveway access, and generally a plan that accommodates both short term and long term
needs of the community.
Further, the City of Bend imposes System Development Charges (SDCs) to pay for collector streets.
Deschutes County has no applicable street SDC program. Urban development of the Applicant's UAR
lands will provide the SDC payments to fund future collector street upgrades as needed.
ALIGNMENT:
As noted, natural topography imposes restrictions on a reasonable alignment for Skyline Ranch Road.
The Applicant agrees with Mr. George Kolb, P.E., of the Deschutes County Road Department. Skyline
Ranch Road should follow the flatter ridge area across lots 20 and 21 in the southeast corner of the
subject property. The alignment should be fixed in final design when that phase of development occurs,
so that the best available design information is utilized and both the short term and long term needs of the
community are addressed.
PROPOSED APPROVAL CONDITION:
The Applicant proposes the following approval condition to address Skyline Ranch Road. The intent of
the following approval condition is to establish the best alignment during final design when detailed
design information is available, address the short term needs of a Deschutes County 10 acre subdivision,
address the longer term needs of the City of Bend for a collector street in an urban development, and
provide a practical resolution of conflicting City and County standards for the roadway.
Qt Documents and Settings`Smith.Cd ocal SetdngseTemporary Internet Files\OLKII 110105 TAW Memo to Deschutes County ('ownmissioners
Exhibit C.
Page _-,� of _4
• Memorandum -continued
• Page 4
The following condition is considered to be in agreement with the recommendations of Mr. George Kolb,
P.E., Ms. Robin Lewis, and Mr. Steve Jorgensen.
Your review and consideration of the following proposed approval condition is respectfully requested.
Within 60 days of the date this decision becomes final, the Applicant shall
submit a revised tentative plan. A revised Skyline Ranch Road alignment
shall be prepared and submitted to the Deschutes County Road Department
for review and approval with the tentative plan, together with anticipated
local street connections in the vicinity. The revised alignment should be more
compatible with existing terrain, and to the extent possible, shall avoid the
steep canyon at the southeast corner of the subject property. Skyline Ranch
Road may be incorporated into the subdivision to provide direct lot access
and shall conform to Deschutes County local road standards, except that the
right-of-way shall be 80 feet wide to accommodate a future City of Bend
collector street.
CnDocuments and Settings%Smith.0\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files`OLK3•, 110105 TAW Memo to Deschutes County Commissioners (2).doc
Exhibit
Page — LA-_ of ► _
Appellant/
Property Owner:
Appellant's
Representative:
Appellant's
Engineer:
Property:
Request:
L INTRODUCTION
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF APPEAL OF
HEARINGS OFFICER'S DECISION
Tumalo Creek Development, LLC
63101 Nels Anderson Road
Bend, OR 97701
541-389-0981
Nancy Craven
Kristin Udvari
Ball Janik LLP
101 SW Main Street, Suite 1100
Portland, OR 97204
503-228-2525
W&H Pacific
Thomas A. Walker, P.E.
920 SW Emkay Drive, Suite C-100
Bend, OR 97702
Tax Lots 17-11-00-6000 and 17-1 1-26-101 & 400
Appeal of Hearings Officer's Decision to Deny Tentative
Subdivision Plan for 34 single-family residences.
On August 29, 2005, the Deschutes County Hearings Officer denied the application by Tumalo
Creek Development, LLC (the "Applicant" or "Appellant") for a tentative plan for a 34 -lot
subdivision immediately west of the City of Bend. The property is within the Bend Urban
Reserve Area and is located south of Shevlin Park Road, east of Tumalo Creek, north of
Skyliners Road, and west of the proposed Skyline Ranch Road. As the applicant in the subject
case, Tumalo Creek Development, LLC is entitled to appeal the Hearings Officer's decision
pursuant to DCC 22.32.010(A)(1).
The Hearings Officer denied the application based upon one issue: the Hearings Officer found
that a small portion of the site is located within the City limits and therefore she concluded that
she did not have jurisdiction to approve a subdivision affecting land within the City of Bend.
