Bend Westside expansion plans set for next step
A major expansion on Bend’s Westside is about to reach another milestone. A new Deschutes County zoning designation called the Westside Transect Zone has been in the works for about a year and is set to go before county commissioners for public comment.
The land is owned by a combination of private and public land owners who would like to be able to develop it, but keep the area’s rural feel. They want to limit the amount of homes that can be developed in the area, make sure wildlife is protected and include a wildfire protective barrier.
The area of discussion is two parcels of land on either side of Shevlin Park Road, just east of Shevlin Park. The two parcels together total 717 acres.
County Associate Planner Zechariah Heck said Wednesday that since the second public hearing by a county hearings officer in September, some decisions have been made.
“A hearings officer issued a decision recommending approval for the Westside Transect Zone to the Board of County Commissioners,” Heck said.
He also stressed at this point, the applicants have no specific subdivision designs or road layout plans submitted.
The board will hold a hearing on Tuesday Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. in the Barnes and Sawyer rooms at 1300 Wall Street, where they’ll review the hearing officer’s decision and take public testimony.
Click here to read more about the Deschutes County Westside Transect Zone.
