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2008-946-Minutes for Meeting October 29,2008 Recorded 11/17/2008COUNTY NANCYUBLANKENSHIP,FCOUNTY CLERKDS CJ 1408.946 C 1IM1101 111MMINMEIRRIMME11 62m min OMMISSIONERS' JOURNAL 11I17/2048 11;4$;41 AM 2008-948 Do not remove this page from original document. Deschutes County Clerk Certificate Page If this instrument is being re-recorded, please complete the following statement, in accordance with ORS 205.244: Re-recorded to correct [give reason] previously recorded in Book or as Fee Number and Page Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.orc MINUTES OF WORK SESSION DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2008 Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke, Tammy Baney and Michael M. Daly. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; and, for portions of the meeting, Anna Johnson, Communications; Tom Anderson, Paul Blikstad and Peter Gutowsky, Community Development; Mark Pilliod, Steve Griffin, Chris Bell and Laurie Craghead, Legal Counsel; and six other citizens. Also present was media representative Hillary Borrud of The Bulletin. Chair Luke opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Trust for Public Lands - Greenprint Presentation. Brad Chalfant explained how the various jurisdictions could work together to identify important natural resources that should be set aside and protected. He hopes that in partnership with the County a more coordinated response and effort can be developed. Kristen Kovalek of the Trust for Public Land conducted a presentation on what a greenprint is, who the current partners are, and that the public entities have all approved resolutions of support. A greenprint plan has to do with identifying areas and how to plan for land conservation and recreational opportunities. She explained the benefits of having the plan. Commissioner Luke asked what is meant by the phrase, what to do with County-owned lands. When land is owned by the government, it no longer generates tax revenue. He is concerned about zones being put on property that restrict a person from using their land as they had intended to when they purchased the property. Mr. Chalfant said the intent is not to create any new zones or regulations. This is intended to take inventory of existing public lands, identify the most important ones in terms of parklands, discuss exchanges or a process to better utilize a public purpose. Minutes of Administrative Work Session Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Page 1 of 6 Pages Bruce Ronning said that they would identify all public lands and look at the interrelationship of the lands. Some may be valuable for that purpose while others may not. Ms. Kovalek went on to explain how a public forum would be arranged to take comments on what they hope to see. The first step is to build constituency; then comes data collection with the stakeholder groups, and map out the information. A GIS model would then overlay the information to determine the most critical aspects. Input from local parks providers will be extremely helpful during the decision- making process and the allocation of resources. In addition, funding resources will be investigated in order to acquire certain lands. That that time Ms. Kovalek said that over the course of about a year there will be four or five meetings, and they would like a staff person attend to keep everyone informed and to provide input on properties. Tom Anderson stated that there is eligible staff who might be able to help. Peter Gutowsky said there is extensive GIS information available, but reminded everyone that the comprehensive plan is now being revised. Mr. Chalfant stated that the idea is essentially to bring information together, to identify if there are public lands that are not being utilized. This includes public participation. It is not contrary to protecting private property rights. The BLM and Forest Service would have to initiate any trade out of their properties, but the public may identify them. Commissioner Luke stated that if 19th Street ever gets going, there could be a trail from Bend to Redmond, through Juniper Ridge. Erik Kropp asked if anyone in the group is able to say at this point what would be in the GIS compilation. He hopes to have extensive information from various entities participating. The Board indicated general support of the resolution, with minor changes. Staff time and GIS information can be shared. The group will put in a request for lottery funds to support their efforts. Minutes of Administrative Work Session Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Page 2 of 6 Pages 2. Request for Business Loan - La Pine Community Health Clinic. Chance Steffey stated it is not yet approved but it is ultimately expected. Mr. Kann eri said they are asking for a loan to use in the interim. Commissioner Daly explained that someone at the federal level made an error on the paperwork by stating the wrong county. Since then it has been adjusted but resulted in a delay of about six months. Everyone has worked hard to get this funding in place, but it has taken at least a year to go through the process and has resulted in a loss of funding of about $600,000 during that time. These service are greatly needed in the La Pine area. Mr. Kanner stated that a business loan could be structured for repayment by the end of the fiscal year, with interest equivalent to the amount usually earned in the investment pool. Commissioner Daly asked what the $20,000 in legal fees was for. Mr. Steffey stated t) at there were various purchase agreements and various fees for the formation of the 501(3)(c). BANEY: Move approval of the grant for $26,000 DALY: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. DALY: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. 3. Report on October 27 Bend Urban Growth Boundary Expansion Planning Commission Meeting. Peter Giltowsky said that there was a meeting of the Planning Commissions of the Co ty and the City of Bend on Monday, October 27, and over thirty people testified. DLCD and ODOT submitted letters into the record. The hearing was closed. The City Planning Commission recommended approval of Option 4. It had gone from Options 1, 2, 3, to 3A, to 4. City and County staff have worked to come to a recommendation. There is a discussion scheduled on Monday, November 1 on the Board business meeting agenda, and a joint hearing of the City Council and the Board is scheduled for November 24. The City had met on October 23, and agreed to deliberate on November 13. Minutes of Page 3 of 6 Work Session Wednesday, October 29, 2008 The comprehensive plan has to be amended to match the City plan. He suggested that the City focus their time on things that matter the most on this proposal. If there are issues regarding the proposal, they can create an issue list for review. There is no time remaining for them to deliberate before November 24. Commissioner Luke said the Bend Urban Area Planning Commission should have the most say in this, as it involves the City. He asked what concerns the County Planning Commission might have that have not already been expressed, since there have been numerous meetings and staff discussions. Mr. Gutowsky stated that the liaisons reported back on progress, but the full proposal did not come until October 23, followed by 3.5 hours of public testimony. Title 19 largely is being amended to what is done in Sisters and Redmond today; holding zones, so that when the City annexes property they can maximize the land for urbanization. It is a very aggressive schedule and the County tried to get the City's information into the County format. Commissioner Luke asked how much weight should be given to conflicts between what the City Council wants and what the County Planning Commission recommends. Laurie Craghead stated that the questions revolve around the findings being justified; they do not agree. The County also has Title 19 Code considerations. There are many little zones that would be changed to just a few zones. There is a problem with that, as there would be a gap for Tetherow and other areas. It is awkward bringing those back in. It may be that there are differences of opinion on procedures and findings, or which properties would be brought in. Mr. Anderson stated that Todd Turner, Planning Commissioner, recommended they tie in the proposed boundary with the County road system. He had other ideas that made sense. Mr. Gutowsky said that the joint management agreement now in effect includes a legal description defining the area. The City Council and the Board have to agree before recommendations are forwarded to the State. It is the City's responsibility to produce the recommendations and findings since it is their proposal. They have had a lengthy schedule for the past two years to get to this point. The document has to be legally defensible. It is a very aggressive approach and may be difficult. The City bears the burden, and the State is the referee. Recommendations and answers to questions from the Board should come primarily from City staff. Minutes of Administrative Work Session Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Page 4 of 6 Pages There are two options for the Board to consider. It there is disagreement on the proposal, it has to be resolved. That would take significant staff resources. The other option is conditioning the proposal so that it cannot be implemented until the State makes a formal decision. Ms. Craghead stated that when a County adopts an ordinance, it is effective even if it is not acknowledged, although anyone proceeding under it would be doing so at his or her own risk. It would technically become effective within 90 days and property owners could proceed with rezoning, but there is a risk that DLCD could refuse it and ask for changes. Mr. Gutowsky said that if County conditions it, the County could become a barrier. It is important that the Board read the letters and testimony. There will be at least one more letter from the DLCD. It is possible that a condition may not be needed. Adopting concurrent ordinances of the City and County is challenging, but the City has to justify the need and their findings. Commissioner Baney said that after the meeting if it becomes clear that things are not aligning as hoped, more information can be requested. Commissioner Luke would like to have a couple of more work sessions with staff to keep updated on this process. Commissioner Melton asked if the joint meeting scheduled for November 24 is too aggressive. Mr. Kanner stated that a decision does not have to occur at that time, and deliberations can occur separately. Commissioner Luke asked how much micromanagement the County should do. It is the City's plan and the County primarily needs to be concerned about how it affects County roads, etc. The Board went into Executive Session at 3:10 p. m. 4. Executive Session: • ORS 192.660(2)(h), pending or threatened litigation • ORS 192.660(2)(e), real estate negotiations BANEY: Move to amend the Board's previous motion taken during the October 22 work session regarding the costs Thornburgh is to pay in defending the case before LUBA, per discussion in executive session. DALY: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. DALY: Yes. LUKE: Chair reluctantly votes yes. Minutes of Administrative Work Session Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Page 5 of 6 Pages BANEY: Move to grant authority to Legal Counsel to settle the Culver construction case under the terms discussed in executive session. DALY: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. DALY: Yes. LUKE: Chair reluctantly votes yes. BANEY: Move approval of Order No. 2008-088, Establishing an Area for Demonstrations, etc. at the Memorial Service for PFC Cody Eggleston at the Fairgrounds, November 1. LUKE: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. DALY: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. 5. Other Items. None were offered. Being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. DATED this 29th Day of October 2008 for the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. Dennis-.R. Luke, Chair my Baney, Vic hair„ ATTEST: Michtel M. Recording Secretary y, C&EVissioner Minutes of Administrative Work Session Page 6 of 6 Pages Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org WORK SESSION AGENDA DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1:30 P.M., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2008 1. Trust for Public Lands - Greenprint Presentation 2. Request for Business Loan - La Pine Community Health Clinic 3. Report on October 27 Bend UGB Planning Commission Meeting - Peter Gutowsky 4. Executive Session: • ORS 192.660(2)(h), pending or threatened litigation • ORS 192.660(2)(e), real estate negotiations 5. Other Items PLEASE NOTE: At any time during this meeting, an executive session could be called to address issues relating to ORS 192.660(2) (e), real property negotiations; ORS 192.660(2) (h), pending or threatened litigation; or ORS 192.660(2) (b), personnel issues Meeting dates, times and discussion items are subject to change. All meetings are conducted in the Board of Commissioners' meeting rooms at 1300 NW Wall St., Bend, unless otherwise indicated. If you have questions regarding a meeting, please call 388-6572. Deschutes County meeting locations are wheelchair accessible. Deschutes County provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. For deaf, hearing impaired or speech disabled, dial 7-1-1 to access the state transfer relay service for TTY. Please call (541) 388-6571 regarding alternative formats or for further information. C N V OJ r 00 O O L co O N cu E 4 x c~ L MMN W ~ O d V ~ C Q) cu r O Q) ~ L d. r 4 :E z co C O C Z N Ln V D 0 .Y L o~ v co ~ • ~ , (0 CL 1.11 F. TRUST for PUBLIC LAND Kristin Kovalik Trust for Public Land 115 NW Oregon Ave., Suite 9 Bend, OR 97701 Phone(541)382-2092 Fax (541) 322-9723 DESCHUTES COUNTY GREENPRIN"I': A. NATURAL RESOURCE, PARK, OPENSPACE AND TRAILS PROTECTION PLAN FOR DESCHUTES COUNTY AND ITS INCORPORATED JURISDICTIONS PROJECT SUMMARY: The Trust for Public Land (TPL), working in partnership with Bend Metro Park and Recreation District, the Deschutes Land Trust, the Cities of Bend, Sisters, Redmond, La Pine and the Redmond Park and Recreation District, proposes developing a County-wide Greenprint based on goals of common interest across the county. The resulting Greenprint will function as a planning tool for county, local land and natural resource protection and park and trail development efforts. Through the Greenprint process, communities can identify lands that meet a wide range of land conservation goals, and can develop an action plan for implementing voluntary and incentive-based strategies to: ❑ Create a regional, interconnected trail system that includes multi-use trails connecting parks and recreation facilities, federally managed public lands, schools, neighborhoods and business districts, as well as other destinations in and between the cities and county. The planned trail network can meet the recreational, environmental and alternative transportation goals identified by the communities. ❑ Protect the lands most critical for water quality and quantity by analyzing data on soils, slopes, land cover, and groundwater recharge, with a strong focus on the protection of the Deschutes River, groundwater resources and drinking water supplies. ❑ Meet the park, natural resource and recreation needs of the rapidly growing populations in Deschutes County, identifying ways to use investments in parks, trails and open space as a proactive strategy to guide future growth and ensure the quality of life that is essential to the health of community members. ❑ Protect the unique natural resources of the area, including wildlife habitat, forests, wetlands, riparian corridors, scenic vistas, working lands and historic resources. TPL's Greenprint is an interactive, community modeling process that uses a geographic information system (GIS) to identify priorities for planning and conserving parks, trails and natural resources based on local input. We work with key stakeholders and the public to identify goals and values around land conservation and recreation. Then we form a Technical Advisory Team to work with TPL on developing scientifically sound