2025-16-Minutes for Meeting October 10,2024 Recorded 1/23/2025COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
DESCHUTES COUNTY JOINT BOCC AND PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING
5:30 PM, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024
Barnes Sawyer Rooms - Deschutes Services Bldg - 1300 NW Wall St - Bend
(541) 388-65751 www.deschutes.org
AGENDA
MEETING FORMAT
The Planning Commission will conduct this meeting in person, electronically, and by phone.
Members of the public may view the Planning Commission meeting in real time via the Public
Meeting Portal at www.deschutes.org/meetings.
Members of the public may listen, view, and/or participate in this meeting using Zoom. Using Zoom
is free of charge. To login to the electronic meeting online using your computer, copy this link:
httns://hit.ly/dcnczoom
Passcode: 764609
Using this option may require you to download the Zoom app to your device.
Members of the public can access the meeting via telephone, dial: 1-312-626-6799. When prompted,
enter the following Webinar ID: 824 8646 7893 and Passcode: 764609. Written comments can also
be provided for the public comment section to planningcommission@deschutes.org by 5:00 p.m.
on October 10. They will be entered into the record.
I. CALL TO ORDER / WELCOME AND ROUNDTABLE INTRODUCTIONS
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
III. BACKGROUND / LAND USE INTERESTS
IV. OTHER BOARD / PLANNING COMMISSION COORDINATION ISSUES
V. ADJOURN
Steve Dennison, County Clerk
Commissioners' Journal
Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2O25-1 6
01/23/2025 7:57:09 AM
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October 10, 2024
JOINT BOCC AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Page 2 of 2
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I ES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Minutes
DESCHUTES COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION AND BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS JOINT WORK SESSION MEETING
DESCHUTES SERVICES CENTER
1300 NW WALL STREET, BEND, OREGON, 97703
OCTOBER 10, 2024-5:30 P.M.
THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN PERSON, ELECTRONICALLY, AND BY PHONE. IT WAS AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDED AND CAN BE ACCESSED AT
THE DESCHUTES COUNTY MEETING PORTAL WEBSITE WWW.DESCHUTES.ORG/MEETINGS
MINUTES OF THE DESCHUTES COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DISCLAIMER : THESE MINUTES ARE DERIVED FROM AN AUTOMATED
TRANSCRIPTION SERVICE AND HAVE BEEN SUMMARIZED THROUGH AN AUTOMATED PROCESS. WHILE THEY ARE GENERALLY BELIEVED TO BE
ACCURATE, THEY MAY NOT CAPTURE THE FULL CONTEXT OR NUANCES OF THE DISCUSSIONS THAT TOOK PLACE. INTERESTED PARTIES ARE
ENCOURAGED TO REFER TO THE OFFICIAL VIDEO RECORDING OF THE HEARING TO CONFIRM SPECIFIC TOPICS, DISCUSSIONS, OR ISSUES ADDRESSED
DURING THE MEETING.
I. CaII to Order
Planning Commission (PC) Chair Toni Williams called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm. Planning Commissioners
present in -person: Vice Chair Jessica Kieras, Nathan Hovekamp, Mark Stockamp, Kelsey Kelley, Susan Altman and
Matt Cyrus. Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) present in -person: Chair Patti Adair, Vice Chair Tony De Bone,
Phil Chang. Staff present: Nicole Mardell, Senior Planner; Tarik Rawlings, Senior Transportation Planner; Tanya
Saltzman, Senior Planner; Kyle Collins, Associate Planner; Will Groves, Plannine Manaeer; Peter Gutowsky,
Community Development Director; Nick Lelack, County Administrator, and Stephanie Marshall, Legal Counsel, Senior
Assista nt
II. Public Comment
None
III. Action Items
1. Dark Skies Initiative
• Commissioners expressed enthusiasm for addressing the "dark skies" initiative, emphasizing
community support and the need to preserve the natural beauty of the night sky. There was
considerable discussion among the commissioners and staff about balancing public safety with
dark sky preservation.
