Bend councilors send $190 million transportation bond measure to May ballot

Council also OKs 1,100-home NE Bend development, discusses efforts to move homeless from Juniper Ridge

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend city councilors unanimously agreed Wednesday night to ask voters in May to approve bonds of up to $190 million to pay for improved traffic flow, east-west connections and neighborhood safety improvement projects across the city.

Bond projects include:

• improvements to roads, intersections, and key east-west corridors,
• neighborhood safety improvement projects,
• a connected cross-town bicycle network,
• sidewalks and safe crossings for access to schools, parks and jobs,
• sidewalk infill on key routes,
• contributions to improvements on US 97/the Parkway, including redesign and construction of interchanges and on/off ramps, and
• transit infrastructure improvements and matching funds for transit system capital improvements.

See www.bendoregon.gov/safe-travel for a complete list of projects and more information.

Here is the issue summary for the ballot measure. Here is the resolution.

Councilors also adopted a resolution to establish a bond oversight committee of community members to track and report on project expenses, schedule, and progress, if this measure passes. And here is the issue summary.

The bonds would be repaid by an annual assessment on real property, estimated to cost property owners an average of 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed value each year of the repayment period. A home with a real market value of $415,000 and assessed value of $220,000 (Bend’s citywide average) is estimated to pay approximately $170 per year.

Council OKs 1,100-home Pahlisch Homes development in NE Bend

The city council also voted to approve a master plan development and 186-acre urban growth boundary annexation in northeast Bend for the new 1,100-home Pahlisch Homes development, Petrosa, bounded by Butler Market, Deschutes Market and Yeoman roads.

The 177-acre development will feature various housing types, commercial and retail space, 22 acres of open space, including a new neighborhood park, and the potential site for a new elementary school

More roundabouts are also part of the plan as part of developing and expanding the roads around the development.

Most who spoke at a public hearing favored the development, including representatives of the Bend Chamber, Bend Parks and Rec, the nearby FC Timbers (at Pine Nursery Park) and Central Oregon LandWatch. Several praised Pahlisch for going above and beyond the requirements in years leading up to the formal proposal.

But some neighbors said they didn't like it, at all. One was Candace Bieber, who has lived a couple of miles north of the site for decades, and said she only learned of the project less than two weeks ago. "My head is not stuck in the sand," she said after the developers' presentation, including a video presentation flying over how the site would look after buildout.

"I am completely against the project," Bieber said. "I do not think this type of housing development belongs in this area. It just doesn't match. This looks to me like California. Most people have moved here to get away from California."

She spoke of her rural area's crime -- "we have shooting going on around us daily" -- and said a canal through the property needs to be piped or fenced, to keep kids and animals safe, and how she lost a dog in the canal, her most distressing memory.

"I implore you to at least stop, take a breath and not get into this too quickly," Bieber said. "I just think we need to be controlling our growth."

Another critic, who called for a traffic light in the area, said, "I don't like it, but I know it's going in."

Councilor Bill Moseley noted that several projects under way already, such as the Empire Avenue corridor, and more the new road bond would fund will help the area accommodate the growth.

"I do understand why someone would be concerned right now, but I think it’s going to better than they think," he said.

Councilor Barb Campbell talked of how "all of us have a piece of property that's been vacant forever," and when it eventually gets developed, you say, "Oh, no! Not that one!"

But Campbell added, "State land use law says we can't turn people away. We can't draw a line around our city and say, 'We're done -- we won't grow any more.' We have to accommodate all those people who want to come to our amazing city. Our biggest problem is that other people want to live where we live -- and that's some problem to have."

Juniper Ridge sewer project means area homeless will need to move

The city also is proceeding with a sewer project at Juniper Ridge this spring, and that means some homeless people living at camps on the area will have to move elsewhere. But the city is trying to do so in cautious fashion, giving ample notice and offering services to assist.

The city is looking at having to move those that are camping in the area off the property, due to safety concerns.

Juniper Ridge is city-owned property located on the north end of town, and the area that falls within the urban growth boundary is zoned for commercial use.

The city's North Interceptor Sewer line is set to be built through the area, as a part of further development. It's part of the city’s long-standing goal to develop the site and turn it into a viable piece of property the can be utilized for economic development.

The city has crafted a policy that aims to give the homeless camp residents plenty of notice before they have to leave.

Bend Police Officer Kecia Weaver said she wants to have a dialogue with those living on the land.

"Well, we are really going to focus on getting voluntary compliance, through being out there way ahead of time, making contacts, hearing individual needs and then giving a proper amount of warning because ultimately we don't want to have to take any enforcement action," Weaver said.

City of Bend Property Manager Jaime Gomez-Beltran echoed her thoughts on the issue.

"The implementation plan is really developing some timelines and what are those services that we need to make available for the population at Juniper Ridge," Gomez-Beltran said.

While Oregon law only requires a 24-hour notice for people to leave, the city is planning to give 60 days notice, and is already out on the property making connections and speaking with people about the changes.

The city is collaborating with Bend police in the effort and says it wants to do it in a safe and effective manner, while collaborating with advocacy groups and social service providers.

City officials have cited several safety concerns over people camping on the property, including fire issues, unsanitary conditions and lack of access into the area if an emergency occurs.

The plan is to begin construction on the sewer project in mid-April.