models that incorporate the best available data with current local and national research. The result is a set of maps that prioritize exactly where the community should invest its limited resources in order to meet its many goals, an analysis of funding and implementation strategies, and a web-based Greenprint model that Deschutes County, Bend Metro Park and Recreation District and the Cities of Bend, Redmond, La Pine and Sisters, and the various natural resource groups can use to implement their land protection, park, recreation, open space and trail goals. BACKGROUND AND NEED: During the past ten years, Deschutes County has experienced the most rapid growth of any county in Oregon largely due to its quality of life and year- round recreation opportunities, including cross-country skiing, snowboarding, fishing, hunting, hiking, rock-climbing, whitewater rafting, and golfing. Over the last 15 years, the City of Bend has grown 268%, Redmond 228%, and Sisters 157%. Population projections through 2025 predict Bend growing an additional 35%, Redmond 91%, and Sisters 67%. While a high rate of growth offers tremendous opportunities, it can also threaten the natural resources, unique character and quality of life that residents have come to enjoy. The Cities of Bend, Redmond and Sisters are experiencing heavy growth and there is a need to plan in a way that sustains the local economy, environment and quality of life. The Greenprint will provide these cities with an open space plan, as well as a tool that can be used to guide additional community planning efforts in the future. PROJECT SCOPE AND PROCESS: TPL's Greenprint planning process and scope will incorporate the following steps: ❑ Stakeholder and public outreach to develop natural resource, park, open space and trail goals, ❑ Prioritizing lands for protection that meet identified goals, using a GIS-based Greenprint Model, ❑ Conservation finance analysis to identify all existing and potential public sources of implementation funds from local, state and federal sources, ❑ An Action Plan with implementation strategies, ❑ A web-based Greenprint that can be used long-term by federal, state and local governments and other partners to update and share data and maps and guide future implementation. In order to make the process as cost-effective as possible, TPL proposes running a stream-lined, county-wide Greenprint planning process, that would rely on the input of a county-wide Stakeholder Group and the community as well as data collected from a public opinion survey and current conditions review, to set the goals and criteria for the Greenprint. TPL has partnered with J.T. Atkins & Company PC, a local planning firm with the qualifications to be able to manage the process locally. TPL proposes creating a county-wide Greenprint Stakeholder Group with representatives from the economic and business sectors, county and jurisdiction staff, natural resource agencies, recreation user groups and NGO's, that will help guide the development of the Greenprint. We will work with the Stakeholder Group and the public to identify goals and criteria for conservation that span jurisdictional boundaries within the county. Five public meetings, one in each jurisdiction and one in the unincorporated area will take place twice during the Greenprint process in order to gain broad community input. TPL will work with Deschutes County, the local jurisdictions and members of the Technical Advisory Team, to collect all necessary data and build the model framework. Once the Greenprint Model is complete, TPL will work with the Stakeholder Group and public to prioritize and weigh the goals in order to create a land protection scenario with broad support. In addition to interviews and document review, we have also incorporated a public opinion survey to further inform the process. The results of the public opinion survey will provide the county-wide Greenprint Stakeholders with a detailed overview of goals and priorities for conservation throughout the county. Because the Stakeholders and public will have responsibility for identifying goals and criteria that apply to all jurisdictions in the county, we think it is important to collect as much information upfront as possible in order to inform the process and ensure that the Greenprint reflects values and interests from communities throughout the county. TPL has grant funding to pay for the survey, which will cost about $20,000, allowing us to offer this important service at no cost to the county or local jurisdictions. The public opinion poll will build on, rather than duplicate, the survey being completed by Bend Metro Park and Recreation District, which is a detailed park use and satisfaction survey. Our understanding is that the county and local jurisdictions would like to have a final Greenprint that reflects the unique issues and opportunities faced by each jurisdiction and that can be used for a variety of county and local land acquisition and planning purposes in the future. We think the approach of working with a county-wide Greenprint Stakeholder Group and public will result in a land protection, planning tool that will function effectively at local and county levels. BUDGET FOR THE DESCHUTES COUNTY GREENPRINT: Current Conditions Analysis and Kick-off Meeting - $18,000 ❑ Kick-off meeting with Greenprint Steering Committee and Stakeholders ❑ Interviews with elected officials and key stakeholders ❑ Review of related document, reports and surveys ❑ Current Conditions Report and Base Maps Public Opinion Survey - $0.00 ($20,000 cost covered by existing grant) ❑ Design questionnaire ❑ Administer poll and analyze results ❑ Present results to County-wide Task Force Goal and Criteria Workshops with Public and Stakeholders - $20,000 ❑ Two Stakeholder and five public meetings to identify goals, priorities and criteria for the Greenprint Model Framework. ❑ Develop draft criteria matrix and data inventory GIS Data Collection - $9,500 ❑ Collecting and processing GIS data, including collecting, preprocessing, validating and refining data and criteria matrix as required Greenprint Model Design and Implementation - $30,000 ❑ Develop criteria matrix, identify data sources and get feedback on model design through WebEx meetings with Stakeholders and/or Technical Advisory Team ❑ Construct GIS models for each goal ❑ Work with Greenprint Stakeholders and Technical Advisory Team to validate and refine Model Presentation, Goal Prioritization Workshops - $33,000 ❑ Two Stakeholder and five public meetings to review and refine priority maps and weight goals for composite priority maps Parcel Prioritization - $6,500 ❑ Develop parcel prioritization criteria and matrix ❑ Model implementation ❑ Customize tools for parcel analysis and produce analysis statistics ❑ This budget assumes that parcel prioritization would be done with a single set of acquisition criteria for all jurisdictions Conservation Finance Analysis - $0.00 ($7,500 cost covered by existing grant) ❑ Finance Feasibility Study Funding and Implementation Workshop - $5,000 ❑ Meeting with Steering Committee and Stakeholders to present results of public funding research, polling and survey ❑ Develop action plan Maps, Statistics and Final Report - $20,000 ❑ Writing, layout and design of final report o Producing model outputs, including maps and statistics. Greenprint Model Delivery - Web-based (Internet Mapping Site) - $12,000 ❑ Website creation, setup and data configuration ❑ Training for jurisdictions and partners ❑ Website maintenance and support for 12 months Total Project Budget $154,000 Includes all tasks listed above and project management fee To date $101,00 has been committed to the Green print project. TPL, Deschutes Land Trust and the Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District have each committed $30,000, the City of Bend $5,000, the Redmond Park and Recreation District $2,500, the City of Redmond $2,500 and the City of Sisters has committed $1,000. ABOUT THE TRUST FO.R .PUBLIC LAND: The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a private nonprofit organization that works nationwide to conserve land for public use. TPL has worked in and around where people live since it was founded in 1972, and has demonstrated expertise in developing and analyzing park and open space programs. TPL helps prioritize lands for protection, pinpoint neighborhoods in need of new parks, and identify lands that safeguard important natural resources - and then develop action strategies to help realize local goals. TPL's Geographic Information System (GIS) approach, known as Greenprinting, targets lands that are strong candidates for conservation and helps establish local land conservation goals. TPL currently has over two-dozen active visioning and greenprinting projects in cities and counties around the country. These projects cover a range of activities, including mapping, planning, financing and transaction services around public open space. U S, C U N s j\ I 1 c: I_A N a F 0' 2 U F L r~tioa~~e Deschutes County is one of the nation's fastest-growing counties Currently, no comprehensive countywide plan prioritizes the lands for conservation and recreation 1V_-_-*n Objective Create a plan to protect natural lands and recreation to ensure the quality of life in Deschutes County Deschutes Land Trust Mi ITI1 ~ ~y ~~/c r/ ~i i/~, % \L11 ;~J U J !l Jr ~~l' U ly l`~ U 'V U (l d Deschutes Count) is a great place to live, work, and play. Our ongoing challenge is to create new recreation oppornlnities and preserve critical wildlife habitat and natural resources. I Iclp us plan for the fitnlre and ensure our quality of life is maintained by participating in the Greenprint. What is a Greenprint? A non-regulator} road map for conservation that helps communities make informed decisions about land conservation, recreation priorities, and balanced growth. Components of a Grcenprint include A comprehensive overview of critical natural resources, wildlife habitat, and trail connections in the region Maps that higlilight the ecological and recreation priorities of the region as identified by the public Ali actionable, inclusive vision for supporting the conservation and recreation needs of a community Why a Greenprint in Deschutes County? .3I n the past tcn years, Deschutes County has experienced the most rapid growth of any county in Oregon, largely due to its quality of life and year-round recreation R6- By advancing a regional dialogue we can create a unified vision that balances growth, conservation, and recreation in Deschutes County For many years, I'PL and partners have recognized that careful, insightful planning is key to creating and maintaining healthy, balanced community growth Bend Metro Park & Recreation District A6L,' City of Bend owl City of Redmond Redmond Parks & Recreation District City of Sisters Bend 2030 The 7i-list Im.1'u611 1,111,1 /JI'~~fJ~~Iiltt iJ1JJ1' as~'dP1S.,JI"i~i7K., aik{ othrr naturall,hic,s. ilrsurin~ lirahli a"Immillittcs rJY Qi i ti t51N011f I J i MI Photo b) I fan) hicfrl N%%%%% Irl ork 1. 0 N 1 I k V I 11 ( t_ A N ) F U R What Can You Expect from the Greenprint? A plan for the future of Deschutes County ,t>- Unified, cornprelicnsive, and regional ,;b- Created in collaboration with community leaders and partners ib- Based on an objcctivc, expert assessment of o Critical areas for natUral resource protection, wildlife habitat, trail connectivity, and additional parks and open space o Community information on what is needed to maintain landscape character and quality of life associated with Deschutes County A community involved in, and supportive of, the plan r,)- Extensive aonuntmity participation in shaping the goals and priorities for land consen'ation and recreation in Deschutes County ib- Ongoing dialogue about the quality of life in Deschutes County' inn action plan to fund and implement the Grccnprint goals and priorities For more information about our work itu Oregon, please contact: Nelson Mathews Program Director 541-322-0133 nclsou.nladiewst)tpl.org For more information about the Grccnprint, please contact: Kristin Kovalik Project Manager 541-382-2092 kristin. kovalik(-)tpi.org Tbr Trust for PiAti 1AIld iotlSi/'1'i~lalltr'll,pt,or1li to t'lltol' c75rhil"rw~" garea')!t, antiodiir matmall'lil c . cusurin~ hral lr rntouanoutes roe Lilti Yd tf ollf to "001C. \\\t~\ 1pl,org L-- Photo ht 1),m\ hwG] uc.ctnrr r~ LAND 11, RU S`1' www.dcschuteslandtrnust.org Mc4o DMict www.bcndparksandrec.org I.1 t s"r PUBLIC IAND Soso www. tpl.org 1'pdawd 4pwinbrr 20o8 1'11w,1~, 1'n91 \loo❑ RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT Whereas, Deschutes County is committed to maintaining and enhancing quality of life for its citizens; and; Whereas, open spaces, natural areas, parks and trails are freely accessible community assets offering opportunities for recreation and exercise to everyone, including children, youth and families, and provide places for people to experience a sense of community and create stronger social and family ties; an Whereas, open spaces, parks and trails provide key amenities to communities and areas for our citizens and children to travel, exercise, play and connect with nature; and Whereas, open spaces, parks and trails have significant impact on the economic viability of the region through increased levels of tourism, enhanced property values, as well as enhanced ability to attract and retain businesses to the region due to improved quality of life; and Whereas, many agencies in our region have taken a lead in planning and/or building local parks, trails and protecting open space and those efforts can be greatly enhanced by being connected to a larger regional network of open space, natural areas, parks, trails; and Whereas, Deschutes County recognizes that the Greenprint will contribute to quality of life by identifying lands that meet the open space, natural resource, parks, trails and recreation needs of the rapidly growing populations in the County, identify ways to use investments in parks, trails and open space as a proactive strategy to guide future growth and ensure the quality of life that is essential to the health of community members; and Whereas, partial funding is available for the Greenprint for planning and prioritizing lands for open space, natural areas, parks and regional trails, and this funding will leverage public funding from federal, state and various sources; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that Deschutes County supports the Greenprint and is committed to working with The Trust for Public Land and partners to allocate staff time and to be involved with prioritizing land for open space, natural areas, parks and trails, and supports a dialogue about future funding strategies to implement the Greenprint priorities. Name and Title Date REVIEWED LEGAL COUNSEL BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON A Resolution to Support "Greenprint" and The Efforts of The Trust for Public Land * RESOLUTION NO. 2008-139 Whereas, Deschutes County is committed to maintaining and enhancing quality of life for its citizens; and; Whereas, open spaces, natural areas, parks and trails are freely accessible community assets offering opportunities for recreation and exercise to everyone, including children, youth and families, and provide places for people to experience a sense of community and create stronger social and family ties; and Whereas, open spaces, parks and trails provide key amenities to communities and areas for our citizens and children to travel, exercise, play and connect with nature; and Whereas, open spaces, parks and trails have significant impact on the economic viability of the region through increased levels of tourism, enhanced property values, as well as enhanced ability to attract and retain businesses to the region due to improved quality of life; and Whereas, many agencies in our region have taken a lead in planning and/or building local parks, trails and protecting open space and those efforts can be greatly enhanced by being connected to a larger regional network of open space, natural areas, parks, trails; and Whereas, Deschutes County recognizes that the Greenprint will contribute to quality of life by identifying lands that meet the open space, natural resource, parks, trails and recreation needs of the rapidly growing