The Hearings Officer rejected the Applicant's proposal to impose a condition of approval
requiring the Applicant to obtain a lot line adjustment to add any land within City limits to the
adjacent park land owned by Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District ("BMPRD"). The
Hearings Officer stated that she could not approve the tentative plan based upon a condition
mandating the lot line adjustment because she found no evidence that the adjoining property
owner, the Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District ("BMPRD"), would support the lot line
adjustment application. However, the Hearings Officer acknowledged that the Applicant would
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likely appeal the decision and therefore she included the following draft condition (along with a
full set of conditions and findings addressing the remainder of the application):
"PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THE FIRST FINAL PLAT FOR
APPROVAL:
3. If the Board of County Commissioners finds from the
evidence in the record on appeal that the Bend Metro Park and
Recreation District is willing to join the applicant in a request for a
lot line adjustment for Tax Lot 101, the applicant/owner shall
submit to the Deschutes County Planning Division written
documentation that Tax Lot 101 and the portion of Tax Lot 6000
within the Bend city limits according to the Bend Area Zoning
Ordinance Map are either located outside the city limits, or have
been added to adjacent lots located within the city limits through
lot line adjustment approved by the county and/or city."
The Appellant requests that the Board overturn the Hearings Officer's denial and adopt a
condition of approval to govern the lot line adjustment issue, as discussed in more detail below.
In addition, the Appellant concurs with all of the other suggested conditions of approval, with the
exception of the building envelope conditions (Conditions 10 and 19-21), which are
contradictory and should be revised for consistency, as discussed below. The Appellant also
requests a minor change to the heading governing the timing of the right-of-way dedication
required by Condition 22 to render the condition consistent with the findings and evidence in the
record, and a revision to Condition 10(c) to address the options available to comply with fire
protection standards.
It. ADDITIONAL ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
A. First Assignment of Error: The Hearings Officer Erred in Concludinp, that a
Condition Requiring a Lot Line Adjustment for Tax Lot 101 Was Not
Feasible.
The two legal lots subject to this application are comprised of three tax lots: Tax Lot 101, 17-11-
26, and Tax Lot 6000, 17-11-00, are one legal lot, and Tax Lot 400, 17-11-26, is the second legal
lot. As detailed in the Notice of Appeal, Planning Staff questioned whether Tax Lot 101
(approximately 0.27 acres), and a portion of Tax Lot 6000 were inside the City limits and
therefore outside of the County's land use jurisdiction. In response, the Applicant proposed a
condition of approval to ensure that the issue was resolved prior to final plat approval, thereby
ensuring that the County would not be in the position of recording a final plat that included land
within the city limits. Specifically, the proposed condition required the Applicant to either
demonstrate that the tax lots were outside of the city limits, or process a lot line adjustment prior
to final plat approval to remove any land in the city limits from the legal lot subject to the
proposed subdivision. The Applicant volunteered to donate the adjusted acreage of Tax Lot 101
to BMPRD. Thus, the condition mandated that the land be added to the adjacent lot owned by
BMPRD and donated to BMPRD for park land. -
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However, the Hearings Officer found that she did not have the authority to impose a condition
requiring the lot line adjustment because she concluded that there was no evidence showing that
BMPRD would cooperate in the lot line adjustment. As part of this de novo appeal, the
Appellant submitted evidence of a lot line adjustment application signed by BMPRD and
submitted to the City. The Staff Report finds that the signed application "demonstrates the Park
Districts' commitment to join the proposed lot line adjustment." (Staff Report, p. 3). However,
the Staff Report expresses concern regarding the Appellant's proposed Condition No. 3, which
reads:
"3. Prior to final plat approval for Phase I, the applicant/owner
shall demonstrate that Tax Lot 101 and all of Tax Lot 6000 are
outside of the Bend city limits. If any portion of the subject lots is
within the city limits, the Applicant shall gain approval for a lot
line adjustment to ensure that the property subject to the final
subdivision plat is entirely outside of the city limits. The acreage
outside of the city limits shall be donated to the adjacent property
owner, Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District."
In response to the proposed condition, the Staff Report questions whether the Board has the
authority to require the Appellant to donate the referenced acreage to BMPRD and suggests that
the Board consult with legal counsel on this issue. For the following reasons, the donation issue
is immaterial should not stop the Board from approving the application and adopting the revised
condition.