• Commissioners highlighted how reducing light pollution could benefit residents and wildlife alike,
referencing bird migration as an area of concern. They explored simple solutions such as shielding
lights to direct them downward rather than outward, minimizing unnecessary light spillage.
• Other commissioners voiced their support for the initiative but noted potential challenges in
enforcement, especially in rural areas where safety and visibility are concerns. The commission
agreed to continue exploring best practices for both lighting and safety.
2. Newberry Country Plan Update
• Commissioners reviewed forthcoming updates to the Newberry Country Plan, which will address
trends in housing, transportation, water resources and economic development. Staff noted that
public input would be integral to the process.
• There was significant concern expressed about water resource management in the area,
particularly as it relates to the increased demand on groundwater from new developments.
117 NW Lafayette Avenue, Bend, Oregon 97703 I P.O. Box 6005, Bend, OR 97708-6005
�� (541) 388-6575 @cdd@deschutes.org ® www.deschutes.org/cd
Commissioners reiterated that updating the plan would need to involve careful consideration of
the environmental impacts of growth.
3. EPA Community Change Grant
• The county is awaiting a decision on a $20 million -dollar grant from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to fund a series of initiatives, including defensible space for wildfire
protection, improvements to domestic wells, and alternative wastewater treatment systems for
eligible residents.
• Commissioners discussed how grant funding would assist in addressing some of the infrastructure
challenges in Southern Deschutes County, particularly for communities grappling with
groundwater depletion.
4. Clear and Objective Standards for Residential Development (HB 3197)
• Staff presented an overview of the legislative requirements stemming from House Bill 3197, which
mandates that counties adopt clear and objective standards for housing developments in
unincorporated communities. These code updates will impact zoning regulations and land use
processes across Deschutes County.
• Commissioners expressed concerns about how these standards would affect future developments,
particularly in terms of maintaining community character while accommodating growth.
5. Recreational Vehicle (RV) Regulations (SB 1013)
• The BOCC and the PC briefly discussed Senate Bill 1013, which would permit RV's as rental
dwellings in rural residential areas under specific conditions. Deliberations on the topic are
expected to take place in November 2024, with community feedback playing a key role in shaping
the final decision.
IV. Planning Commission and Staff Comments
• Commissioner DeBone commented on the importance of balancing development with
environmental preservation, particularly in the context of ongoing projects such as canal piping
and groundwater management.
• Commissioner Chang emphasized the need for proactive water conservation measures,
highlighting the impact of canal piping projects on the local aquifer and stressing the importance
of long-term water resource planning.
• Commissioners discussed funding options for Long Range Planning and Code Enforcement.
• Commissioner Altman asked the BOCC for feedback on encouraging greater community
participation during meetings. The group discussed several options to encourage and utilize
community member input.
V. Adjourn
Chair Williams adjourned the meeting at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Tracy Griffin
All materials including (but not limited to) video, presentations, written material and submittals are subject to the County
Retention Policy. The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format, adhering to the guidelines set by the Deschutes County
Planning Commission for public engagement and meeting conduct.
Page 2 of 2
Item #.1.
I ES
MEMORANDUM
TO: Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
Deschutes County Planning Commission
CO UNITY DEVELOPMENT
FROM: Peter Gutowsky, AICP, Community Development Director
Will Groves, Planning Manager
DATE: October 2, 2024
SUBJECT: Joint Deschutes County Board of Commissioners / Planning Commission Work Session
The Board of County Commissioners (Board) and Planning Commission will conduct a joint work session on
October 10, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at the Deschutes Services Center, 1300 Wall Street, Barnes and Sawyer
rooms. Staff prepared a draft agenda for consideration.
I. PURPOSE
The joint work session allows commissioners to engage in open, informal conversations, discussing one's
background, land use interests, and topics identified in the Community Development Department (CDD)
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Work Plan.' Long range planning staff will be in attendance to respond to any questions.
