A
recent approval of a significant change in Bend’s development code could have
many single family homeowners digging around to read their CCRs again.
Or
others might be regretting that their neighborhood lacks the “covenants,
conditions and restrictions” that establish building standards and additional
requirements.
On
January 18, the Bend City Council gave final approval for a development code
provision that allows duplexes and triplexes to be built on lots of sufficient
size in areas of the city now zoned RS, or residential standard, which previously
mandated only single family homes.
With
the new code provision, a duplex will be allowed on a lot of 6,000 square feet
or larger, and a triplex on one of 9,000 or more. It would also be possible for
the owner of an existing home to demolish it and build a duplex or triplex.
A
senior planner with the City of Bend said the city would not get involved in
disputes between lot owners, builders or neighbors. If a lot meets the minimum
size, the city would likely approve it.
This
leaves homeowners who might have a 6,000 or 9,000 foot unbuilt lot next door to
rely on their neighborhood CCRs, which often restrict what can be built. In the
case of Bend’s Awbrey Butte neighborhood, the city planner noted, CCRs would
prohibit the multi-family buildings.
The
new code provision is intended as one strategy to improve availability of more
affordable housing, as the median price of single family homes in Bend has risen
to more than $428,000 for the 12 months of 2018.
Some
opponents of the measure argued that it does not take into consideration the
character of individual neighborhoods or configuration and typography of vacant
lots.