First, the Board is authorized to reference the donation in the condition because the property
owner volunteered the donation and proposed the condition of approval. Thus. because it is a
voluntary donation and not an exaction, the Board would not run afoul of a constitutional takings
analysis. Second, the Appellant placed the referenced text in the condition simply to reflect the
Appellant's intentions. However, regardless of whether the Board places the donation language
in the condition or not, the Appellant will donate the 0.27 acres to BMPRD following the
adjustment. The key issue in this case is not whether or how the land is donated. Rather, the key
issue is simply that the tentative plan decision contain a condition requiring any land within the
city limits to be removed from the legal lot subject to the subdivision application prior to final
plat approval. The lot line adjustment accomplishes this. Thus, if the Board remains
uncomfortable with the Appellant's language regarding the voluntary donation to BMPRD, the
Board can remove it from the condition.
B. Second Assignment of Error: The Building Envelope Conditions Proposed
by the Hearings Officer are Contradictory and Inconsistent with the
Findings.
As noted in the Staff Report, the Hearings Officer anticipated this appeal and proposed
conditions of approval in the event that the Board chose to approval the Application. If the
Board chooses to approve this application, the Applicant requests that the Board revise the
conditions proposed by the Hearings Officer regarding building envelopes.
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The Applicant showed potential building envelopes on the proposed plat. However, the
envelopes were shown for purposes of illustration only (building envelopes cannot be recorded
on a final plat), and, with the exception of the envelopes on Lots 2 through 6, the envelopes are
not necessary to meet any of the approval criteria. Lots 2 through 6 abut Shevlin Park and the
Applicant worked diligently with BMPRD to craft envelope locations and proposed conditions to
minimize impacts on the park. The conditions agreed upon by BMPRD were submitted to the
Hearings Officer with the Applicant's June 24 submittal. The proposed conditions read, in
relevant part:
"1 I. With the exception of Lots 2 through 6, any development
restrictions on the individual lots within the subdivision shall be
tied to the UAR zoning and shall not preclude future division or
development in the event the UAR zoning is changed to a higher
density zoning designation. To minimize impacts on Shevlin Park,
Lots 2 through 6 shall not be further subdivided. Copies of the
CC&R's or other development restrictions shall be submitted to
County Legal Counsel to verify consistency with this condition
prior to final plat approval.
12. Building envelopes shall be established for Lots 2 through
6 to prohibit future partitioning or subdividing of Lots 2 through 6,
and to minimize views of any proposed structures from within
Shevlin Park, as shown on the Tentative Plat. No development of
any kind shall occur outside of the building envelopes, and only
one single-family dwelling, plus accessory structures, may be
constructed within each building envelope.
a. The building envelopes shall conform to the following rear yard
scaled setbacks:
Lot Rim Setback Property Line Setback
115' 200'
3 120'
260'
4 120'
270'
5 130'
280'
6 70' (NW Corner)
320'
b. The building envelopes shall be mandated through the project
CC&Rs. The CC&Rs shall require the consent of the Bend Metro
Parks and Recreation District prior to any modification of the
building envelopes for Lots 2 through 6, and prior to any
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modification of Conditions I I and 12 of this Decision. Copies of
the CC&R's or other development restrictions shal l be submitted
to County Legal Counsel to verify consistency with this condition
prior to final plat approval."
The Hearings Officer did not suggest these conditions in her decision. Rather, the Hearings
Officer suggested a different set of conditions that are internally contradictory and inconsistent
with the findings in the Decision. (See Hearings Officer's Decision, pp. 38-39, Conditions 10,
19, 20, and 21).
First, the Hearings Officer's conditions require the establishment of'building envelopes on all lot
within the subdivision, not just Lots 2 through 6. On page 17 of the Hearings Officer's Decision,
the Hearings Officer discusses the "Area of Special Interest" ("ASI") that runs through the
subject property per Chapter 2 of the Bend Area General Plan. It appears that the ASI includes
the steep rocky canyon in the southeasterly corner of the subject property. The Hearings Officer
concluded that the approval criterion in DCC 17.16.100(A) requiring the "preservation of natural
features and resources" requires the Applicant to "retain the visual character and quality" of the
AS[, but does not prohibit development within the ASI. The Hearings Officer then concluded
that the Applicant could retain the visual character and quality of the area by establishing
building envelopes for "the affected lots." On the previous page, the Hearings Officer notes that
although it is difficult to determine the exact ASI boundaries from the County maps, the affected
lots appear to be Lots 19 and 22.