populations in the County, identify ways to use investments in parks, trails and open space as a proactive strategy to guide future growth and ensure the quality of life that is essential to the health of community members; and Whereas, partial funding is available for the Greenprint for planning and prioritizing lands for open space, natural areas, parks and regional trails, and this funding will leverage public funding from federal, state and various sources; Resolution No. 2008-139 Page 1 of 2 Now, therefore, be it resolved that Deschutes County supports the Greenprint and is committed to working with The Trust for Public Land and partners to allocate staff time and to be involved with prioritizing land for open space, natural areas, parks and trails, and supports a dialogue about future funding strategies to implement the Greenprint priorities. DATED this day of 2008. ATTEST: Recording Secretary BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON DENNIS R. LUKE, Chair TAMMY BANEY, Commissioner MICHAEL M. DALY, Commissioner Resolution No. 2008-139 Page 2 of 2 October 15, 2008 Dave Kanner, Administrator Deschutes County Commisioners Office Dear Dave: We are contacting you to request financial support for the transitional expenses we will be occurring to form and start a new Federally Qualified Health Center in LaPine, Oregon. Your support will enable us to cash flow our operation until we can have access to forthcoming federal grant funds and operational revenue. Below we have explained our situation and need and hope that your organization can support our mission. The LaPine Community Health Center (LPCHC), a newly formed non-profit organization, proposes to establish a new Federally Qualified Health Center to serve the underserved population residing in the community of LaPine and surrounding communities in Deschutes and Klamath Counties, Oregon. The service area, covering the southern portion of Deschutes and the northern portion of Klamath Counties is home to a population of 12,505 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). This Area has been designated as being home to Medically Underserved Population and as a Health Profession Shortage Area by the Shortage Designation Branch of the Health Resources and Services Administration. Within the Service Area, 1,556 or 12.6% of the residents live with incomes under 100% of the Federal Poverty Level while 37.6% or 4,685 individuals live with incomes under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). Of these, and estimated 2,456 or 52.4% are uninsured, 1,362 or 29% are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) recipients (Office of Medical Assistance Programs, September, 2006), and 867 or 18.5% have Medicare (total Medicare population in the service area is estimated at 2,304) (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). Special healthcare needs of the population include a higher mortality rate due to diabetes (43.3/100,000 versus 28.6/100,000), heart disease (362/100,000 versus 187.6/100,000), all cancers (331/100,000 versus 195/100,000), lung cancer (62/100,000 versus 57.9/100,000), a higher rate of low birthweight babies (60.5/1000 versus 59.4/1000), a lower childhood immunization rate (76.5% versus 81%), a higher suicide rate (41.3/100,000 versus 14.8/100,000), a higher percent elderly rate (18.5% versus 12.9%), a higher rate of unintentional injuries (51.2/100,000 versus 37.1/100,000). Each indicator is in comparison to statewide rates. Health indicators underscore the need for a number of services including preventative primary care and chronic disease management, prenatal care and mental health care. The service area is located 30 miles and 40 minutes away, via a two-lane state highway, from the next nearest source of accessible primary care for the low-income accepting Medicare, Oregon Health Plan and uninsured. The next populated area to the south is Klamath Falls, a 1.5 hour drive via Highway 97, the same two-lane highway heading south. To the west, the region is primarily wilderness, and to the east, it is made up of long stretches of open range all the way to the Idaho state line. Winters in Central Oregon are harsh and roads are often icy and impassable, making access to Bend's medical community extremely difficult and at times not possible at all. For many residents of the service area, transportation is simply not available and there are few options for public transport. Lack of insurance and ability to pay for services is another significant barrier to basic healthcare. High unemployment rates (10.4% for LaPine versus 6.0% for Oregon) (Oregon Employment Department, July, 2008), high drop-out rates (25.1% for LaPine H.S. versus 13.7% for the State of Oregon)(Oregon Dept. of Education, 2006-2007), higher percent 25 and over with no High School diploma ( 22.4% for LaPine versus 14.9% for Oregon) (U. S. Census Bureau, 2000) and low-paying jobs with either no insurance benefit or a high deductible plans and lack of primary care providers contribute to the inability to access healthcare. A number of objectives will be undertaken by LPCHC to improve health outcomes for these identified indicators. First, it will provide greater access to primary care for low- income uninsured children in order to provide needed well-child visits and required immunizations. LPCHC will participate in the federal Vaccine for Children (VFC) program and purchases vaccines for children with insurance coverage. The goal will be to achieve a 90% immunization rate. To impact low birthweight babies and high infant mortality rates, LPCHC will establish prenatal care for the first time in the community, and then make efforts to work with the community to encourage early participation in this care. With Federal Tort Claims Act participation, providers currently at the Rural Health Clinic, will be able to provide these services that were previously not allowed by the malpractice insurance carriers. Also, arrangements have been made to coordinate care with the Bend OB/GYN practitioners to provide sliding fee scale discounts to our patients that we refer to them for prenatal care. LPCHC will implement a screening tool to assess and identify patients needing mental health and substance abuse services, and will make appropriate referrals to DCMH. The existing pediatric lifecycle includes a full risk assessment and this will be used at LPCHC to reduce early mortality in children by tracking developmental milestones, nutrition, environmental risks, etc. LPCHC will also analyze infant mortality data to identify trends and, if possible, take appropriate action to impact them. LPCHC will implement plans to increase the number of patients taking advantage of tobacco cessation programs in order to decrease the incidence of cancer, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. LPCHC will have an on-site case manager to coordinate services for patients. In addition, we will have a referrals coordinator, pharmacy assistance coordinator, and OHP (Medicaid) enrollment coordinator. LPCHC will have a system to track patients for follow-up visits, as well as preventive visits. Additionally, we will track all lab, radiology, specialty referrals, and hospital admissions. LPCHC will track these services in order to ensure that patients do not suffer negative health outcomes as a result of being lost to follow-up, and to ensure abnormal reports are addressed expeditiously. In order to accomplish our goals we are in need of transitional funding. There are many expenses that have and will need to occur in order to form the non-profit corporation, apply for the 5010 tax exempt status from IRS, facilitate an acquisition agreement, and other planning and contracting issues. A budget has been prepared and shown below. Legal Fees $20,000 Accountant Fees $4,000 IT Planning Fees $1,100 Miscellaneous Expenses $900 Total $26,000 Your support will help us cover the costs associated with preliminary work, that must be completed prior to receiving our federal grant. Thank you for your time and we hope to hear from you soon. If you have any questions Please contact me at 541-536-3435x209 (work phone) or 541-480-0492 (cell phone). Sincerely, Chance Steffey, LaPine Community Health Center sF (1 r ~J F. -(Yr-egon Theodore R. Kulongo'ki, governor October 27, 2008 Damian Syrnyk City of Bend Planning 710 NW Wall St Bend, OR 97701 Oregon Department of Transportation Program and Planning Unit 63085 N. Highway 97 Suite 107 Bend, OR 97701 Telephone (541) 388-6333 FAX (541) 388-6361 E-mail: mark.devoney@odot.state.or.us RE: MOT Preliminary Comments on Citv of Bend UGB Expansion Dear Damian, The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is currently reviewing the latest UGB expansion recommendation documentation. We have some preliminary comments that we would like to share with the City and will likely have additional comments after we are able to conduct a more in-depth review of all of the supporting documentation. Our preliminary comments are listed below. 1. Everasion ofconirnercinl & other infensive land uses almif), the state high ivar s ysterrr. We are very concerned about die proposal to extend commercial and other intensive zoning along both ends of Highways 20 and 97. Of particular concern is the northerly portion of Highway 97 and 20. ODOT and the City have been working very closely over the last several months to identify both short and long term measures to improve the function and safety of the state highway system in this area. Intensifying land uses in this area will further complicate the process of identifying transportation solutions and given that it will likely be 15-20 years before a long term solution could be constructed, these more intensive uses will exacerbate the existing congestion and safety issues. Creating a mega auto mall north of the existing UGB prior to identifying and funding the needed transportation infrastructure will create political and legal issues that will be problematic to deal with later. This will also likely make it more challenging to be able to accommodate development in Juniper Ridge. We have similar concerns about the proposed land uses at the south end of Highway 97 and question the ability of the transportation system to support nearly 500 acres of regional commercial and medical uses, including, evidently, over 100-acres designated for a new hospital. We are concerned about impacts from the proposed land use designations on the rural Baker Road interchange. The extension of strip commercial along the east portion of Highway 20 is also a concern, though this area are is less problematic than the proposals on US 97 since the traffic volumes are considerably less. 2. Issues related to the amount of land included in the UGB expansion vs. the potential for redevelopment inside the existing UGB. While we have not reviewed the supporting documentation in detail, our preliminary review brings into question whether the amount of land proposed to be added is justified. This includes questions about the size of `unsuitable parcels', amount of land needed for infrastructure (particularly road ROW), and other assumptions. 3. Proposed tent amendments to the Bend Area General Plan (BAGP). There are a number of text amendments proposed to the BAGP. We support these amendments but believe more specificity is needed in order to ensure that adequate local road infrastructure is provided in a timely fashion to parcels which front the state highway system. For example, the policy text proposed for 6.9.1 #9 (page 7-6) is very general and does riot specifically require that local road systems be in place prior to development of parcels fronting the highway. We worked closely with the City of Redmond during the development of the US 97 North Redmond Interchange Area Management Plan and agreed on some detailed policy and ordinance requirements that we believe would serve as a good model for the types of code and policy language that would be more effective (see [AMP Exhibit C, pp 13-14). We think it is critical for the City and ODOT to work together to identify more detailed BAGP and code language to protect the highway function and safety. 4. April, 2007 DKS Traffic Report. It is unclear to what extent this analysis reflects the impacts and needed mitigation for the currently proposed `Alternative 4'. We are currently comparing this report to the Alternative 4 proposal but it is clear that the preferred alternative has not been sufficiently analyzed to determine what the transportation investment costs will be. Further, the assumption that alternative mobility standards will be applied as needed is not supported by ODOT. Alternative mobility standards are possible on a limited, prescribed basis and require approval from the Oregon Transportation Commission. It is not acceptable to assert that the transportation system is sufficient when the statement assumes the unrestrained use of alternative mobility standards. 'sincerely Mark DeVoney Region 4 Planning Manager Cc via e-mail: Bob Bryant Peter Murphy Rod Cathcart Nick Arnis Bob Cortright Mark Radabau Gary Farnsworth Jon Heacock Jerry Mitchell Jim Bryant Peter Russell gh 'r F: ?x regon s 5 Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor October 24, 2008 Department of Land Conservation and Development 635 Capitol Street NE, Suite 150 Salem, Oregon 97301-2524 Phone: (503) 373-0050 First Floor/Coastal Fax: (503) 378-6033 Second Floor/Director's Office: (503) 378-5518 Web Address: http://www.oregon.gov/LCD City of Bend Planning Commission c/o Damian Syrnyk, Senior Planner 710 NW Wall Street Bend, Oregon 97701 Deschutes County Planning Commission c/o Community Development Department 117 NW Lafayette Avenue Bend, Oregon 97701 Subject: Bend urban Growth boundary expansion and related amendments (originally submitted as 4,884 acre expansion; revised as 8,943 acre expansion) Local file: 07-361; State file: Bend PAPA 010-07 Revised (Bend Urban Growth Boundary) Dear Chair Cliff Walkey and Chair R. Mike Shirtcliff: This letter, contains the Department of Land Conservation and Development's (the "department") preliminary comments on the revised proposal to expand the City of Bend's urban growth boundary (UGB). The revised proposal and notice was submitted jointly by the city and Deschutes County to the department for its review pursuant to ORS 197.610 on October 8, 2008. Since the revised proposal includes more than 50 acres of territory, it will be reviewed pursuant to the State of Oregon's periodic review procedures, following co-adoption by City of Bend and Deschutes County. At that time, the city should submit the co-adopted plan following procedures called out in OAR 660-025- 0175. The October 8 submittal has included a draft General Plan map and companion zoning map for the proposed UGB expansion area along with draft revisions to six chapters of the Bend General Plan.' The submittal also includes revisions to Deschutes County Code Title 19 (Bend Urban Growth Boundary Zoning Ordinance) and an October 3, 2008 staff memo to the city and county planning commissions concerning the UGB proposal. 'The October 8, 2008 submittal included Chapters 1 (Plan Management and Citizen Involvement), Chapter 2 (Natural Features and Open Space), Chapter 3 (Community Connections), Chapter 5 (Housing and Residential Lands), Chapter 8 (Public Facilities and Services) and a chapter relating to amendments to the Bend Transportation System Plan which appears to be part of Chapter 7 (Transportation "&p entitled "Community Appearance." OCT 2 7 2008 Deschutes Cvanty CDD City of Bend -2- October 24, 2008 . Deschutes County On October 20, 2008, Bend staff electronically submitted additional documentation related to the UGB expansion proposal. Among these materials are proposed revisions to the city's Economic Development Element and Economic Opportunities Analysis, various background memos on buildable lands assumptions, a framework plan map and draft findings for the UGB expansion. Due to the very short review time frame and volume, department comments on these October 20 materials will be provided subsequent to your scheduled October 27, 2008 public hearing, and you should anticipate receiving at least one additional comment letter. The department submitted previous comments on the city's first UGB proposal to the joint planning commissions on July. 11, 2007. We have also submitted a letter on May 27, 2008 which responded to specific questions raised by city staff concerning certain application of UGB planning requirements. The department specifically requests that these prior letters be included in the record for this proceeding. Copies of those letters are attached to this letter. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF REVISED UGB PROPOSAL The following section summarizes our understanding of the revision and significant changes since the city's June 2007 notice was provided to the department. The 2007 proposal totaled 4,884 acres, including a proposed need of 2,550 acres for residential uses and 645 acres for employment land. The 2007 proposal also included approximately 1,690 acres which the city considered unsuitable for accommodating land needs for housing and employment. The current draft proposes adding 8,943 acres, including 3,005 acres for residential uses and 2,645 acres for employment land. The current proposal includes 3,293 acres which the city considers unsuitable for accommodating land needs for housing and employment and another 304 acres which it calls "surplus" land which can be developed for housing and employment. For the current revised proposal, the city projects a housing need of 16,681 additional dwelling units between 2008 and 2028. The city's housing needs analysis projects that 10,789 dwelling units can be accommodated within the current UGB, leaving 5,892 dwelling units that would need to be accommodated by a UGB expansion. The city has targeted a density of 5.9 dwelling units per acre (du/ac) for new residential UGB territory. The 2007 UGB proposal generally focused growth to the northeast side of the city and included significant amounts of resource land while not including significant amounts of exception land located to the northwest, west and south.2 The 2008 UGB proposal includes much of the area proposed in the 2007 expansion, along with most of the exception land located to the north, northwest and west, along 2 See ORS 197.298 regarding priority of lands to be included in a UGB expansion. City of Bend -3- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County with a portion in the south. A mix of exception and resource lands are added in east and southeast areas. A majority of the north Juniper Ridge area along with an area to the farthest northeast has been removed in the current proposal. DEPARTMENT COMMENTS The following sections provide both general and specific comments. Under our general comments, we have identified several important areas where documentation is either omitted, incomplete or needs to be subsequently reviewed. We recognize that, due to limited time for review, some of these comments are not explained completely, but we are prepared to work closely with the city and county to explain more fully the comments and how they might be addressed. October 3, 2008 staff memorandum to city and county planning commissions regarding UGB Alternative 4 The proposed UGB expansion is described as Alternative 4. Alternative 4 is based, in part, on special site needs for "a future university, major hospital/health care campus, two large-site industrial and mixed-employment centers, and an auto mall." At this point in time, it appears that the proposal doesn't include the land need analysis (including analysis of whether housing and employment land need can reasonably be accommodated within the existing UGB considering current zoning and additional efficiency measures), required by Goal 14, ORS 197.298, and OAR 660, Division 24. Comments on Specific Areas Considered for UGB Expansion According to the submittal, 476 acres of land must be added to the UGB because areas are unbuildable due to undocumented Goal 5 resources (299 acres), a need for a very low density residential buffer between urban and rural land in one particular area (29 acres), and no or limited infill capacity for lots in a large exception area (148 acres). The department believes the justification for these aspects of the proposal is insufficient. Nearly 300 acres of exception land in the Urban Area Reserve zone west of the existing UGB have been removed from consideration, apparently because of "topographical and natural features." The proposal does not demonstrate that these features are in the city's Goal 5 or Goal 7 inventories or how they are otherwise constrained. The proposal includes findings to reduce the capacity of these lands for future urban development in the absence of adoption and acknowledgment of a revised buildable land inventory in the comprehensive plan. The proposal includes a 29-acre "Low Density Residential Buffer" with housing at a density of two du/ac, along the west side of the existing UGB between Skyliners Road and Shevlin Park. The department suggests that this land does not satisfy a housing need and housing at this density is not urban, and therefore it should not be included inside the UGB. City of Bend -4- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County For much of the exception area to the east of the existing UGB proposed for inclusion in the boundary (148 acres), the findings assume there will be no division of parcels smaller than three acres, and a future development density of two dwellings per acre is assigned for the entire area. The city must address the development capacity of these existing smaller parcels and apply buildout targets in a manner that is consist with Goal 14 and promotion of an efficient urbanization pattern. Urbanizing resource land to help fund sewer and transportation facility improvements does not meet the city's burden under ORS 197.298(3) for Area C. Regarding Area D, the proposal doesn't include (1) an explanation of relevant physical site needs from an Employment Opportunities Analysis (EOA) for an industrial land need, or why commercial development has the same land need, and (2) findings on why sewer service must go through this area to serve exception areas. The findings do not establish that the 153 acres of resource land in Area E meet the statutory priorities. Both exception areas abutting Area E are adjacent to the existing UGB and would not be islands if Area E were added to the UGB, and the proposal doesn't demonstrate why sewer service must go through this area to serve exception areas. The EOA findings for one 50-acre targeted sector industry for Area F are missing, as are the need analysis and physical site need characteristic determinations for 49 acres of light industrial and 15 acres of commercial uses. The need for 29 acres of housing, and why that need can be satisfied only on in this area, are also missing. There's no indication what the remaining approximately 250 acres of Area F, which appears on the map to be about 400 acres, would be needed for, and why in this particular location. Prioritv of Land to be Included in the UGB Exception lands are first priority for Bend to add to its UGB under ORS 197.298, the standard for removing them from consideration is very high (see discussion later in these comments). The findings under "Justification for Inclusion of Resource Land" and "Advantages/Disadvantages" in the October 3 memorandum are not an adequate boundary location analysis under Goal 14, ORS 197.298, and OAR 660, Division 24. Instead, the analysis should substantially conform to the following process. First, determine which lands in the study area are the highest priority. In Bend's case, these are exception areas, including lands zoned as UAR, RR-10 and SR- 2.5. Determine which of these parcels satisfy the identified land need by analyzing each parcel according to specific site suitability characteristics for the intended use (i.e., residential, commercial or industrial), if such specific characteristics were identified in the earlier need analysis (for example, if the city's EOA identified special size, location and access characteristics necessary for regionally significant industrial sites). The result is a preliminary list of City of Bend -5- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County suitable highest priority parcels. If the preliminary list provides either the exact amount of land needed, or less than the amount of land needed, then add all of the exception land to the UGB. If the preliminary list provides more land than needed, then apply the four Boundary Location Factors in Goal 14 to each parcel to narrow down the list.3 Note that the city need not determine that a parcel or group of parcels satisfies each and every location factor better than all other alternative parcels. Rather, the considerations embodied in the factors are applied to each alternative parcel or group of parcels. The parcel or parcels that, on balance, best satisfy the factors should be selected (this is known as "weighing and balancing"). Locally adopted suitability criteria may be applied as "tie breakers" after the Goal 14 location factors are weighed and balanced. This provides a tentative list of highest priority parcels to add to the UGB. If the highest priority exception lands do not cover all of the land need, then the city examines the next priority group of parcels in the study area, which, for Bend, are low capability farm lands. The steps described for highest priority land are applied to each available parcel of lower-capability farm land, providing a tentative list of suitable parcels in this priority to add to the UGB. Only if the previous analyses do not provide enough land to meet all of the need does the city consider lower priority lands (i. e., the next set of higher capability farm and forest lands) and produce a tentative list of suitable parcels in this final priority to add to the UGB. If the city believes that one or more parcels in any priority category should be rejected in favor of land in a lower priority, then the findings must include an analysis consistent with one or more of the three exceptions in ORS 197.298(3),4 which we addressed in our s The UGB amendment proposal does not indicate that the city has "weighed and balanced" Goal 14 boundary location factor 2, "Orderly and economic provision of public facilities and services." The city's locational analysis should follow the following hierarchy. The highest ORS 197.298 priority of land to add to Bend's UGB is exception land, including land zoned Urban Area Reserve (UAR). Those parcels must be mapped and their acreage calculated. If the total acreage exceeds a 20-year land need (residential, employment, or other), then each of the four Goal 14 boundary location factors is applied to each exception parcel or group of parcels. For factor 2, this means an evaluation and comparison of the relative costs, advantages and disadvantages of each parcel or group of parcels consistent with OAR 660-024-0060(8). The results of the 660-024-0060(8) evaluation and comparison are then "weighed and balanced" with the results of applying the other three boundary location factors to the exception parcels, in order to select which exception parcels to add. Note that public facilities capability alone may not determine the location of a UGB amendment. 4 (3) Land of lower priority under subsection (1) of this section may be included in an urban growth boundary if land of higher priority is found to be inadequate to accommodate the amount of land estimated in subsection (1) of this section for one or more of the following reasons: (a) Specific types of identified land needs cannot be reasonably accommodated on higher priority lands; (b) Future urban services could not reasonably be provided to the higher priority lands due to topographical or other physical constraints; or City of Bend -6- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County May 27, 2008 letter and further address here. ORS 197.298(3) allows a city to remove higher priority parcels from consideration before the city determines the amount of suitable land in that priority. There is a high threshold to justify exclusion of higher priority land, such as exception lands (including UAR) and instead add lower priority lands, such as farmlands. For example, the fact that it may cost more to service one parcel than to service others does not (by itself) satisfy ORS 197.298(3)(b). Likewise, the fact that one parcel will yield fewer new homes or less development than others does not satisfy ORS 197.298(3)(c). LUBA and the courts have construed the ORS 197.298(3) exceptions narrowly to allow inclusion of lower priority lands at the exclusion of higher priority lands only in cases with compelling facts. The findings under "Justification for Inclusion of Resource Land" in the October 3 memorandum do not appear to adequately justify substituting resource land for suitable exception land under ORS 197.298(3). We don't see substantial evidence to support the claim that a large amount of resource land designated as Area B is needed to provide public facilities and services to a very small area of exception land along Pioneer Loop Road. Similarly, a small exception area appears to be included on the east side of Hamehook Road north of Butler Market Road by adding about 300-400 acres of resource land on both sides of Hamehook Road both north and south of Butler Market Road . (Area Q. Including these areas of resource land has not been adequately justified in light of the many acres of exception land not included in Alternative 4. The proposal doesn't include an adequate explanation regarding why some exception lands are proposed for addition and some are not. As explained above, all suitable exception lands (up to the amount of the land need) must be included. "Less suitable" exception lands may not be rejected in favor of "more suitable" exception lands - and resource lands. Proposed amendments to Bend Area General Plan Chapter 1 - Plan Management & Citizen Involvement Urban Reserve Boundary (p. 1-6) We suggest that you clarify the difference between the Urban Area Reserve zone outside Bend's city limits, which is an exception area, and a, Urban Reserve established under state administrative rules, which Bend and Deschutes County have not adopted. All references to "Urban Reserve" in this section should be replaced by "Urban Area Reserve zone." (c) Maximum efficiency of land uses within a proposed urban growth boundary requires inclusion of lower priority lands in order to include or to provide services to higher priority lands. City of Bend -7- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County Framework Planning (p. 1-9) The revised text provides for an overall minimum density for the expansion area of six dwelling units per net acre. This is a good start, but the plan should include an average density target, and not just for the expansion area, but for the urban area as a whole, in order to meet planned densities, meet the 20-year land needs, and comply with Goal 14 and ORS 197.296. Also, the chapter does not include policies or other implementing measures, including those that address the city's framework planning intentions and scope, or the allocation of needed housing types in the existing and proposed UGB areas. Joint Management Agreement (p. 1-9) The text states that a new agreement was drafted this year. Has it been adopted? If not, when do the city and county plan for adoption to take place? How does this document relate to the current UGB proposal? Chapter 2 - Natural Features and Open Space The proposal does not provide sufficient information about potential natural areas, scenic resources and topographically constrained areas and their potential impact on housing yield. Goal 5 requires cities to inventory significant riparian areas, wetlands and wildlife habitat, and develop a program to protect these resources. For some Goal 5 resources the rule allows cities to rely on inventories compiled by other agencies, and for other resources the city may elect to conduct an inventory. For all inventoried significant Goal 5 resources a local government must complete a process to develop and implement appropriate protection measures. If a local program to protect a Goal 5 resource includes development restrictions, the loss of buildable land that results from these restrictions can be accounted for when determining the need for UGB expansion. The requirements of Goal 5 apply at periodic review and when a post-acknowledgment