House OKs Buehler bill to streamline UGB process

The Oregon House voted unanimously Thursday in favor of HB 3282, a bill introduced by Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Bend, to streamline the urban growth boundary approval process for local cities.

“State land use policy has not kept pace with the rapid growth in Bend and other Oregon cities,” Buehler said.

“As a result, we have an extreme shortage of housing options and available industrial land which affects our livability,” he added. “Bend is a special place to live, with a unique quality of life. HB 3282 will help Bend grow responsibly through streamlining the process and smarter planning.

In 2013, the state Land Conservation and Development Commission developed improved methods of approving UGB expansion applications.

One of the new methods, called periodic review, allows cities to receive incremental approval of their application.

HB 3282 ensures that cities in remand who have been directed to amend portions of their applications can still take advantage of periodic review.

Bend is currently amending their application, and periodic review could potentially streamline their approval process.

“HB 3282 will allow for timelier and less expensive approvals, and will create more housing options,” Buehler said. “An improved UGB process is a change Bend, and other growing cities in Oregon, desperately need now..”