HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-2-11 Comp Plan Update
MEMORANDUM
TO: Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Terri Hansen Payne, Senior Planner
MEETING DATE: February 2, 2011
SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan Update
BACKGROUND
The Deschutes County Planning Commission (Commission) voted on January 13, 2011 to
recommend that the Board of County Commissioners (Board) adopt the draft Deschutes County
Comprehensive Plan (Plan). This memo is to provide an overview of the Plan process so far,
highlight key issues and seek direction on the Board’s preferred review process.
Planning staff are currently coordinating with legal counsel to ensure the Planning Commission
recommended Comprehensive Plan is compliant with state law and local ordinances, and
contains adequate findings. It is anticipated that the completed revisions will be provided to the
Board by mid-February.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS OVERVIEW
Over the past 21/2 years the Planning Commission and community have discussed revisions to
the County Comprehensive Plan. The first year the Commission reviewed State land use
regulations, existing goals and policies and current conditions and trends. Panels of experts
provided additional guidance on defined topics. Public outreach included listening sessions
around the County, booths at the spring and fall Home and Garden Shows, outreach to other
jurisdictions, agencies and organizations, a dedicated website and press releases and
interviews.
Staff combined the information gathered with additional background research into a fall 2009
Comprehensive Plan update draft. The foundations of the 2009 Plan were: (1) balancing private
property rights and community interests; (2) creating a broad policy framework for the entire
county while also establishing distinct chapters of the plan to address unique issues in different
areas/communities; and (3) supporting partnerships, cooperation and collaboration with public,
private and non-profit organizations to implement the Plan’s goals.
Additional community outreach was followed by a year of discussion by the Commission of each
goal and policy. A significantly revised draft was released in fall 2010. Three Planning
Commission public hearings were scheduled for Bend, Sisters and La Pine. The hearing was
continued for one additional meeting in Bend. The Commission then deliberated and
recommended approval.
Deschutes County Draft Comprehensive Plan Update
KEY ISSUES
Associated Projects
There are a few Comprehensive Plan sections that were, or will be, adopted separately and
incorporated into this Plan.
First, the Transportation System Plan is a separate project, with hearings anticipated later this
year. A second separate project is destination resort mapping, with amended approval criteria
already adopted and a revised map under consideration. Third, the Board raised concerns over
land uses in Terrebonne, Tumalo and Deschutes Junction. Initially these areas were being
reviewed as part of this Plan update, but to give adequate attention to those communities, they
were spun off as separate projects. For Terrebonne and Tumalo, public outreach led to
community plans that were adopted by the Board. For Deschutes Junction, there was little
consensus on the need for a community plan and specific policies for that area are still under
discussion. All these projects are important pieces of the Comprehensive Plan, but are not part
of this update.
Big Picture Land Use Issues
Throughout this process there have been lively debates over the future of land use in the
County. The key to crafting this Plan was finding balance between competing ideas.
• Private property rights and community interests: There was considerable discussion over how
to draw the line between individual property rights and wider community interests like clean
rivers or the quiet enjoyment of property. Views ranged from those who did not want any
restrictions to those who expressed concern that existing regulations are not adequate to
protect community interests.
• The role of government: The role of government, particularly County government, was
discussed in relation to various policies. There was considerable conversation, but not always
consensus, on the importance of coordination and partnerships with all stakeholders.
• Level of detail in Plan policies: Staff and the Commission had differing ideas of how much
detail should be in the Plan. Staff noted that detail is often needed for clarity and to ensure
usefulness. Commissioners noted that general policies are more inclusive and more useful
over a long period of time.
Key Land Use Topics
The following topics generated the most discussion and debate.
• Agriculture: It was noted that Deschutes County land is challenging to farm profitably, but
can’t easily be rezoned due to State regulations.
• Wildlife: Some expressed opinions that the County should not regulate wildlife on private land
while others noted that wildlife is a large part of their quality of life and should be protected.
• Water: Issues included the County’s role in water quality and quantity, south County water
issues, the value of the river system, conservation and minimizing development impacts.
• Future Community Plans: Residents of south County and Deschutes River Woods have
expressed interest in working with the County to develop community plans specifically for
their areas. East County residents have noted that their issues differ from other areas and
should be addressed in more detail as well.
pg 2 2-2-11
Deschutes County Draft Comprehensive Plan Update
BOCC DIRECTION ON REVIEW PROCESS
The Board directed staff to establish a schedule to ensure adoption by June 30, 2011. Staff
seeks direction on the Board’s preferred review process to meet that target. Specifically:
• Is this work session sufficient to prepare the Board for public hearings? As an alternative,
does the Board want to conduct a second work session upon receiving the recommended
Plan prior to initiating public hearings?
• How many public hearings should be scheduled? Where? When?
o One or more hearings?
o In Bend or around the county?
o Regular 10 a.m. land use meeting or in the evening?
• Draft Schedule / Timeline:
February: Work Session(s)
March: Hearing #1 – Bend (morning and evening – same day)
Hearing #2 – La Pine (evening)
April - May: Hearing #3 – Sisters (evening)
Additional hearings? Locations?
May – June: Deliberations / Adoption
2-2-11 pg 3