However. the Hearings Officer concludes her findings on the ASI issue by stating that the
Applicant shall establish building envelopes on "all lots," not just Lots 19 and 22, and her
conditions do the same. (Decision, pp. 17, 38-39). The Hearings Officer provides no justification
for imposing building envelopes on any lots other than those within the ASI area (Lots 19 and
22) and those adjacent to Shevlin Park (Lots 2 through 6).
In the Staff Report to the Board, Staff suggests that the Hearings Officer imposed the building
envelope condition because "without the building envelopes, the appellant has not met their
burden to ensure the proposed subdivision will serve as a holding category consistent with the
purposes of the UAR-10 zone and contribute to the orderly development and land use patterns in
the area." (Staff Report, p. 5). However, these are Staff s words, not the Hearings Officer's. To
support her conclusion, Staff references pages 10 and 14 of the Decision and includes a quote
from page 14. However, neither referenced pages nor the quote include any language stating that
the building envelopes are necessary to maintain compliance with the UAR-10 zone. The quote
reads:
"The Hearings Officer concurs with the applicant that developing
the subject property to the maximum residential density allowed in
the UAR-10 Zone will create a transition area between the existing
urban -density residential subdivisions located in the Bend city
limits east and south of the subject property, and Shevlin Park and
forest -zoned property to the west. The applicant's burden of proof
notes the proposed subdivision plat shows approximately 76
percent of subdivision land will `be.left as open space.' And as
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discussed in the Findings of Fact above, the applicant has included
as Exhibit 5 to its Burden of Proof "shadow plats" demonstrating
the proposed subdivision could be developed at urban density in
the future when the subject property is annexed into the Bend city
limits and UGB." (Decision, p. 14).
Neither this quote, nor any text on pages 10 or 14 of the Decision state that the Hearings Officer
found the building envelopes to be key to consistency with the purpose the UAR-10 zone. To
the contrary, in the discussion on pages 10-1 1, the Hearings Officer notes that the building
envelopes proposed in a similar UAR-10 subdivision to the south actually raised the opposite
concern (that the envelopes would preclude future redevelopment outside of each envelope,
thereby rendering the project inconsistent with the purpose of the UAR-10 zone). Thus, the
Hearings Officer noted that any such development restrictions must be tied to the period during
which the property is zoned UAR-10 and removed if the property is upzoned and brought into
the UGB. (Decision, p. 1 1).
Put simply, the UAR-10 zoning restrictions themselves create the 76% open space referenced by
the Applicant and the Hearings Officer. Per the zone, each lot must be 10 acres in size, and only
one dwelling may be sited on each lot, plus accessory structures such as a detached garage or
shed. A building envelope would simply guide where the dwelling and accessory structures
were located within the lot, but it has no role in preserving the overall percentage of open space.
Rather, the open space is preserved by virtue of the zoning restrictions of the UAR-10 zone.
Thus, contrary to Staffs interpretation of the Hearings Officer's findings, the building envelopes
are not necessary to comply with the UAR-10 zone. Therefore, the Appellant requests that the
Board revise the proposed conditions to remove the requirement to establish building envelopes
on all lots. In addition, the Board could add a condition to address the AS[ lots only. The
suggested revised conditions were attached to the Notice of Appeal and read as follows (new text
is underlined, text to be removed is seek):
"l0. The applicant/owner shall create a homeowners' association and shall
submit to Deschutes County Legal Counsel for review and approval the
associations' bylaws and covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&R's). The
CC&R's shall address, at a minimum for each dwelling: a) required compliance
with "building eavelepes"an setbacks established in this decision; b) required
compliance with speeial setb eke and buildingfestr-ieti "building envelopes"
and land division restrictions for Lots 2 through 6 to minimize impacts on ShevIm
Park; c) reqUiFed installation of Fesidential fiFessp4nk4ei--s-�,�,req uired
compliance with "building envelopes" for Lots 19 and 22 to minimize impacts on
the Area of Special Interest; and d) a statement that with the exception of Lots 2
through 6 which shall not be further divided, the development restrictions in the
CC&R's shall not preclude future urban density subdivision or development when
the subdivision is annexed into the Bend UGB."
