Bend City Council Business Meeting – April 1, 2026

The Bend City Council met on the evening of April 1, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting included two proclamations (Arbor Day and Dark Sky Week), public comments, approval of the consent agenda, and significant actions on a major housing development (Legacy Village), a wildfire building code amendment, a growth plan contract, an eminent domain resolution for a multi-use path, and a sewer project loan and contract. Councilor Norris recused herself from items 5–8 and 10–11 due to her employment with Hayden Homes.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jonathan Westmoreland (Bend resident): Requested council direct staff to review his submitted materials on a surveillance procurement framework and begin discussion at the April 10th Public Contract Subcommittee meeting.
• Ben Leech (small business owner, Cascade Cottons): Asked council to help combine two water meters on his property to eliminate duplicate sewer fees, citing a $1,885 annual overcharge.
• Brennan Breed (member of Energized Bend): Urged council not to carve out exemptions for renewable natural gas (RNG) in the proposed climate impact fee and to implement the fee starting in April 2027, aligned with the building code update.
• Priscilla Calledos (Bend resident, Environmental Center): Supported a strong climate impact fee with no exemptions and implementation in April 2027.
• Christy Mellum (Bend resident): Called for a strong climate impact fee to be passed expeditiously, stating that a 20% fee is insufficient.

Discussion Items

Proclamations

• Arbor Day Proclamation: Declared April 24, 2026 as Arbor Day in Bend. Robbie Silverman (Save Bend Green Spaces), Ian Gray (City Urban Forester), and students from Pacific Crest Middle School spoke about upcoming tree planting events and the importance of protecting Bend’s tree canopy, particularly juniper trees on the east side.
• Dark Sky Week Proclamation: Declared April 13–20, 2026 as International Dark Sky Week. Brandon Matthews (Dark Skies Oregon) and Taylor McEwan (Bend Elks) highlighted the benefits of responsible lighting, noting that the Bend Elks’ stadium lighting retrofit reduced light spill and energy use by 60%.

Council Action & Reports

• Councilors reported on recent committee meetings, including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Bend MPO, Edco Pub Talk, City Club of Bend, and League of Cities training. Mayor and Councilor Riley expressed condolences on the passing of Warm Springs Chief Delvis Heath Sr. and recognized Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31) and Month of the Military Child (April).

Items 5–7: Legacy Village (Stevens Road Tract) – Comp Plan Amendment, Master Plan, Annexation

• Staff Presentation (Karen): The project is driven by House Bill 3318 (2021), which mandates minimum density (9 units/gross residential acre), a housing mix (10% townhomes, 35% plex/multifamily), and 20 acres of deed-restricted affordable housing. The concept plan (2022) and comp plan policies (2023) set baseline requirements. The applicant (Hayden Homes) proposes 2,487 homes, 11% townhomes, 58% plex/multifamily, and 23.8 acres of affordable housing (3.8 acres more than required). The master plan includes 39.5 acres of open space, a 23-acre community park, and a multi-use path network. The comp plan amendment reduces market-rate RH units from 480 to 300 to make development viable.
• Planning Commission Recommendation: Unanimous for the comp plan amendment; 5-2 for the master plan and annexation (dissenters cited concerns about commercial land conversion under SB 8).
• Applicant Presentation (Joey Sheer, Jen Kopitz): Emphasized alignment with the bill’s affordable housing goals, successful precedent at Parkside Place, and a phasing plan from south to north. They committed to preserving commercial and mixed-employment parcels (5 acres commercial, 7 acres mixed employment) and coordinating with Cascades East Transit for future transit stops.
• Council Deliberation: Councilor Françoza expressed concern that commercial uses often go unbuilt, but other councilors noted the land-use process only designates parcels—it does not require construction. Councilor Riley supported the project due to affordability and housing diversity. The mayor highlighted the project’s benefits for educators and the Common School Fund.
• Outcome: All three motions passed unanimously (Councilor Norris recused).

Item 8: Wildfire Building Code (Section R327)

• Presentation: The ordinance adopts discretionary section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, requiring home-hardening standards for new residential construction citywide. Staff recommended aligning the effective date with the new building code in October 2026 but offered an emergency effective date of April 15, 2026 if unanimous.
• Discussion: Councilor Françoza argued that education on defensible space should be a higher priority. Deputy Fire Marshal Melissa Steele explained that home hardening and defensible space are complementary and that education alone does not spur action. Other councilors noted the importance of future insurability and alignment with neighboring jurisdictions (Sisters, Deschutes County).
• Outcome: The motion to adopt the ordinance passed (no opposition stated; Councilor Françoza did not voice a no vote). The emergency clause was not pursued.

Item 9: Growth Plan Contract Amendment

• Presentation (Brian Rake): The contract with Cascadia Partners LLC increases by $2,739,282 for Phase 1 services in the 2025-2027 biennium, part of a multi-phase growth plan. The work includes housing needs analysis, buildable lands inventory, transportation system plan update, community visioning, and equity analysis. Total project cost estimated at $7.2 million. Funding is within the adopted budget.
• Outcome: Motion to authorize the contract amendment passed unanimously.

Item 12: Eminent Domain for Neff Corridor Improvement Project

• Presentation (Eric Forster): Resolution authorizes eminent domain for up to 15 parcels needed for a 10-foot multi-use path along Neff Road from Pilot Butte Middle School to Eagle Road. The tool provides schedule certainty if voluntary agreements cannot be reached.
• Outcome: Motion passed unanimously.

Items 10-11: Azalea and Windsor Sewer Project – Loan and Construction Contract

• Presentation (Drew Wells, Kim Millett): The project installs sewer mains on Azalea and Windsor areas as part of the Septic to Sewer program. Total loan amount not to exceed $2.9 million; construction contract with C Bar L Development LLC for $1,907,607.60. The loan is eligible for 50% principal forgiveness. Construction expected mid-April to October 2026.
• Discussion: Councilor Mendez asked about properties that did not sign up; staff explained that the program is resident-driven and no second outreach is made, but all properties in the project area receive laterals regardless of sign-up status.
• Outcome: Both motions passed unanimously (Councilor Norris recused).

Key Outcomes

• Arbor Day and Dark Sky Week proclamations adopted.
• Three motions for Legacy Village (comp plan amendment, master plan, annexation) all passed unanimously (Councilor Norris recused).
• Wildfire building code (R327) adopted without opposition.
• Growth plan contract amendment approved unanimously.
• Eminent domain resolution for Neff path approved unanimously.
• CWSRF loan and construction contract for Azalea/Windsor sewer project approved unanimously (Councilor Norris recused).
• Next steps: Second readings on April 15 for ordinances; staff will report on climate impact fee roundtable on April 8; the public will be invited to a Hawthorne Connection open house on April 7 and the growth plan kickoff workshop in August.