Foes unsure on further OSU-Cascades campus appeal

The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday rejected a challenge by critics of the OSU-Cascades Westside campus in Bend, echoing earlier rulings that upheld the school’s controversial plans.

The court, without issuing an opinion, affirmed the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals and the city of Bend’s approvals of the campus off Century and Chandler drives. The school already has begun construction after the earlier LUBA ruling.

“This is great news, because it clears the way for us to focus 100 percent on our efforts to expand higher education opportunities in Central Oregon,” said Becky Johnson, OSU-Cascades vice president.

Truth in Site spokesperson Tracy Pfiffner said they have issued an online petition with over 1,000 signatures and feels there are still many unanswered questions.

“There’s a financial risk going ahead. Can they develop the pumice mine for fair market value?” she said. “When it comes to student safety, they are adjacent to a pumice mine and a toxic landfill — how are they going to keep students out of those areas?”

Despite the ruling, Pfiffner says they’re keeping all their options open and have not decided if they will take the case to the Oregon Supreme Court, which would decide whether it wants to hear the matter.

“The ruling today does not endorse that this is a well thought-out plan, or that OSU has widespread community support for this location,” she said. “I think it’s important we keep in mind, legal doesn’t make it right.”

Here’s the rest of the school’s news release:

The appeals court decision marks the fourth approval of the site development plan for the 10-acre campus on Bend’s west side. An independent hearings officer, the Bend City Council and the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals all previously ruled in favor of the plan.

“We have made solid progress toward creating the ideal environment for learning, research, cultural enrichment and other amenities that come with a local, four-year university,” Johnson said.

OSU-Cascades will welcome its first freshman class this month. A 43,650-square-foot academic center featuring state-of-the art classrooms, laboratories, offices and other spaces for approximately 1,890 students is slated to open by fall 2016. Site work for the 113,000-square-foot residence hall and student dining complex is nearing completion.

“We are grateful for the support from so many who have helped get us to this significant milestone,” Johnson said. “We are also set to launch the next phase of public engagement, that will be as comprehensive as possible, as part of our assessment of the adjacent 46-acre pumice mine and 76-acre demolition landfill for potential campus expansion. We look forward to a public conversation that will help create a campus that is an overwhelming asset to the surrounding community, and to all of Bend and Central Oregon.”