The
latest episode in the drama revolving around construction of a 170-unit
apartment complex on Bend’s westside has concluded with opponents none too
happy with a hearing officer’s decision.
In
a nearly 90-page decision hearing officer Will Van Vactor has stuck closely to the
city’s zoning and comprehensive plan guidlines by approving Evergreen Housing
Development Group of Seattle’s plans for a site along Shevlin Road across from the
new watersports park at the Colorado Avenue bridge on the Deschutes River.
One
of the more vocal opponents of the project is a local resident who was quoted
by The Bend Bulletin as saying an appeal will be forthcoming.
Under
city regulations the opponents may appeal the decision to the city council, or
go directly to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.
Neighborhing
residents and others have argued that the project would cast shadows on the
park and increase traffic and parking problems. Among the opponents is Bill
Smith, developer of the Old Mill District mixed-used project upstream from the park.
The
conroversy has distilled arguments from what some have called “not-in-my-backyard”
or NIMBY factions and YIMBYs, who say yes to increased density with multi-family
projects to ease Bend’s affordable housing crunch and prevent additional urban
sprawl.
Within
the past few years the State of Oregon has approved Bend’s state-mandated urban
growth bounday plan with the objective of encouraging more dense development of infill
bare land already within the city limits.
In
his decision, the hearing officer turned down Evergreen’s application for an
additional 5-foot height variance for the four-story building, which a developer
representative said would not adversely affect the company’s plans.
The
apartment complex had earlier been approved as an administrate decision by Bend
planning staff in that it met current comprehensive plan and zoning standards.
But the city took the unusual step of going to the hearing process after complaints
by opponents.
