State says Bend UGB expansion proposal needs more work

     In a recent letter, the state Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) informed the city of Bend its proposal to expand the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and Urban Area Reserve (UAR) needs more documentation and is incomplete in several areas. For one thing, the city made a mathematical error in its housing need analysis and only needs 10,832 acres of urban reserve instead of 14,775, the state said. In other comments, the DLCD said: “We have considerable concern that the draft UGB expansion of 4,884 acres is not supported by documentation found in the needs analyses for housing and economic development lands.” “Unless the city takes clear and direct measures to protect its Juniper Ridge industrial land base, there will be continual pressure to convert the land to other uses.” “Generally, the city needs to do more work and coordination with (Oregon Department of Transportation) to compare costs, advantages and disadvantages of Juniper Ridge with other areas the city is considering adding to the UGB.” “The city currently has a significant shortage of multi-family housing, and needs to advance policies and planning strategies that will close the gap in early years of the planning period. …” Asked about the letter, city of Bend Senior Planner Damian Syrnyk said city staff is working to address the DLCD concerns as the city moves through the planning process. A joint meeting of the city and Deschutes County planning commissions on the UGB/UAR expansion is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26 at the Deschutes County Services Center.

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Sewer dominates Bend City Council discussion

     The city of Bend faces a balancing act of trying to bring sewer lines to homes within the city limits that now are on septic systems, while accommodating new growth in the upcoming expanded UGB. But the city doesn’t have anywhere near the dollars to pay for needed projects. That’s the message city staff gave to the Bend City Council on Wednesday.  The city needs a new sewer line that would run from the treatment plant to southeast Bend both to serve the houses now on septic, as well as tie into a downtown line that is nearing capacity. Another new line would run through Juniper Ridge and west across the city’s north side. The bad news: Staff has identified $105 million in projects but has few funding sources to pay for them. Developers of new land have stepped up to help pay for projects, but that doesn’t address the needs of existing properties. A sewer master plan is a key part of the city’s proposed UGB expansion.

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Gas tax for roads? Yes, but …

     Last week’s survey question was, “Would you support a local gas tax to pay for Bend Area Transit expansion and/or to fix roads?” Several respondents said, simply, “no,” but more said “yes.” Some comments:
     “Emphatically yes! I can tell you how many potholes I avoid on my short commute to work. Bend roads are in dire shape and if we continue to reject them, it is only going to get worse. What’s a few more cents at the pump? I would rather pay to fix our roads and know that at least a small portion of the money at the pump was paying to do some good.”
      “We run approximately 70 vehicles in our fleet. A Bend tax would force us to purchase fuel in one of the other Central Oregon cities.”
     “I would vote for a city gas tax to repair and improve roads and sidewalks, but not for expansion of the transit system. When the streets are in good repair and the missing segments of sidewalks and bike lanes are installed, I would then support a shift of funds to expand the transit system.”

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EDCO annual meeting highlights job growth

     One statistic jumped out at Tuesday’s annual general membership meeting of Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO): Between 2000 and 2006, Central Oregon created more jobs (15,482) than any area except Portland (49,006), and more than Eugene, Salem and Corvallis combined. But not all the news is good: Industrial land in Bend now is about double the price of similar land in Portland, plus Portland has advantages in areas such as higher education and transportation. However, EDCO Executive Director Roger Lee told the group even with Bend’s high prices, businesses continue to be interested in locating here because of the area’s quality of living.

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Sponsorships, spots available for Chamber golf tournament

     Here’s your opportunity to reward that productive employee or special customer: There still are openings available for the annual Bend Chamber Member Invitational Golf Tournament, to be held on Monday, Sept. 10 at Bend Golf & Country Club. The tournament, a four-person scramble, begins with a shotgun start at 11 a.m., with a buffet dinner and awards ceremony to follow. There are always plenty of sponsor giveaways, food and refreshments at every hole, and lots of door prizes and a raffle at the dinner. Cost is $160 per person or $640 per team. Sponsorships are available from $125 to $575 each. To sign up, visit the Chamber’s Web site, www.bendchamber.org/golf, or contact Lindi DeWolf at the Chamber office, 382-3221, ext. 104.

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This week’s survey question 

    Is your business seeing more, the same amount or fewer visitors this summer season?  Please e-mail your responses to:  jeff@bendchamber.org.