plan amendment changes an acknowledged UGB, and factual information is submitted demonstrating that a resource site, or the impact areas of such a site, is included in the amended UGB area (OAR 660-023-0250). Thus Bend must inventory Goal 5 resources within the proposed expansion areas, including riparian and wetland resources that may be associated with the Deschutes River. The October 3, 2008 memo describes topological features and natural features that are considered areas of special interest. It is not clear if these features are Goal 5 resources. Based on the description, the most likely Goal 5 resource category for the areas of special interest is scenic areas. Depending on the ecological function of these areas and the city's intended management approach, these areas might also be considered open space or wildlife habitat. Goal 5 also includes a category of natural areas, but this is an example of where the rule relies on a specific existing inventory compiled by a state authority. Below are the Goal 5 definitions for these four resource types: City of Bend -8- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County Open Space: For purposes of this rule, "open space" includes parks, forests, wildlife preserves, nature reservations or sanctuaries, and public or private golf courses (660-023- 0220). Scenic Views and Sites: For purposes of this rule, "scenic. views and sites" are lands that are valued for their aesthetic appearance (660-023-0230). Wildlife Habitat: "Wildlife habitat" is an area upon which wildlife depend in order to meet their requirements for food, water, shelter, and reproduction. Examples include wildlife migration corridors, big game winter range, and nesting and roosting sites (660- 023-0110). Natural Areas: For purposes of this rule, "natural. areas" are areas listed in the Oregon State Register of Natural Heritage Resources (660-023-0160). For resources that are not required to be inventoried and protected under Goal 5, the city may want to consider other strategies for their protection. Some strategies that can be used separately from Goal 5 are recognized on Page 2.6 of the Bend Area General Plan. These strategies include: flexible subdivision lot and street standards; clustering options; appropriate minimum density standards for constrained land; density credits, flexible setbacks, lot coverage, and parking standards. Resources that are protected, over time, through acquisition programs can be accounted for in subsequent adjustments to the city's buildable land inventories. Chapter 5 - Housing and Residential Lands The 2008 Buildable Lands Inventory (BLI) is not included in the materials submitted to the department; the proposal includes only a summary. The department is unable to complete its review of the proposal without the data and assumptions for the BLI. This information may be continued in the city's October 20`x' submittal. On p. 5-22, the revised General Plan introduces its 2028 population projection, which is extended from the county's acknowledged 2025 projection. The UGB proposal should include a discussion of the methodology used to extend the coordinated forecast beyond the county's acknowledged forecast consistent with ORS 195.034 and the Goal 14 rule. We will be reviewing the materials submitted on October 20th to assure that the city's population projection methodology meets planning requirements. There is a discussion of Bend's housing affordability issues5, but almost no regulatory measures exist or are proposed. Measures should be included to: (1) reverse the 1990- 2000 increase in the proportion of single-family housing, particularly single-family detached, and increase the proportion of multi-family units in the city's housing mix (see p. 5-7), (2) reverse the 1990-2000 increase in owner-occupied units compared to renter- 'For example, Table 5-11 on p. 5-15 shows that in 2003, an average of 63% of households at 80% or less of the average median income were cost-burdened. City of Bend -9- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County occupied units (see p. 5-11), and (3) increase the built densities to accommodate and encourage more units and more affordable units (see p. 5-10). The Suburban Residential SR 2.5 zone is not appropriate as an urban holding zone in the urbanizable area outside the city limits but inside the UGB, because the parcel size renders it difficult to preserve land for future urban-level development (p. 5-8). The city should amend the SR 2.5 zone to permit pre-existing residential development only and prohibit the expansion of existing structures. The best practice for "interim development" for land inside the UGB prior to annexation and urbanization, in order to "manage the use and division of urbanizable land to maintain its potential for planned urban development" and the efficient provision of the full range of urban services,6 is a holding zone with minimum lot size of at least 10 acres, at an overall density of no more than one dwelling per 10 acres, with siting standards to avoid future conflicts, and with recorded covenants barring additional development, remonstrance against annexation and remonstrance against extension of public facilities.7 The planned density range for the Residential Low Density RL zone is too low at 1.1 to 2.2 units per gross acre. A 20,000 square foot - one-half acre - minimum lot size encourages inefficient urban development. The Residential Standard Density zone should be the lowest density residential zone in the city. The minimum lot sizes and maximum density for the Residential Standard Density zone are good, but the minimum density of 2.2 units per gross acre (0.5-acre lots) is neither appropriate nor conducive to fostering efficient urbanization. Because this has been the predominate residential zone, and the city plans to continue that predominance, build-out may occur at the minimum end of the range, inappropriately using more of the residential land supply, increasing per capita public facilities costs and hastening the need to expand the UGB again, primarily from resource lands. The assumptions and methodologies used to calculate the amounts of constrained and redevelopable land are missing in the October 8 submittal (p. 5-9). Table 5-6, "Actual Density and Mix of Housing Types" (p. 5-10), doesn't indicate whether the acreage is gross or net. Either way, current built densities (an average of 3.17 du/ac for the 80 percent of residential land that is zoned single-family, with an overall average of only 3.96 du/ac) are an inefficient use of urban land in a regional center with a severe housing affordability problem. It is admirable that the city attempts to achieve a higher average in the expansion area, but this will not demonstrate the efficient use of land inside the existing UGB that Goal 14 requires before the city may add land to the UGB. 6 Statewide Planning Goal 14: Urbanization. 7 Interim Development Policies and Incentives, by Winterowd Planning Services for the Oregon Transportation and Growth Management Program, June, 1995, pp. 6 and 12. These standards don't apply if local regulations already assure either a 10-acre minimum lot size, or a 5-acre minimum lot size with redivision plan or clustering requirements. City of Bend -10- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County The original June 11, 2007 submittal subsequently included a July 23, 2007 Residential Lands Study. This document includes findings comparing the planned densities in the city's 1998 General Plan with the actual built densities for the period 1998-2005. The study finds a significant amount of underbuild: Available residential land has actually been consumed much faster than anticipated because detached single-family units have made up a larger percentage of overall units than estimated in the 1998 plan. Clearly, the development market has delivered a very different housing mix than was anticipated in the 1998 General Plan." The disconnect between some aspects of the local economy and the local housing market creates a situation in which housing providers have less of an incentive to build housing for local workers [than to build expensive second homes for non-residents]. (p. 10, 26-27.) Bend appears to have failed to achieve the housing mix it planned for in 1998. The current submittal does not demonstrate compliance with Goal 14 by showing that the city will develop efficiently inside its existing UGB. This section needs to demonstrate how Bend will implement its housing policies in the next 20 years to get the planned mix. Goal 14 and ORS 197.296 require taking reasonable measures to accommodate the city's current and future housing needs within the existing UGB, which includes measures like infill, redevelopment, re-zoning and up-zoning. The revised plan mentions two concepts - 500 attached units in the Central Area Plan, and 500 units of attached housing along transit corridors - but doesn't explain how those concepts will be implemented or how they will provide needed housing types, numbers, and densities. The 2007 Residential Lands Study states that certain master planned developments8 and the new development code adopted in 2006 increased the average density inside the UGB, but it doesn't explain how. There is also no .explanation about why these efficiency measures haven't provided a higher average density than 3.94 units per acre, or how they are going to do so in the 20-year planning period. There is no explanation how inadequate land supply "forced" developers to build luxury townhomes instead of affordable apartments and condos. In light of the long-term trend of development being lower than planned densities, and the current and future demographic and housing trends documented in the UGB proposal, the department doesn't find adequate justification to support the city's assumption that "most vacant and redevelopable land will be available and developed at current densities" (see revised General Plan, pp. 5-23, 5-29). The reasons cited in the revised plan text do 8 Lava Ridge, Northwest Crossing, Dean Swift, and Murphy Crossing. City of Bend -11- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County not fully address goal and statutory requirements for increasing the efficiency of urban development.9 There is no indication whether the planned densities in Table 5-28, Table 5-29 and corresponding text are gross or net, which makes them difficult to evaluate. A footnote on p. 5-10 refers to a March 10, 2008 memorandum that is not included with the other documents. The city intends to locate new medium- and high-density housing in new commercial nodes and transit corridors. However, there is no explanation of how this need can and will be accommodated in these locations, or how the proposed transit corridor redevelopment will significantly increase residential densities in the urban area overall. The standard to support basic 30 to 60 minute fixed-route transit service is 8 du/net acre or 6 du/gross acre for housing and 20 jobs/acre for employment. 10 In addition, restricting the RM and RH zones to transit corridors and new commercial nodes appears to prohibit any housing other than low density single-family detached housing from other neighborhoods. Without either a minimum density or average density performance standard in the development code, and a predominate RS zone with a 7,500 square-foot minimum lot size and no maximum lot size, the city has not shown that planned densities will occur in the next 20 years. As a city with a population over 25,000, Bend is required to conduct its buildable land inventory and residential land need analysis consistent with ORS 197.296. The 2007 Residential Land Study cites the ORS 197.296(9) examples of measures that "demonstrably increase the likelihood of higher density residential development," but the UGB proposal does not provide for implementation of many of these measures. For example, "the City has a shortage of land in the higher density zones" (7-23-07 Residential Lands Study, pp. 34-35), but the UGB evaluation doesn't include re-zoning or up-zoning some of the 83% vacant and redevelopable land in the RS zone. 9 "City staff is not recommending any changes to the allowed densities in the residential districts for two reasons. First, the Buildable Lands Inventory report [which is not included with the October 8 submittal] shows recent development (1999 through 2008) achieving higher densities than development that occurred before that time (before 1999)." This ignores the fact, cited in the city's 2007 Residential Lands Study, that from 1998 to 2005, built densities were much lower than the densities in the General Plan; in other words, densities may have increased some amount, but they did not significantly change a large historic underbuild. "Second, the city adopted a new development code in 2006 that includes required minimum densities. The City Council chose not to increase densities with the adoption of the new development code." The department strongly supports adoption of minimum residential densities, but that alone is not enough for the city to meet its future housing needs in compliance with both Goal 10 and Goal 14. (See revised plan, p. 5-29.) 10 Planning and Design for Transit by Calthorpe Associates, pp 17-18, November 1992; Pedestrian- and Transit-Friendly Design: A Primer for Smart Growth by Reid Ewing, page 3; Fregonese-Calthorpe Associates and Parsons Brinkerhoff, Oregon Transportation and Growth Management Program workshop on implications of urban form, September 2000. City of Bend -12- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County The housing that is proposed for the city-owned Juniper Ridge area does not appear to be included in the residential land need analysis (7-23-07 Residential Lands Study, p. 59.). If the city can justify a need for this housing, it must be included in the city's 20-year residential land supply. In addition, the city must identify special physical site need characteristics that require this housing to be in this specific location (see Goal 14 and OAR 660-024-0060(5)). This has not been done, at least in the October 8 submittal. The housing mix for the 20-year planning period employed in the draft plan amendment is not adequately explained. For much of its land need analysis, the city has used the Oregon Dept. of Housing and Community Services' Housing Needs Model, which provides a tenure mix of 55% owner-occupied/45% renter-occupied. The city appears to bypass the model's mix and instead selects a 65/35 mix (p. 5-27) without apparent justification. In addition to the lack of facts supporting the city's choice of mix numbers, it's not clear what type of mix has been selected and used in the rest of the city's residential land need analysis. The text on p. 5-27 describes a 65/35 tenure mix, but the text on p. 5-28 and Tables 5-25 and 5-26 show a 65/35 detached v. attached mix. In addition, the text mentions a current 720/o/28% detached/attached mix, but Table 5-25 shows a 76/24 detached/attached mix for 2008. At this time, we are unable to evaluate a future housing mix, for either the existing or new UGB areas. As briefly mentioned above, the city relies on UGB capacity to reasonably accommodate its 20-year need that has been calculated using existing plan and zoning provisions. Bend has not recalculated capacity within the existing UGB based on regulatory efficiency measures. This must be done before land may be added to the UGB (ORS 197.296(7)). The following proposed plan policies are good ones, but how and when the city will implement them in the development code is not clear: Goal 1: Zone Adequate Land for Housing a.. Encourage or require a mix of housing types and densities within proposed large residential and mixed use developments. b. Implement strategies to allow for infill and redevelopment at increased densities. c. Limit single-family detached housing in multiple family or mixed use zones. We suggest that these policies be clarified and provided in an overall context that appears as a series of integrated framework planning policies throughout the city. This is a critically missing component in the city's revised submittal. All but one (no. 17) of the 19 policies for needed housing are non-regulatory. While the non-regulatory strategies listed are good ones, there are a number of regulatory measures that Bend can - and should - take to encourage the development of more needed housing. City of Bend -13- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County The 2007 Residential Land Study included eight good policies that have apparently been dropped. 