The
quest to build a new campus for the OSU-Cascades 4-year university has passed
another hurdle thrown up by litigation from a group of mostly Bend west side residents who would prefer a site
away from their neighborhood.
In
a decision announced June 9, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA)
essentially sided with OSU and Bend city officials in the latter’s approval of
the first phase 10-acre site for the new campus.
The
decision quickly elicited published comments from a leader of an opposition
group, Truth in Site, that had appealed
the city’s approval.
As
reported by several media, the group spokesman said it would take the next step
and file an appeal of the LUBA decision to the Oregon Court of Appeals, and
continue on to the state Supreme Court if necessary.
The
group is asking for dontations to
continue fighting the preferred location to the west of NW Century Drive and NW
Chandler Avenue.
One published report said
Truth in Site needs $27,000 to continue their litigation.
The group is soliciting donations through it’s web site
with the statement that “...100% of the donations received are used to pay for
the mounting legal fees incurred as we fight for a university to be built in
the best location for all (as underlined) of Central Oregon.
Truth
in Site’s web site includes the tag line “For OSU Cascades/Against the Westside
Site.” http://www.truthinsite.com/
The LUBA decision could be appealed by June 29, at which
time the Court of Appeals would have 49 days to render its ruling. Either party
could then appeal a decision to the state Supreme Court.
Truth in Site’s continued opposition has led to formation
of another citizen group, Now for Bend,
in support of the selected campus site. It includes a broad crosssection
of civic and business leaders.
Among
the “coalition members” listed on Now for Bend’s website are the Bend Chamber
of Commerce, Deschutes County Commission, Economic Development of Central
Oregon, Bend Memorial Clinic, Brooks Resources,
Deschutes Brewing, Mt. Bachelor ski area, Old Mill District and Bank of
the Cascades. http://www.nowforbend.com/
LUBA
came down in favor of the university and city by deciding the city followed
it’s existing development code in not requiring the university to submit a
master plan to also include an additional 46-acre site that it is studying for
additional campus development.
LUBA sided with the city and unversity’s contention that
no master plan including the additional acreage was required since university
had not purchased the property, although it has conducted geological and other
studies of the former pumice mine and has a purchase option agreement with the
current owners.