II. AGENDA
A. Welcome and Roundtable Introductions
B. Public Comments
C. Background / Land Use Interests
This is an opportunity for commissioners to discuss land use issues that interest them. The following topics
represent some of the most prominent projects that are currently active; however, staff encourages
discussion of any others that may be of importance.
1 https://www.deschutes.org/sites/default/files/fileattachmentsjcommunity development/page/18781/2024-
2025 work plan and 2003 annual report adopted.pdf
Item #.1.
Newberry Country Plan Update
Later this fall, Deschutes County will initiate an update to the Newberry
Country Plan. It is a chapter of Deschutes County's Comprehensive Plan
addressing the unincorporated areas south of Sunriver and near La Pine.
The process provides an opportunity for public discourse on current trends,
conditions, and needs in the region on a wide variety of topics such as
housing, transportation, water resources, economic development, and
natural hazards.
EPA Community Change Grant
In July, Deschutes County applied for a $20 million U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Community Change Grant. Staff expects a decision this
fall. In partnership with Neighborlmpact, Central Oregon
Intergovernmental Council, and the Oregon Department of Environmental
Quality, CDD requested federal funding for Alternative Treatment onsite
wastewater systems, defensible space, air curtain burners, housing
rehabilitation, and domestic well improvements for eligible residents
within 5 census block groups in Southern Deschutes County.
Clear and Objective Standards for Residential Development / HB 3197
Legend
House Bill 3197 requires counties to adopt and apply clear and objective standards, conditions, and
procedures regulating housing in unincorporated communities, Rural Residential Exception Areas, and
nonresource lands. It is effective on July 1, 2025. This law requires amending definitions, land division code,
five rural residential zones, Sunriver Urban Unincorporated Community zones, Tumalo and Terrebonne Rural
Community zones, Flood Plain Zone, and Landscape Management, Sensitive Bird and Mammal, and Wildlife
Area Combining Zones, with detailed findings, including those relating to Goal 5.
Recreational Vehicles / SB 1013
Deschutes County is considering amending Deschutes County Code (DCC), Title 18, County Zoning, and Title
19, Bend Urban Growth Boundary Zoning Ordinance to allow RVs as rental dwellings in rural residential
exception areas subject to certain criteria of SB 1013. The Board reopened the written record until
November 1, 2024. Deliberations are anticipated for November 13, 2024.
Dark Skies
Both the Planning Commission and the Board have emphasized the importance of continuing this project —
most recently in discussions that emerged during the Comprehensive Plan process. Staff will engage the
Board in approximately one month to provide paths forward for the two components of the dark skies
initiative. This first component is a legislative update, which would modernize the existing outdoor lighting
chapter in Deschutes County Code, taking into account emerging technologies and standards while
recognizing the practicalities of enforcement. The second component is a suite of education and outreach
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Item #.1.
efforts, including social media and website updates as well as exploring other ways to disseminate dark skies
best practices amongst CDD customers and the larger Deschutes County community.
Federal Emergency Management Agency - 2016 Biological Opinion
On July 16, 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent information to Oregon cities and
counties about how they will implement the Endangered Species Act (ESA) within the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA has been working on an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the NFIP
implementation plan in response to the National Marine Fisheries Service 2016 Biological Opinion (BiOp)
and concerns that the NFIP affects threatened species. FEMA is anticipated to complete the EIS and enforce
the implementation plan by 2027. Deschutes County is required to make interim code changes, beginning in
December 2024, to protect habitat and achieve no net loss standards in the watersheds of the Crooked River
and Whychus Creek. Deschutes County is closely coordinating with FEMA and Oregon Department of Land
Conservation and Development (DLCD) to respond to this rapidly evolving requirement.
D. Other Board / Planning Commission Coordination Issues
Additional issues may be discussed by commissioners during the work session that do not directly relate to
CDD's FY 2024-25 work plan.
E. Adjourn
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