11 We don't understand the meaning of the Housing Density and Affordability Policy 36: "Densities recommended on the Plan shall be recognized in order to maintain proper relationships between proposed public facilities and services and population distribution." This policy should be clear and unambiguous. Appendix: August 2008 Housing Element Targets, Strategies and Benchmarks Goal 1, Strategy B: Consideration of rezoning to achieve consistency with the city's residential land need analysis should not be limited to areas where zoning doesn't conform to General Plan designations. Goal 2, Strategy A: Because Bend doesn't have "urban reserve lands," this term should be revised to "Exception lands, including land in the Urban Area Reserve zone." Chapter 7 - Transportation System In July 2007 we made several comments about how proposed UGB and Transportation System Plan (TSP) amendments relate to relevant requirements in the Transportation Planning Rule (TPR). While significant progress has been made in addressing these comments, some additional work is needed as explained below. A. Status of Proposed Roadway Improvements outside the UGB and future sLi issues. In our July 2007 letter we noted that the proposed TSP amendments showed several roadway improvements outside of the proposed UGB. We noted that such road improvements would require additional findings to comply with the TPR. The 2008 TSP amendments appear to continue to show a number of planned roadways outside the proposed UGB. These include several collector and minor arterial streets along the eastern edge of the UGB. While the city's August 20, 2007 letter indicates that these were included for "illustrative purposes," the TSP does not appear to distinguish its treatment of improvements in and outside the boundary. For example, proposed roadway improvements outside the UGB are colored and keyed in the same way as those inside the UGB. Also the map key indicates that improvements are planned subject only to 11 These policies are: 1. Rezone parcels to allow higher density and redevelopment. 2. Zoning to meet housing needs as part of the UGB expansion. 3. Amend the MF and MU zones to prohibit single-family detached or require a CUP for them. 4. Rezone some low density residential areas to medium and high density residential. 5. Provide a density bonus for a percentage of affordable units. 6. Development standard flexibility for affordable units. 7. Relaxed parking requirements for affordable units. 8. Code changes to facilitate affordable housing for moderate income households. City of Bend -14- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County possible minor revisions to roadway alignment. The city needs to either amend the TSP map to clearly reflect its decision that roadways outside the proposed UGB are "illustrative" and not planned improvements, or amend the findings to address relevant TPR requirements. The TSPs decision about a proposed Deschutes River Crossing needs to be clarified. While this improvement is included in the plan's list of "outstanding issues," the text of the plan suggests that the city has made key land use decisions about need, mode, function and general location of this planned improvement. In particular Section 9.6.3 says: [the circulation plan] contemplates a new bridge over the Deschutes River. This new bridge would join an extension of Skyline Ranch Road, on the west side, to an extension of Cooley Road on the east side. The exact location and alignment of the affected roadways and the bridge crossing is the subject of further study and evaluation. If the city is making a decision that this roadway and bridge are planned facilities subject only to subsequent decisions about selecting a precise alignment, the plan needs to . (1) address the relevant goals, including Goal 5, (2) establish an overall corridor within which the roadway may be located; and (3) specify the process and standards by which a subsequent decision selecting an alignment for the roadway and bridge will be made. The TSP amendments also include discussion of additional plans for Highway 97 and 20 including a Highway 97/20 Refinement Plan and an EIS. The discussion in this section should be clearer about the status of land use decisions for possible highway and roadway improvements. We understand the plan to identify ongoing planning processes that do not yet make decisions about need, mode, function or general location of proposed facilities or improvements and that these decisions would be made through subsequent amendments to the city's TSP. We recommend that section 9.6.4 be amended to so indicate. We also recommend adding language indicating that the city would use these processes to generate information to support necessary land use decisions, including plan amendments and, as necessary, goal exceptions for new roadways outside the UGB. We are concerned that the city's process for evaluating transportation costs associated with different UGB expansion alternatives is not complete or detailed enough to address the requirements of OAR 660-024-0060(8). The city's overall conclusion is that the set of major roadway improvements needed will be the same regardless of which properties are included in the UGB. In particular, the analysis concludes that two high cost improvements (improvements in the north area of Bend associated with Highway 97 and 20 and a new crossing of the Deschutes River) will be needed in any UGB expansion scenario. The Highway 97/20 area improvements are estimated to cost up to $185 million and represent about 2/3 of the total cost of transportation improvements associated with the UGB expansion. The cost of a new Deschutes River Bridge does not City of Bend -15- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County appear to be included in the analysis. Further analysis is needed to explain why UGB alternatives that would focus growth in other areas of Bend (i.e., to the east) would reduce the need for major improvements in the north and northwest areas. In short, the city should do more to explain why reduced growth in the north and northwest areas would not reduce the extent of needed transportation improvements in this area. Since this expansion in this area has major effects on the state highway system, this evaluation should be done in close coordination with ODOT. B. Requirements for Transportation Framework Plans and local street connections Above, we've indicated the need for the city to more clearly lay out process and requirements for framework planning within areas added to the UGB. This issue is also important as it relates to transportation planning, especially as it relates to planning for local street extensions and connections. TSP implementation policies 2 and 5 call for development of transportation framework plans to guide local street planning in urbanizable areas. While the city's August 2007 letter agreed more work was needed, the policies in the 2008 proposal appear unchanged from the 2007 draft. Again, policies should explain what actions require framework plans, the contents of such plans and list relevant policies or requirements that must be addressed. We support the city's policies which generally encourage or direct extension of a grid like network of local streets. These need to be spelled out in more detail in implementing language guiding framework planning. We are concerned by the city's apparent decision to drop decisions about extending or connecting existing local streets from the TSP map in favor of "standards only" approach. In our experience, a map which decides in advance which existing local streets will be extended and connected is the most effective way to make sure that connections are actually made as new development is approved. Using a "standards only" approach tends to defeat the objective of street connectivity by inviting neighboring and nearby property owners to oppose individual street connections as new development proposals are made. While the "standards only" approach can satisfy TPR requirements, the process and standards need work to fully comply. City policies should be amended to. 1. Include standards to guide extension or connection of existing streets; 2. Set maximum block perimeter requirements that reflect plan diagrams which call for 300- to 600-foot street spacing. (City policies set only a maximum block length requirement of 600 feet. This would allow blocks with a 2400-foot perimeter, almost one-half mile, which is excessive.) We recommend the city adopt a maximum block perimeter of 1400 to 1800 feet; City of Bend -16- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County 3. Standards for allowing exceptions for topographic constraints or other factors should be revised to be consistent with the specific language set forth in TPR Section 0045(3); 4. Policies and standards to guide preparation of framework plans and other development approvals should to assure that adequate local street connections are provided consistent with TPR Section 0045(3). C Clarify the relationship between the Bend Urban Area Transportation System Plan and the forthcoming Bend Area Regional Transportation Plan In our July 2007 comments we recommended that the city clarify the relationship of proposed TSP amendments to the city's obligations to prepare and adopt a regional transportation system plan (RTSP) in compliance with the TPR. Of particular note are TPR requirements to plan for reduced reliance on the automobile. Because land use strategies play an important role in accomplishing this objective, this work should be integrated with the city's consideration of UGB amendments. The city's Goal 12 findings indicate that adoption of an RTSP remains an outstanding task that the city expects to adopt by the end of 2009. Since this extends beyond the deadline in the TPR, the city needs to develop and submit a work plan to the Commission for completion of this work. We also recommend that the city revise or delete the finding related to TPR Section 0035(4). This section of the rule relates to adoption of measures to implement an adopted, Commission approved standard (required of 0035(5)-(6)). As noted above, work related to these requirements remain as an outstanding work task. Chapter 8 - Public Facilities & Services OAR 660, Division 11 requires certain elements of a community's public facilities plan to be adopted as part of the comprehensive plan. 12 The revised Chapter 8 does not contain the required elements. In particular, we do not see any revised plans for water or wastewater collection facilities and services. Proposed amendments to Bend Municipal Code Title 19 Ch 19.04 Definitions "Lot of record": Including a minimum lot size and lot width in the definition effectively prohibits development of some vacant parcels and lots that may be suitable for development, thereby reducing the buildable land. Many Oregon communities allow 12 The list of public facility project titles, a map or written description of the projects' locations or service areas, and the policy(ies) or urban growth management agreement designating the provider of each system (OAR 660-011-0045(1)). City of Bend -17- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County residential development of legally created, currently substandard parcels and lots so long as the development can meet current site development standards, such as setbacks, parking, and landscaping. This assists compliance with Goal 14's requirement to develop efficiently within the existing UGB before adding land to the UGB. Bend's definition is also inconsistent with standards elsewhere in its code, since new lots smaller than 5,000 square feet are allowed in at least one residential zone. Ch 19.13 Urban Holding-10 Zone The recommended practice for "interim development" for land inside the UGB prior to annexation and urbanization, in order to "manage the use and division of urbanizable land to maintain its potential for planned urban development' 'and the efficient provision of the full range of urban services," is a holding zone with a minimum lot size of at least 10 acres or more, at an overall density of no more than one dwelling per 10 acres. Such a zone should have siting standards to avoid future conflicts, and require covenants barring additional development until the property is annexed and rezoned, remonstrance against annexation and remonstrance against extension of public facilities. 14 Allowing new lots as small as 15,000 square feet defeats the purpose of an urban holding zone. Ch 19.14 Urban Holding-2 1/2 Zone This zone allows new lots as small as 15,000 square feet, which, as explained above for the UH-10 zone, is not consistent with an urban holding zone. Chapter 19.25 Site Plan Review Mandating site plan review with subjective approval criteria15 for all housing except single family units on one lot appears to conflict with the needed housing statutes, particularly ORS 197.307(6). This statute prohibits approval standards, special conditions, and procedures for needed housing from (1) being subjective and (2) from having the effect of discouraging needed housing "through unreasonable cost or delay." The clear and objective standards in Section 19.25.075 (assuming they do not have the effect of discouraging needed housing through unreasonable cost or delay) do not cure the problem, because the 19.25.075 standards apply "in addition to the standards of DCC 19.25.070" (19.25.075 A) (emphasis added). Chapter 19.40 Special Use Standards Statute requires cities and counties to allow manufactured homes on lots in all zones that permit single-family homes, and with the same development standards and criteria 13 Statewide Planning Goal 14: Urbanization. 14 Interim Development Policies and Incentives, by Winterowd Planning Services for the Oregon Transportation and Growth Management Program, June, 1995, pp. 6 and 12. These standards don't apply if local regulations already assure either a 10-acre minimum lot size, or a 5-acre minimum lot size with redivision plan or clustering requirements. 