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N19. The applicant/owner shall establish "building envelopes" include in ti
`ieptlons for Lots 2 through 6
su bdivision an these lots. to minimize views of any proposed structures from
within Shevlin Park. No development of any kind shall occur outside of the
building envelopes and only one single-family dwelling plus accessory
structures, may be constructed within each building envelope.
a. The "building envelopes" for Lots 2 through 6 shall conform to the
following rear yard scaled setbacks:
Lot Rim Setback Western Property Line Setback
2 115 feet 200 feet
3 120 feet
260 feet
4 120 feet
270 feet
5 130 feet
280 feet
6 70 feet (nw corner)
320 feet
b. The building envelopes shall be mandated through the project CC&Rs The
CC&Rs shall require the consent of the Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District
prior to any modification of the building envelopes for Lots 2 through 6 and prior
to any modification of this condition
24- c. To assure compliance with the requirements of Condition of Approval 20
this condition, the applicant/owner shall mark with a permanent monument for
each lot for Lots 2 through 6 the four property corners and the point on the rim
from which the rim setback shall be measured.
21. The applicant/owner shall establish building envelopes for Lots 19 and 22
to minimize impacts on the character and visual quality of the rocky canes
identified as an Area of Special Interest in the Bend Urban Area General Plan
(Chapter 2 and the Bend Urban Area General Plan Map) The building envelopes
shall be mandated through the project CC&Rs "
The revised conditions will limit the building envelope requirement to only those lots required to
have such restrictions to meet code standards. If the Appellant wishes to establish building
envelopes for other lots it may do so, but the revised conditions will not mandate compliance
with the preliminary envelopes that were shown on the tentative plan for illustration purposes
only. In addition, the revised conditions will reflect the language requested by BMPRD during
negotiations while the application was pending. Finally, the revised conditions will ensure that
the property is not subject to deed restrictions that would ultimately conflict with the standards of
the UAR-10 Zone or Condition 10, which prohibit the applicant/owner from precluding "future
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urban density subdivision or development when the subdivision is annexed into the Bend UGB."
This is necessary to ensure compliance with the UAR-10 purpose statement and approval
criteria, which require the UAR-10 Zone to be used as a "holding /.one" for future urban
development.
C. Third Assignment of Error: The Condition Proposed by the Hearings
Officer to Govern the Timing of Dedication of Skyline Ranch Road is
Inconsistent with the Findings.
As explained in the Notice of Appeal, Condition 22 governs the dedication of right-of-way for
Skyline Ranch Road. In her findings on page 24, the Hearings Officer concurred with the
Applicant that the right-of-way for Skyline Ranch Road should be dedicated prior to Phase 8 of
the subdivision. In a footnote, she also states that the Applicant may "elect" to dedicate the
right-of-way prior to Phase 8 to facilitate the provision of a southern access. However, the
heading attached to Condition 22 requires the right-of-way to be dedicated prior to the issuance
of a building permit for the 26`I' dwelling within the subdivision. Thus, the condition is
inconsistent with the findings.
The inconsistency seems to derive from the fact that the Hearings Officer concluded that a
secondary access should be provided prior to issuance of a building permit for the 26`h dwelling
within the subdivision. (Decision, p. 32). This is due to a Rural Fire Protection Standard
allowing up to 25 homesites in a single access subdivision. However, the right-of-way
dedication for Skyline Ranch Road is not necessary to provide the secondary access. Rather, as
recognized by the Hearings Officer in Condition 23, the Applicant has several options to provide
secondary access, and only one of the three options would require the dedication and
construction of Skyline Ranch Road. Therefore, the Applicant requests that the Board remove
Condition 22 from the heading "PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT FOR THE
TWENTY-SIXTH (26TH) SUBDIVISION DWELLING," and place it under a new heading that
reads: "PRIOR TO FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR PHASE 8."
As confirmed by the Staff Report to the Board (page 6), the Appellant's appeal of this condition
concerns only the issue of whether the timing set forth in the heading governing Conditions 22
and 23 is consistent with the Hearings Officer's findings and the evidence in the record. This
assignment of error does not raise any other issues regarding Skyline Ranch Road. For example,
this assignment does not raise any issues regarding the width of the dedication nor the location of
the dedication. However, at 4:00 PM on October 31, one day before the Board hearing on this
matter, the Appellant received extensive comments from the City and County attempting to
reopen a variety of issues regarding grid/connectivity concerns posed by the City and questions
about the proper alignment and width of Skyline Ranch Road. The comments also request that
the Board require the Appellant to construct the entire segment of Skyline Ranch Road adjacent
to the property, even though the Hearings Officer clearly found that such an exaction could not
be constitutionally imposed because the traffic study demonstrated that "McLain Road and
Shevlin Park Road can handle subdivision -generated traffic and therefore a connection to
1 Phase 8 of the subdivision includes the final three lots of the 34 -lot subdivision, located in the southeast corner of
the subdivision. Two of these lots (20 and 2 1 ) include the area that will actually be dedicated for the right-of-way.
