Bend City Council Business Meeting - September 2, 2026
Bend City Council Business Meeting - September 2, 2026
The Bend City Council met on September 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. (following a 5:00 p.m. executive session on real property negotiations) to address a wide-ranging agenda including a quasi-judicial hearing on the Caldera Ranch Urban Growth Boundary expansion, a legislative hearing on sign code amendments, a declaration of surplus property for affordable housing, and several infrastructure and design contracts. The meeting included extensive public testimony, particularly on the Caldera Ranch project, which centered on wildfire risk, evacuation, and traffic concerns. The council approved the Caldera Ranch UGB expansion and several other items, while the sign code amendments were continued to a future meeting.
Consent Calendar
The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from prior meetings (June 24, 2026 Work Session; June 30, 2026 Joint City/Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Meeting; July 15, 2026 Business Meeting; July 22, 2026 Work Session; August 5, 2026 Business Meeting; August 12, 2026 Work Session) and two contracts: a $1,299,900 contract with HP Civil, Inc. for the Primary Clarifier Rehabilitation Phase 2 and a $765,337 contract with Consor North America, Inc. for design services on the River Well #1 Renewal Project.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Comments (non-hearing): Brandon Matthews (Bend Night Sky Alliance) reported that night sky brightness is increasing at about 5% per year across Bend and urged updating the city's lighting ordinance. Natalie Peterson, a junior at Bend Senior High School, proposed supporting local organic farms to reduce food transportation and meet climate goals. John Lennon Corbella introduced himself and thanked the council.
- Caldera Ranch Public Hearing: Over 30 speakers testified, with the vast majority opposing the development due to wildfire evacuation risks, traffic congestion on Knott Road, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental concerns. Speakers included Dr. Matt Eschelbach (ER physician), Dr. Todd Tournay (ER physician), Dr. Pamela Tournay, Dr. Alison Boudreau, Greg Holcomb, Carl Matalitzia (Woodside Ranch HOA Board), Mike Stambler, Susan Rikert, Ray Meow (Woodside Ranch Association President), Michael Sidin, Susan Scakel (retired forester), Peter Christoff, Lana Denrath, Paola, and others. They cited the Hidden Forest fire (August 7, 2026), the 2026 Oregon wildfire record (nearly 2.5 million acres burned), and evacuation modeling concerns. Supporters included Garrett Mosher (Central Oregon Buildings Association), Emily Boyd (Bend Chamber of Commerce), Deborah Flagan, and David Welton, who emphasized the need for 716 housing units with 30% deed-restricted affordable housing (254 units) and the project's compliance with Senate Bill 1537.
- Sign Code Public Hearing: Brandon Matthews (Bend Night Sky Alliance) opposed expanding illuminated signage, arguing it conflicts with the city's dark sky commitment. Emily Boyd (Bend Chamber of Commerce) supported the amendments, citing benefits for businesses along Highway 97.
- Juniper Ridge Surplus Property: No in-person testimony; written comments from Pauline Ward (concerns about costs and permanent supportive housing) and Alison Dean (opposition) were entered into the record.
- North Mirror Pond Parking and Event Space: No public testimony.
Discussion Items
- Caldera Ranch UGB Expansion (Item 5): This quasi-judicial hearing involved a binding conceptual plan to add 93 acres to the UGB with 716 housing units (including 254 deed-restricted affordable units for 60 years), commercial space, and a low-stress trail network. Staff (Michelle Patrick, Brianne Gale) and the applicant (Joey Shearer, FKS Engineering) presented the proposal. Planning commission representative Aaron Leden noted concerns about cumulative traffic impacts but recommended approval. Council deliberated on wildfire mitigation language, ultimately adopting an amendment requiring the future master plan to demonstrate wildfire risk mitigation through creation of defensible space (as defined by council) and at least one additional method (e.g., landscaping, building materials beyond minimum, or a wildfire mitigation plan prepared by a professional). Council also extended the application deadline per Resolution 3411.
- Sign Code Amendments (Item 6): A legislative hearing to amend BMC Chapter 9.50 Signs. Staff (Amy Barry, Kim Bruce) presented changes to streamline permits, add allowances for window signs, directory signs, illuminated signs in certain districts, and increase sign area for churches/schools. Dark sky advocates opposed illumination expansions. Council debated; a motion to adopt the amendments without illumination expansions failed 3-4 (Councilors Franzosa, Norris, Perkins in favor; Councilors Platt, Riley, Kebler, Mendez absent opposed). A motion to adopt the full package as proposed also failed. Council voted to continue deliberations to the next meeting when Councilor Méndez could attend.
- Juniper Ridge Surplus Property (Item 7): Staff (Matt Stewart) proposed declaring 24 acres (Lot 1) surplus for affordable housing under Senate Bill 8, with a first phase of ~6 acres. The resolution included a 30-year affordability covenant, $1/year lease, and evaluation criteria including bonus points for deeper affordability (below 60% AMI), longer deed restrictions (e.g., 60 years), permanent supportive housing, and accessible units. Council adopted the resolution unanimously.
- North Mirror Pond Parking and Event Space (Items 8 & 9): This project uses $5 million in funds (transient room tax, parking reserves, debt financing) to create a multi-use event space in the North Mirror Pond parking lot, including public restrooms and trash solutions. Staff (Joe) requested exemption from competitive bidding to use Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) delivery and an amendment to Walker Macy's design contract ($666,943 increase to $902,586). Council debated parking loss and debt financing; the CMGC exemption passed 6-1 (Councilor Franzosa opposed), and the design contract amendment passed 6-1 (same opposition).