15 For example, Section 19.25.070, subsections A, D, E, G, and H. City of Bend -18- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County provided for stick-built single-family homes except for specific placement standards specified in statute (ORS 197.307(5), 197.314(1)). In addition, approval standards and criteria for needed housing may not have the effect of discouraging needed housing through cost or delay (ORS 197.3907(6)). Requiring needed housing to go through a conditional use process when other housing is permitted outright appears to be inconsistent with the needed housing statutes. Bend permits single-family housing outright in the Urban Area Reserve UAR, Suburban Residential 2 %2, Low Density Residential RL, Standard Density Residential RS, Medium Density Residential RM-10, and Medium Density Residential RM zones. This means that manufactured homes on their own lots must also be permitted outright in these zones - and with no more restrictive approval standards and conditions than those applicable to stick-built homes. However, Bend Code Section 19.40.280 C. La. restricts "Class A" homes to the UAR-10, UH-10 and UH-2 % zones, all of which are outside Bend's UGB. Section 19.40.280 C. Lb. restricts Class B" homes to the RS zone by conditional use permit, and Sections 19.40.280 C.l.c. & d. restrict "Class C" and "Class D" homes to manufactured home parks. Thus, no manufactured homes on their own lots are permitted in SR 2'/2, RL, RM, and RM-10, and they are subject to a conditional use permit in RS. Chapter 19.60 Cluster Developments This chapter sets out subdivision clustering standards for the UH-10 and UH-2 %2 zones. It allows lots in the range of 15,000 square feet to one-half acre (21,780 square feet). As explained regarding the UH-10 and UH-2'/Z zones above, these lot sizes are too small for an urban holding zone. All of the Section 19.60.050 Standards for Approval are subjective and may therefore violate the needed housing statutes. CONCLUSIONS We appreciate the extensive amount of work that the City of Bend and Deschutes County have put into this effort, and the careful consideration of the Planning Commission. We will continue to work with you to help identify and resolve concerns, and to try and answer any questions you may have. We anticipate forwarding additional preliminary comments after our review of materials sent earlier this week on October 20 . If the October 20`h submittal adequately responds to concerns found in this letter, we will inform you of this in our subsequent comments. Please place this letter and attachments in the record of proceedings concerning this matter. Please inform and provide the department with any pertinent new information concerning this proposed plan amendment. Please provide the department notice of any hearing continuation(s) that is related to this proposal. City of Bend -19- October 24, 2008 Deschutes County If you have questions about our preliminary comments, do not hesitate to contact Mark Radabaugh at (541) 318-2899. If you have specific questions about issues related to Goals 10 and 14, please contact Gloria Gardiner in our Salem office at (503) 373-0050 ext. 282. If you have specific questions about issues related to Goal 12 and transportation, please contact Bob Cortright in our Salem office at (503) 373-0050 ext. 241. Sincerely, Richard Whitman Director Enclosures: 1. July 11, 2007 letter from the department 2. May 27, 2008 letter from the department (a copy of this attachment will be forwarded early next week from the department) c: Mel Oberst, Bend Community Development Director Brian Shetterly, Bend Principal Planner - Long Range Peter Gutowsky, Deschutes County Principal Planner Mark DeVoney, ODOT - Region 4 Bob Cortright, DLCD Gloria Gardiner, DLCD Rob Hallyburton, DLCD Tom Hogue, DLCD Darren Nichols, DLCD Amanda Punton, DLCD Mark Radabaugh, DLCD Uregon Department of Land Conservation and Development Central and Eastern Region Office 888 N.W. Hill Street, Suite 3 Theodore R. Wongoski., Govemor Bend, OR 97701 (541) 318-2899 FAX (541) 318-8361 July 11, 2007 By Facsimile (541) 388-5519 and (541) 385-1764 & First Class Mail Damian Syrnyk Senior Planner Bend Community Development Department 710 NW Wall Street Bend, Oregon 97701 Peter Gutowsky Senior Planner Deschutes County Community Development Department 117 NW Lafayette Street Bend, Oregon 97701 Subject. Bend Urban Reserve and related amendments (14,775 acres) Bend Urban Growth Boundary expansion and related amendments (4,884 acres) Local files: TA-07-04, PA-07-3; State file: Deschutes County PAPA 012-07 (Bend Urban Reserve) Local file: None; State file: Bend PAPA 010-07 (Bend Urban Growth Boundary) Dear Damian and Peter: Thank you for providing the department with the opportunity to provide its review and comments on proposals to 1) create an urban reserve for the City of Bend and 2) expand the urban growth boundary. These proposals, along with respective supporting plan amendments and background documents, have been submitted jointly by the city and Deschutes County to the department for its review pursuant to ORS. 197.610, Since both proposals include more than 50 acres of territory, they will also be subsequently reviewed pursuant to the State of Oregon's periodic review procedures, following their co-adoption by City of Bend and Deschutes County. At that time, the city should submit the co-adopted plans following procedures called out in OAR 660-025-0175. The following pages provide both general and more specific comments. Under our general comments, we have identified several important areas where documentation required by state planning law is either omitted, incomplete or needs to be significantly amended. Generally, these areas involve application of Goal 14 (Urbanization) and portions of its implementing rule (OAR 660-024) that relate to the urban growth boundary proposal. Also, we have discovered a significant accounting error in calculating the urban reserve land needs that will lower the land needed for the urban reserve, as well as affecting its alternative location analysis pursuant to Goal 14. For this reason, these comments must be considered provisional and it is anticipated that follow-up comments will be provided after subsequent review by the department. The department would look forward to meeting with city and county staff and its review bodies, as needed, to discuss continuing or remaining issues during your review process. General Comments: The following are out general comments: 1. Areas found to be incomplete The plan amendment submittal is incomplete in a number of ways. Additional documentation and plan preparation needs to be provided concerning the following: A. The city should carefully evaluate how each of the Goal 14 rule (OAR 660-024) components are met as a result of the plan amendment submittal and its background and support documents. In particular, the city will need to submit a "boundary location alternatives analysis" pursuant to OAR 660-024-0060 which describes how it made choices in determining its UGB proposal. B. The UGB proposal includesa framework plan map which has identified a number of important land use plan features that appear consistent with its residential land needs analysis and major policies on urban form. The framework plan map constitutes a general pattern of planned residential uses that together, act as land use designation mapping that is required under OAR 660-024-0050(5) for the area of the UGB expansion. The mapping may be general or simulate a "bubble" diagram, as long as the map shows land uses consistent with the city's needs analysis. However, the framework plan does not show similar land use designations for commercial and industrial lands that are part of the UGB needs analysis. This issue is particularly noticeable in the Juniper Ridge area, where the city's needs analysis appears to direct most, if not all of its commercial and industrial lands expansion. The framework plan map will need to be amended to include the general location of new and amended employment lands. C. Under OAR 660-024-0020(c), Goal 5 (Natural Resources, Scenic and Historic Areas, and Open Space) and related rules under OAR 660, division 23, Goal 5 applies to areas added to the UGB, except as required under OAR 660-023-0070 and 660-023-0250. This Goal 5 assessment does not appear in the materials submitted to the department. D. In Table 6 of the urban reserve analysis, land needs are supposedly calculated for the period from 2027 to 2057, the 30-year urban reserve time frame. However, it appears that the city's 2005 - 2027 need for residential land has been also included in the 2027 - 2057 timeframe, thus leading to a double count of the land needs for the earlier UGB time frame. This accounting error will have the effect of significantly reducing the amount of land needed for 2 the urban reserve. It will also require that the alternative location analysis be redone to reflect the corrected land need. 2. Urban Reserve i The above accounting and analytical concerns will need to be resolved before the urban reserve can be adopted. The discussion of environmental, energy, economic and social (ESEE) consequences of the adopting the urban reserve should be expanded to acknowledged that it will act to accommodate urban development over the long-term. Generally, while urban development has considerable ESEE consequences which should be generally described, advance planning with the urban reserve tool in hand can act, in part, to mitigate some of the more adverse impacts associated with urban development, while others are not fully mitigated. The discussion starting on Page 45 should be amended to recognized these general consequences and impact that are associated with the accommodation of urban development. 3. Urban Growth Boundary There is considerable concern that the draft UGB expansion of 4,884 acres is not supported by documentation found in 'the needs analysis for housing and economic development lands. In the city's Residential Land Measures analysis dated May 2, 2007, 2,550 gross acres are identified for residential land needs. The city's Economic Opportunity Analysis dated April, 2007 has identified a net commercial land need of approximately 510 acres, along with a slight surplus of industrial land. Without the city's Goal 14 boundary location alternative analysis in hand, it is impossible to meaningful assess how the city arrives at an UGB proposal of 4,884 acres. 4. Framework Plan Policies that support and guide implementation of the city's Framework Plan are found in Exhibit F - Amendments to General Plan Chapter 1: Plan Management and Citizen Involvement. We have already made comments regarding the need to designate employment lands in Figure 1-3 (Framework Plan Map). Policy 20.c. on Page 1-12 (General Plan Chapter 1) does little to assure that the city will gain the needed housing mix at the time of annexation. The city currently has a significant shortage of multi-family housing, and needs to advance policies and planning strategies that will close the multi-family gap in early years of the planning period, if it is to have any hope of gaining on the city's severe housing affordability problem. In the department's June 1, 2006 comments on the city's draft Development Code, we provided the following observation: Since 1990, we have seen Bend's housing tenure change dramatically, along with increasing rates of unaffordability for households who work in Bend. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, Bend's tenure split between owners and renters was approximately 55% to 45%, which is very close to what the state's Housing and Land Use Model would project for a community of Bend's size if it was in housing price-salary/wage 3 equilibrium. By 2000, the U.S Census found that Bend's tenure split had dramatically moved away from equilibrium to approximately 64% owner and 36% renter. This suggests that not enough affordable owner and renter housing was being built, and suggests a strong trend of increased non-residents in the Bend workforce, as these households either choose or were financially forced to move to lower cost housing locations. Framework planning policies on Page 1-12, that govern the mix of housing in the expansion area provide some guidance towards housing mix, but we do not yet see how they will achieve a solution for both the city's current shortfall in multi-family housing and then meet the 20-year target that restores the city owner-renter mix closer to the city's 1990 level. The city's Housing Element has project a 56% owner and 44% renter mix by 2027.1 The city should specifically test draft Policies 24 and 25 to confirm that they will promote the housing types that are projected in the city's 20-year housing needs analysis. If they do not promote an adequate amount of needed housing, then these policies will need to be amended and/or supported by additional housing (including measures) and framework policies. This is an important exercise, given that over 72% of the city's residential units were single-family as of mid 2005, at the same time overall residential density in Bend was a very low 3.96 units per acre. 5. Housing The city draft Housing Element proves an analysis of housing needs that utilizes the state's housing model. Table 5-20, when compared with Table 5-21, shows the extent of the city's housing own-renter shortfall which is manifest by failure to build enough affordable housing, and particularly multi-family housing, as discussed above. Generally, policies found at the end of the draft Housing Element provide a good basis and framework for many city actions that must be taken to encourage building of housing types that are affordable to more 'of the Bend workforce. However, as noted above in our discussion about projected performance of certain Framework Plan housing policies, more work needs to be done to develop a land use and policy strategy that addresses how current housing type shortfalls (muli- family and other smaller, affordable units) can be promoted early on during the planning period so Bend can begin to restore a more balanced housing mix. 6. Economic Development The city has designated Juniper Ridge as a future industrial site and has developed a master plan to guide its development. The city has a vision, Bend 2030, a MOU with a developer and an EOA to support their plan. But, because Juniper Ridge is the only place where the city appears to have decided to designate needed industrial land, it will be important to assure that the land is still available for industrial uses when it comes time for development. Unless the city takes clear and direct measures to protect its Juniper Ridge industrial land base, there will be continuous pressure to covert the land to other uses. Since the City owns Juniper Ridge, it is in a position to hold it and strategically develop it over time. 1 The city's 560/o-44% owner-renter mix target is consistent with the OHCS Housing Model and would provide a significant boost to restoring a more affordable setting for Bend housing. 4 To ensure this Juniper Ridge land remains planned for needed industrial uses, the department encourages the city to protect it by any of the following ways: • Retain ownership (lease options); • Create an industrial sanctuary ; • Create buffers zones to prevent encroachment ; • Limit the size of allowable retail, particularly large trip generators; • Establish lot size minimums; • Urban Renewal designation. 7. Public Facilities 8. Transportation Generally, the city needs to do more work and coordination with MOT to compare costs, advantages and disadvantages of Juniper Ridge with other areas that the city is considering adding to the UGB. The city's analysis does not draw a very complete picture of the difference in adding Juniper Ridge versus others. (See 8.F., below). The following transportation issues remain to be resolved before adoption of the city's UGB expansion: A. Clarify the relationship between the Bend Urban Area Transportation System Plan (TSP) and the forthcoming Bend Area Regional Transportation Plan. The proposed plan includes conflicting findings about compliance with TPR requirements that apply to MPO areas. In most situations the city appears to be deferring application of TPR metropolitan planning requirements until the Bend MPO creates a regional transportation plan. However, in several places the city makes findings that it is in compliance with or has met specific TPR requirements that apply to MPO areas. (For example, findings addressing OAR 660-012-0035 suggest that the city meets the requirements for MPO areas to promote alternative modes of travel because the plan is likely to reduce vehicle miles travelled (VMT) per capita over the planning period and because the plan requires "bicycle and pedestrian facilities on all new. collector and arterial streets".). In general we understand that the city has not yet modified its TSP to respond to the requirements applicable to metropolitan areas. Recommendation: Revise findings to clearly defer application of TPR metropolitan planning requirements following adoption of the MPO plan. The TPR deadline for adoption of a TSP should be noted. The city should add policy language to support its finding that the city is committed to updating its TSP to address relevant requirements for metropolitan areas within one year of the regional transportation plan adoption, currently scheduled for December 2007. To the extent possible, the city should incorporate actions which either support or will be necessary to comply with TPR. B. Clarify status of proposed roadway improvements outside of the UGB and future study issues. One function of a TSP is to make clear land use decisions authorizing certain facilities and improvements as "planned facilities" - where the plan includes supporting findings that address the TPR and relevant statewide planning goals to establish the need, mode, function and general location of the planned facility or improvement. For facilities proposed on rural lands, additional findings are required to demonstrate compliance with the TPR. The draft TSP includes several planned or proposed facilities whose status is unclear and where required TPR or goal compliance findings have not been provided: • The Draft Framework Plan Map (Figure 32) and the draft TSP Map (Exhibit E) show several planned roadway improvements that would extend outside of both the urban growth boundary and the proposed urban reserve. Including these roadways as planned improvements requires either additional findings addressing OAR 660-012-0065 or possibly goal exceptions. • Figure 32 also shows four "study areas" where further planning to specify needed improvements is anticipated. The accompanying discussion in section 9.6 (Outstanding Issues) makes it difficult to determine the planning status of roadway improvements that are under consideration. Generally speaking, the TSP must either make a decision about need, mode, function and general location or clearly defer those decisions to a subsequent planning process and decision. As written, these policies are'not clear about what decisions have been made and what decisions have been deferred. For example, Policy 9.6.3 discusses a new Deschutes River Crossing. The policy indicates that the existing circulation plan "contemplates a new bridge over the Deschutes River". The fact that the plan "contemplates" a bridge suggests that it is a proposal rather than a plan decision to authorize the use (including decisions about need, mode, function and general location.) However, the remainder of the policy suggests that a decision that a bridge will be located here has been made because the policy calls for further study and evaluation only for the exact location and alignment of the affected roadways and the bridge crossing." (Bend TSP Amendment at 15) • The discussion of the Highway 97/20 refinement plan (pages 15-16) notes that current work is focusing on two alternatives (System Concepts 1 & 2). The description of system concept 1 indicates that it would include a new alignment connecting north of the UGB. Such a new roadway would require a goal exception - a significant undertaking. Consequently, the TSP should be revised to clearly indicate that an exception may be needed for Concept 1 and direct the refinement plan be scoped to fully address exception requirements. In short, approval of an exception would require a demonstration that there are no reasonable alternatives for meeting transportation needs that do not require goal exceptions. Detailed guidance on exceptions for new roadways is provided in OAR 660-012-0070. Recommendation: For each of the study areas, the TSP needs to either clearly make determinations about need, mode, function and general location or make it clear that these decisions remain to be made. If the city proceeds with land use determinations, it needs to 6 -provide supporting findings addressing relevant goals and clearly specify the general location of planned improvements. If the city defers decisions, it likely needs to call for preparation and adoption of refinement plans as provided for in OAR 660-012-0025. While the city does not call it a "refinement plan" it does in essence call for a refinement plan for options to deal with the US 97 / Cooley Road area (Findings page 26 of 55). C. Clarify requirements for "transportation framework plans" in areas under county jurisdiction. Implementation policies 2 and 5 indicate that "new development shall provide transportation framework plans for areas outside of the city limits but within the UGB if developed under county jurisdiction in advance of annexation...." The policy directs that such plans are to "clarify how rural development will conform to future urban level transportation plans." While the concept is good, the language of the policy is weak and may not be sufficient to assure the plan is implemented. The policy should be clearer about the required details of a transportation framework and establish a clearer standard for review and approval of such plans. Presumably, the county would require a transportation framework plan for any significant development outside the UGB and the submitted plan would have to show that the proposed development preserves feasible corridors for rights of way to allow construction of roadways shown on the draft framework plan (Figure 32) and local street connections consistent with Figure 15 and the city's development code standards for local street connections. D. Be clearer about planning for local street extensions and connections. Figure 15 ("Proposed Local Street Connections") shows a series of local street extensions and connections that would improve street connectivity (consistent with city policies and TPR requirements.) The text of plan supporting this map (on page 55) is not clear whether these connections are planned improvements or recommendations that the city may or may not implement through development approvals. The city should clarify its expectations for this map. We note that the Bend Development Code includes provisions that direct the city to apply adopted street plans in its review of specific development proposals. (Bend Development Code, 3.4 I: "1. When a street plan has been developed and adopted by City Council along with an area plan, such as a Refinement Plan, that street plan shall guide the location and spacing of future streets pursuant to City of Bend Standards and Specifications.") We recommend that the city clearly adopt figure 15 as a street plan to be applied as described in the development code. E. Recognize need for additional planning for bike and pedestrian circulation needs in the expanded UGB. The plan includes an analysis of bike and pedestrian facility and improvement needs but the analysis appears limited to addressing needed improvements on the arterial and collector street system. While this is the majority of the work needed, the city needs to also consider whether other connections or improvements are needed to provide a network or routes that provide for safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian circulation within the areas planned for urban development. Examples of other improvements that should be considered are: - additional local street connections to provide shorter more direct routes; 7 - addition of sidewalks tb existing local streets that are important access routes to schools, parks, shopping or transit; - off-street accessway or walkway connections that would provide safer or more convenient routes for pedestrians or cyclists; - street crossing improvements. The city should revise the plan and supporting findings to acknowledge the need for more detailed planning for bike and pedestrian routes in the urbanizing areas. F. Provide additional analysis to compare costs and benefits of different UGB expansion options, particularly Juniper Ridge, in coordination with ODOT and other transportation providers.. The Goal 14 rule (OAR 660-024) requires that the city evaluate and compare the costs of alternative UGB expansion areas as they relate to transportation facilities. This evaluation and comparison needs to be done in conjunction with affected service providers, particularly ODOT as it relates to state highways. OAR 660-024-0060(8) states: "The Goal 14 boundary location determination requires evaluation and comparison of the relative costs, advantages and disadvantages of alternative UGB expansion areas with respect to the provision of public facilities and services needed to urbanize alternative boundary locations. This evaluation and comparison must be conducted in coordination with service providers, including the Oregon Department of Transportation with regard to impacts on the state transportation system. "Coordination" includes timely notice to service providers and the consideration of evaluation methodologies recommended by service providers. The evaluation and comparison must include: (a) The impacts to existing water, sanitary sewer, storm water and transportation facilities that serve nearby areas already inside the UGB; (b) The capacity of existing public facilities and services to serve areas already inside the UGB as well as areas proposed for addition to the UGB; and (c) The need for new transportation facilities, such as highways and other roadways, interchanges, arterials and collectors, additional travel lanes, other major improvements on existing roadways and, for urban areas of 25,000 or more, the provision of public transit service." Overall, the city's transportation analysis concludes that the four UGB expansion alternatives considered have "very similar relative impacts". (Executive Summary, page 2). [This is not surprising given the modest differences between growth allocations among the four alternatives.]. At the same time, the analysis concludes that "development in the Juniper Ridge area does have several unique roadway elements associated with the state highways that do not occur with other land use scenarios that were considered. These potentially could include upgraded junctions with US 97 at Cooley Road, US 97 at Deschutes Market Road and a potential connection in between. The scale of these projects would require additional review and approvals with ODOT." (Executive Summary, page 2). Further the findings note that the costs of these improvements - estimated at $125 million to $185 million - are apparently not included in the total cost. The high cost of these improvements, the fact that they call for.improvements to the state highway system and may potentially require goal exceptions necessitates a full and careful evaluation and comparison of UGB expansion in this area with other options. Recommendation: The city should provide a more detailed evaluation of the costs, advantages and disadvantages of UGB expansion in different areas as required by OAR 660-024-0060(8) of the Goal 14 rule. More detailed information is particularly needed for Juniper Ridge to address likely costs, coordination with ODOT on state highway impacts, and to assess whether supporting improvements would likely involve goal exceptions. 9 Urban efficiency measures pursuant to ORS 197.296(9) There is no discussion or meaningful analysis in the. Residential Land Measures memo dated May 2, 2007 to utilize the measures listed in ORS 197.296(9) to accommodate additional housing need inside the current UGB. Instead, the memo focus on three planning projects as the sum of measures to met the statute. There are certainly more measures that should be examined, including but not limited to 1) how to address the city's large lot zone RL zone district as the city grows from its current population to its 2027 projected population and sewers are extended to these lands, 2) rezoning certain RL and RS lands either RM and RH for purposes of reducing the current and future shortfall of multi-family housing, and 3) raising the permissible density in the RS designation and zone district. The statute includes a list of the following measures and the feasibility of these measures needs to be specifically examined before the city adopts any UGB expansion: i. Increases in the permitted density on existing residential land; ii. Financial incentives for higher density housing; iii. Provisions permitting additional density beyond that generally allowed in the zoning district in exchange for amenities and features provided by the developer; iv. Removal or easing of approval standards or procedures; v. Minimum density ranges; vi. Redevelopment and infill strategies; vii. Authorization of housing types not previously allowed by the plan or regulations; viii. Adoption of an average residential density standard; ix. Rezoning or redesignation of nonresidential land. 10 Goal land citizen participation Because the submittals are incomplete and do not contain significant documents described in this letter, the department urges the city and county to provide ample opportunity for the public to comment on the proposals and all of the forthcoming documents that will make the submittals complete. 9 Specific Comments: The following are specific page-by-page comments on certain sections of the UGB submittal. Bend Area General Plan: Chapter 5: Housing and Residential Lands Page 5-5, 4s' bullet, 2`d sentence: Add "complete and citywide" before fixed route public transit system. Page 5-7, P paragraph, last sentence: Add "...but multi-family units only contributed to 20% of the housing stock. Page 5-9, 0 paragraph: This paragraph states that the city used a "conservative scenario" to estimate the supply of redevelopment land within the UGB. The text should include some reasoning for making this choice, so that the public can be better informed about the city's decision making. Page 5-13, Table 5-9: This is an interesting table that shows that Bend's demographics is highly skewed towards small household sizes, since 63% of households were either 1 or 2 person, while only 20% of households included 4 or more persons. These demographics suggest that there is considerable demand for smaller single-family attached and detached units, as well as the obvious shortfall in current multi-family housing. The city should include specific policies and implementation strategies that respond to this demographic pattern. Having over 70% of the city's residential land supply devoted to relatively low density RS land may not be the best response to meeting this demographic pattern, nor promoting increased housing affordability over the short- and long-term. Page 5-21, Future Trends and Forecasts: A number of trends are suggested that will likely worsen the city's affordable housing problem. The real question that the city should be asking as it looks at these trend is what are appropriate and possible public policy responses that will bring about more housing affordability during the forecast period. For example, if low wage jobs are part of the Bend economy, what housing type(s) should the city support so these wage earners will be able to afford renting (or even owning) a house? If size and amenities continue to be a problem that works against affordable housing, what actions and tools are available to the city to reduce house size and amenities that maybe acting to limit housing affordability.? This section appear incomplete without some response to these trends, particularly when they are adverse to promoting restoration of affordability to Bend housing. Bend Area General Plan: Chapter 6: The Economy and Lands for Economic Growth * Page 6-19, A and B. I do not understand if they this means 168 acres plus 100 acres and if so shouldn't gross and net acres be reconciled? 10 * Page 6-19, 9. Great, now define prime industrial land and list potential actions. Goal 9 defines it, but the city may define it in a way that works for their context. (8) "Prime Industrial Land" means land suited for traded-sector industries as well as other industrial uses providing support to traded-sector industries. Prime industrial lands possess site characteristics that are difficult or impossible to replicate in the planning area or region. Prime industrial lands have necessary access to transportation and freight infrastructure, including, but not limited to, rail marine ports and airports, multimodal freight or transshipment facilities and major transportation routes. Please place this letter in the record of proceedings concerning this matter. Please inform and provide the department with any pertinent new information concerning this proposed plan amendment. Please provide the department notice of any hearing continuation(s) that is related to this proposal. Again, the department is very supportive of continued coordination between the city, county and department. We are very interested in finding a solution that is best for the city and county and which remains consistent with the state's planning laws. Meanwhile, if you have general question about our comments, do not hesitate to contact me at 318.2899. If you have specific questions about issues related to Goal 14, please contact either Gloria Gardiner in our Salem office at 503.373.0050 ext. 282, or myself. If you have specific questions about issues related to Goal 12 and transportation, please contact Bob Cortright in our Salem office at 503.373.0050 ext. 241. Sincerely, Mark Radabaugh Central Oregon Region Representative Mel Oberst, Bend Community Development Director Brian Shetterly, Bend Principal Planner - Long Range Catherine Morrow, Deschutes County Planning Director Mark DeVoney, ODOT - Region 4 Bob Cortright, DLCD Gloria Gardiner, DLCD Rob Hallyburton, DLCD Darren Nichols, DLCD Lane Shetterly, DLCD 11