BANA’s April 22 meeting is a shared meeting sponsored by CenturyWest NA.a
Time 5:30 p.m.
Topic: Fire Ready Neighborhoods
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82227055612?pwd=NTRHK3B6OFNZTCtHUTZkZWhIeXJtdz09
PacifiCorp Eyes Juniper Ridge for
New Service Center
PacifiCorp will hold a public meeting on its Site Plan and Design Review Application to the City of Bend for a new Service Center in Juniper Ridge. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 8, 2021, 5:00 pm, via a virtual meeting platform. The meeting will be held on-line via ZOOM. To participate:
You may participate by phone (253) 215-8782 Meeting # 984 5675 7871
The complex is to be situated between NE Cooley Road and NE Talus Place; Lot 9, Phase 2 within the Juniper Ridge Employment Sub district (to be located to the east of Les Schwab HQ building with primary entrance from Cooley). The development will include Administrative Offices, Training Center, Warehouse, Truck Bays, Staging Areas, Mechanics Shop and storage areas.
Greg Blackmore of Blackmore Planning and Development Services, LLC is the contact person for the site plan. He may be contacted greg@blackmoreplanning.com
City Council to Discuss Eliminating Off-Street Parking Requirement
Councilor Melanie Kebler wants to go further and eliminate minimum off-street parking requirements for all developments. She argues that parking uses up space that could be devoted to more housing and that households without cars unfairly subsidize those with cars by having to pay for parking spaces they don’t need. She points to low income households, people with disabilities, and the elderly as among those prevented from accessing more affordable housing because they can’t find dwelling units without parking.
Off-street parking requirements have been eliminated in a few larger cities, generally in limited areas, such as those near public transit or downtown cores. Advocates make several claims about the rationale for the change, while critics counter with arguments against this experimental policy.
A study group of Bend neighborhood association land use chairs investigated both sides of the issue. They looked to cities that have reduced parking minimums for evidence documenting positive impacts on parking and on housing affordability and availability, but could not find any actual data. At this stage, the movement to change city policies appears to be based on claims, rather than evidence.
What they did find was evidence that reduced parking minimums increase the value of vacant land, which resulted in higher, not lower, housing prices. And, a parking assessment conducted for the City of Bend in 2017 concluded that cities that had eliminated parking minimums, “subsequently experienced developments that under-built parking to such a degree that parking capacity in neighborhoods and/or commercial districts became an issue.”
Resources reviewed by the study group and other information about parking standards can be found at DoesParkingMatter.com.
The City of Bend has made reductions in parking requirements since 2006. Policy #39 in the Transportation System Plan adopted in 2020 calls for adjusting parking standards using a data-driven approach based on changes in behavior and parking demand over time. This approach is generally referred to as "right-sizing parking". Both the State of Oregon and the City of Bend adopted this approach to balance supply and demand and avoid wasting land on unneeded parking spaces.
In the upcoming Council work session, staff will present information on the topic and the councilors can discuss it and direct the staff about possible next steps, such as drafting amendments to the Bend Development Code, which is where parking standards are set.
The work session on parking requirements will be prior to the regular Council meeting on April 21, 5:30 PM. While open to the public, work sessions do not allow for public comments. Written comments can be emailed to council@bendoregon.gov.
If you have an opinion on how the Council should approach this issue, please let them know. And, please complete the online community survey on parking requirements below.
Bill Bernardy, Summit West Lisa Mushel, Century West Mike Walker, River West Sara Santa, Southern Crossing
Fire Season Means Planning for Evacuations
Nathan Garibay, Emergency Manager, Deschutes County
Recent fires in Bend should prompt us all to plan for such an emergency. Last year the residents evacuating on north HWY 97 did not know where to assemble.
In the event of a fire near Bend, Deschutes County officials will determine the areas to be evacuated and the routes to use depending upon the fire’s location, behavior, wind, terrain, and other factors.
Emergency services will make every effort to notify you if evacuation is necessary. Common methods include emergency alerts, social media, local media, and door-to-door notifications. Emergency services may drive through your neighborhood utilizing flashing lights and public address announcements. You will be advised of potential evacuations as early as possible. You must take the initiative to stay informed and aware. Monitor local media and official emergency services social media sites for announcements from local emergency services.
In some cases, there is no time for formal evacuation notification due to quickly changing conditions. If you feel in danger, don’t wait for official notification and leave on your own.
What are my evacuation routes?
Typically, evacuation routes will be the same routes you normally come and go from your neighborhood. You are encouraged to identify as many routes out of your neighborhood as you can and familiarize your family with them. Typically, officials will expect you to use normal transportation routes and will try to manage traffic to the best degree possible.
How do I register for Emergency Alerts?
You can register for alerts in Deschutes County at http://www.deschutesalerts.org
Make sure you maintain your user name and password. It is important to log in to your profile periodically to make sure you address and contact information is correct.
What do the Evacuation Levels mean?
A Level 1 (Be Ready):
Level 1: Means “BE READY “for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movements of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
A Level 2 (Get Set):
Level 2: Means “BE SET” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntary relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
A Level 3 (Go Now):
Level 3: Means “GO” evacuate now. Leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuation immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive.
How do I prepare for evacuation?
It is important to plan possible routes out of your neighborhood/community, prepare your home and family, and practice evacuation with your family. Prepare an evacuation checklist to help your family leave quickly.
○ Critical medications, hearing aids, glasses. etc.
○ Important personal papers, family photos, family heirlooms, computer discs, etc.
○ Essential valuables check books, credit cards, cash, etc.
○ Pet & livestock transport, food, leashes, medicines, etc.
○ Change of clothing, toiletries, etc. (for several days)
○ Cell phone, battery-powered radio, flashlights, cameras, extra batteries, first aid kit
○ Critical papers (deeds, wills, birth certificates, tax, insurance-health/house/medical)
And remember: Be Prepared, Not Scared.
Legislation of Note
HB3216 Project Turnkey Allows motels and hotels to be repurposed as shelters. Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, says, “It will allow us to repurpose hotels and motels that have served tourists to house the most vulnerable among us. As a building intended to take care of people, it should not matter whose head rests on that pillow.”
Marsh represents a district that lost 2,500 homes from the Almeda fire, which swept north from Ashland through Talent and Phoenix. It was one of the Labor Day wildfires that swept Oregon. Many of the displaced residents were low-income families who were left with few affordable alternatives for housing. “Some of these facilities will remain shelters or transitional housing. But in other cases, the long-term use most needed by a community will be low-income housing,” Marsh said. “Hotels and motels that may not fit the bill for today’s travelers are the perfect place to provide people in crisis with stability and the support they need in order to move toward permanent housing.”
The bill applies to buildings within urban growth boundaries, and outside areas zoned for heavy industrial use. They must have access to transportation, and be outside floodplains or other designated hazard areas.
HB2282 is special interest legislation that would benefit one developer who was traded land in the Metolius reserve for other land he could develop into a resort. The developer chose not to do so and is now seeking additional compensation. The bill would also allow the City of Bend to expand the UGB to include the Stevens Tract in southeast and bypass the normal process for expanding boundaries.
Look for a BANA survey in your inbox. The Board wants to know more about you and your concerns.