- Repeal of Economic Improvement District (Item 10): First reading of an ordinance repealing Ordinance NS-2554 for the Bend Central District EID after a remonstrance hearing showed >33% opposition. Unanimously approved.
- Transportation SDC Project List and Design Contract (Items 11 & 12): Council adopted a resolution amending the transportation system development charge (SDC) project list to allocate $3.915 million for the Bond Street and Reed Market Roundabout Widening Project, modifying two existing projects. Then authorized a $1,599,831.03 design contract with HDR for this project, which will evaluate hybrid vs. full double-lane roundabout options. Both unanimous.
- Stevens Ranch Master Planned Development (Item 13): Second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending BDC Article XXIV. Unanimous roll call.
- HB 2138/4037 Code Amendments (Item 14): Second reading and adoption of an ordinance implementing state housing laws and updating various standards, with effective date of January 1, 2027, for middle housing bonus unit provisions. Unanimous roll call.
- City Manager's Report (Item 15): Brief updates on Market Wells opening (end of Friday before school), Ferguson Ave opening September 18, and Cooley Road reopening for school traffic. Encouraged walking and biking to school.
- Appointments: Council approved Transportation and Mobility Advisory Committee alternates Chase Reynolds and Austin Mazzolini.
Key Outcomes
- Caldera Ranch UGB Expansion: Council voted unanimously to extend the application deadline and accept the applications. On the second motion (first reading of ordinance adopting the binding conceptual plan and UGB expansion), council voted unanimously to approve, with the wildfire mitigation policy amended as described (defensible space defined by council). The ordinance must still be approved by Deschutes County and DLCD.
- Sign Code Amendments: No action taken; continued to the next council meeting when all members are present.
- Juniper Ridge Surplus Property: Resolution adopted unanimously to declare 24 acres surplus and initiate an RFP process for affordable housing development.
- North Mirror Pond Parking and Event Space: Exemption for CMGC delivery approved 6-1; design contract amendment approved 6-1 (Councilor Franzosa opposed both).
- Repeal of EID: Ordinance for first reading passed unanimously.
- Transportation SDC List & HDR Contract: Resolution and contract both approved unanimously.
- Stevens Ranch MPD: Ordinance adopted unanimously.
- HB 2138/4037 Code Amendments: Ordinance adopted unanimously, with effective date January 1, 2027, for middle housing bonus provisions.
Meeting Transcript
I'm gonna have to sit down, did I? We won't be here alone. All right, a lot of sitting time. Yes. Um, the Benn City Council will now meet in executive session pursuant to ORS one nine two six six zero two E to conduct deliberations with persons designated to negotiate real property transactions. Representatives of the news media and designated staff shall be allowed to attend the executive session. Representatives of the news media are specifically directed not to report on any of the deliberations during the executive session, except to state the general subject of the session as previously announced. No decision may be made in executive session. At the end of the executive session, we will return to open session. Okay, okay. All right, good evening, everyone. We're gonna call this city council meeting to order tonight, and we're gonna start with our roll call. Um let's start with your end, Steve Platt. Steve Play. Megan Perkins, she, her. Melanie Keebler, she, her. Megan Norris, she here. Gina Franzosa, she her. And online. Mike Riley. Great. And Councilor Mendez is excused tonight. So our first item is going to be our proclamation for welcoming week. We have a couple of folks at the table right now. Um, Catalina, did you prefer that I read all of it and then you read all of it, or do you okay? We'll do it that way. Okay, great. Catalina's gonna read it for us in Spanish tonight. So this is our welcoming week proclamation. In the past year, our communities have been in have endured an increase in hateful rhetoric, discriminatory federal policies, and unlawful immigration enforcement. We've seen ICE use ever more aggressive tactics across the country and here in Central Oregon, detaining people who are just trying to go to work, take their kids to school, and access crucial services. The impacts of this violence on those coming here to build better lives for themselves and their families spiral ever wider from downtown Bend to Warm Springs and beyond. In March of twenty twenty six, the city of Band passed resolution number three four six six six six six seven to condemn federal government's approach to immigration enforcement, provide funding directly to families impacted by detentions, and to financially support the re envisioning of welcoming week. Since then, the Latino Community Association has been working closely with the city and community partners to reaffirm the event's focus on local immigrants and refugee communities. This year's welcoming week from September 10th to 19th is about celebrating our immigrant and refugee communities. This involves making tangible commitments to protect our people in the face of racism and hate. They are part of what makes Bend Bend. We're excited to announce a series of events planned by and for community members, ranging from screen printing workshops to short film screenings from night markets to culturally specific games. We invite you to take this week to exchange stories, learn from your neighbors, uplift the artists, entrepreneurs, and activists who shape the city of Bend. Welcoming week, however, is not a one-time occurrence. It's an ongoing commitment to justice, dignity, and joy authored by and for our immigrant and refugee communities. It's about recognizing and supporting the contributions of our event coordinators, Alaudorada, the Asian and Pacific Islanders Collective, Benditas, Embrace Bend, Colovita, and the Latino Community Association, and Shahara Films. It's about honoring the people who came before us and building a better world for those who come after. We, the City Council and Mayor of City of Bend, therefore proclaimed September 10th through 19th to be welcoming week 2026. We call on business owners, civic groups, government agencies, and most importantly, all community members to join us in reaffirming our commitment to building thriving, equitable, and healthy communities. I vote to approve the proclamation. I'll second that. All right, all those in favor of approving the proclamation. Hi. All right.
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