(See Tentative Plan Map).
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Skyline Ranch Road is not warranted," and "it would not have a nexus with, or be roughly
proportional to, the anticipated traffic impacts from the subdivision, as required by Dolan 1% Citi:
of Tigard, 512 US 374 (1994) and its progeny." (Decision, p. 24).
The City and County had ample opportunity to submit these comments during the tentative plan
proceedings before the Hearings Officer. The Hearings Officer considered a variety of comments
on the road issues, as evidence by her findings on pages 22-25 of the Decision. This appeal is
not an opportunity to submit new comments on the Tentative Plan generally. Rather, it is an
opportunity to address only those assignments of error raised in the Appellant's appeal. The
Board may accept new evidence on the assignments of error, but, as stated in the Staff Report,
the actual issues on appeal are limited to those raised by the Appellant. Those issues are
summarized in the Staff Report, which contains no reference to the new Skyline Ranch Road
issues raised by the road departments.
In summary, contrary to the comments submitted by the County and City Road Departments, the
assignment of error submitted by the Appellant on Condition 22 is very narrow and concerns
only the timing issue set forth in the heading. Therefore, the Appellant respectfully requests that
the Board disregard the memoranda from the City and County Road Departments on issues that
are not subject to this appeal. Otherwise, the Board will set a precedent by which every de novo
appeal accepted by the Board will turn into a complete rehearing of any issue that an appellant,
public citizen, or public agency wishes to discuss. Just as the Board would not allow an
appellant to raise new issues that were not set forth in the Notice of Appeal, the Board should
also prohibit County and City agencies from doing the same.
D. Fourth Assignment of Error: The Condition Proposed by the Hearings
Officer to Mandate Fire Sprinkler Systems in Each Dwelling is Not Required
by Code Standards or Supported by the Evidence in the Record
The Hearings Officer's proposed Condition 10(c), also discussed above in the context of the
building envelope issue, requires the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems. The
findings related to the internal fire sprinkler systems are set forth on page 18 of Hearings
Officer's Decision. Based upon W&H Pacific meeting notes dated June 14, 2005, the Hearings
Officer concluded that internal fire sprinkler systems may be required. The meeting notes appear
to have been misunderstood. The meeting notes are attached as Exhibit D. The notes indicate
that International Fire Code Regulation NFPA 1142 would become applicable once the subject
property was annexed into the Rural Fire Protection District. The referenced regulation provides
multiple alternatives for fire protection systems, depending upon a number of factors, including
the ultimate size of the residential structure. The meeting notes also state that internal fire
protection sprinklers were recommended by the Bend Fire Marshal, but not required under the
applicable regulations.
At this time, the size of future structures within the proposed subdivision is unknown, the type of
construction is unknown, and the exposure to wildfire hazards is unknown. Fire protection
requirements should be established in the future, when building plans are available and all the
needed details of construction are known. It is neither prudent nor necessary to establish fire
protection requirements at this time. The requirement for internal fire sprinkler systems may be
appropriate for a very large home, but could be a significant burden for a standard residence.
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Fire sprinkler systems can represent a financial burden, as well as an aesthetic burden if exposed
sprinkler heads are imposed.
The subject property has now been annexed by the Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection
District No. 2. The Appellant has no intent to avoid fire protection requirements. Rather, the
Appellant proposes that all future residents and buildings conform to applicable fire protection
standards in effect at the time of construction, when all the necessary details regarding each
dwelling are available to establish the proper fire protection needs. Thus, as shown in Exhibit C
to the Notice of Appeal, the Appellant requests that the Board delete subsection (c) of Condition
10 and that the Board impose a condition requiring the applicant to comply with the
requirements of the Rural Five Protection District.
III.CONCLUSION
The Appellant respectfully requests that the Board overturn the Hearings Officer's denial of the
Tentative Plan, and revise the proposed conditions as described above. All other findings and
conditions proposed by the Hearings Officer are not subject to this appeal and should be adopted
as dratted.
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