Our Vision for a Well-Planned City, in the year 2030, Bend has strategically managed its growth and development to the benefit of the entire community. Our growth management practices and incentives have retained Bend’s small-town character while supporting a range of environmentally friendly modes of transportation, the provision of more diverse and affordable housing, and the formation of complete communities – including mixed-use development and accessible neighborhood centers. We carefully protect our parks and open spaces, greenbelts and river ways. Bend’s long-standing policy on ‘concurrency’ of growth with community infrastructure and public services ensures our city’s continued financial health and sustainability. We are a national leader in land use practices that promote government accountability and coordinated planning through proactive civic involvement and collaborative local and regional dialogue.
KEY VISION ELEMENTS
PLANNING
1. – Coordinated Regional Planning. Bend is part of a formal regional planning organization that promotes collaborative dialogue and coordinated planning for transportation, natural resource management, land use, water use and economic development in and among communities.
2 - Community Dialogue on Growth. The community, elected officials, planners and developers collaborate in addressing growth challenges through open, thoughtful and strategic dialogue on Urban Growth Boundary changes, infill, redevelopment and density.
3 – Strong Land Use Plan and Procedures. Bend has enhanced its comprehensive General Land Use Plan to guide development incorporating such items as creative zoning, good design and density requirements. Bend continues to empower its Planning Commission with clear review and approval procedures.
4 - Conditions for Growth. Growth in Bend is subject to clear, measurable targets for density, open space, affordable housing, mixed-use development, industrial lands, water management and conservation, and the ongoing review of past experience in meeting these goals.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
5 - Funding for Infrastructure and Services. Bend has developed a fair, coherent system of taxes, fees and ‘system development charges’, providing adequate funding to build and maintain quality community infrastructure (including educational facilities) and provide public services – all concurrent with growth.
TRANSPORTATION
6 – Balanced Transportation. Bend has a balanced, environmentally friendly, 'multi-modal' transportation system, accommodating private automobiles, commercial traffic, buses and shuttles, regional light rail, and accessible pedestrian and bicycle pathways.
7 – Road Connectivity. The City of Bend has a fully-funded, comprehensive long-term traffic and street improvement program facilitating flow, bypasses and easy connection to all areas of the community.
8 – Bicycle and Walking Routes. A comprehensive, integrated system of bicycle and walking routes provide safe, healthy access to major hubs of the city, including employment areas, neighborhood centers, parks and open spaces, schools and retail areas.
DEVELOPMENT & REDEVELOPMENT
9 – Vibrant Downtown. Bend has strengthened and enhanced its downtown district, carefully expanding opportunities for businesses, shops, restaurants, and housing. New construction is planned in the context of preserving downtown's unique character.
10 – Small Neighborhood Centers. Bend has developed a number of small neighborhood centers in the community, where local residents can walk or bike to cafes, shops, gathering places, pocket parks, recreational facilities, and other services.
11 – Mixed-Use Development. Bend has established mixed-use development along key corridors and in designated centers. Development codes address building design, heights, densities and levels of affordability where residential, employment and retail uses mix.
12 – Affordable Housing Supply. The City of Bend and partner organizations have preserved and increased the available supply of affordable housing at a rate consistent with population growth.
2 - Community Dialogue on Growth. The community, elected officials, planners and developers collaborate in addressing growth challenges through open, thoughtful and strategic dialogue on Urban Growth Boundary changes, infill, redevelopment and density.
3 – Strong Land Use Plan and Procedures. Bend has enhanced its comprehensive General Land Use Plan to guide development incorporating such items as creative zoning, good design and density requirements. Bend continues to empower its Planning Commission with clear review and approval procedures.
4 - Conditions for Growth. Growth in Bend is subject to clear, measurable targets for density, open space, affordable housing, mixed-use development, industrial lands, water management and conservation, and the ongoing review of past experience in meeting these goals.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
5 - Funding for Infrastructure and Services. Bend has developed a fair, coherent system of taxes, fees and ‘system development charges’, providing adequate funding to build and maintain quality community infrastructure (including educational facilities) and provide public services – all concurrent with growth.
TRANSPORTATION
6 – Balanced Transportation. Bend has a balanced, environmentally friendly, 'multi-modal' transportation system, accommodating private automobiles, commercial traffic, buses and shuttles, regional light rail, and accessible pedestrian and bicycle pathways.
7 – Road Connectivity. The City of Bend has a fully-funded, comprehensive long-term traffic and street improvement program facilitating flow, bypasses and easy connection to all areas of the community.
8 – Bicycle and Walking Routes. A comprehensive, integrated system of bicycle and walking routes provide safe, healthy access to major hubs of the city, including employment areas, neighborhood centers, parks and open spaces, schools and retail areas.
DEVELOPMENT & REDEVELOPMENT
9 – Vibrant Downtown. Bend has strengthened and enhanced its downtown district, carefully expanding opportunities for businesses, shops, restaurants, and housing. New construction is planned in the context of preserving downtown's unique character.
10 – Small Neighborhood Centers. Bend has developed a number of small neighborhood centers in the community, where local residents can walk or bike to cafes, shops, gathering places, pocket parks, recreational facilities, and other services.
11 – Mixed-Use Development. Bend has established mixed-use development along key corridors and in designated centers. Development codes address building design, heights, densities and levels of affordability where residential, employment and retail uses mix.
12 – Affordable Housing Supply. The City of Bend and partner organizations have preserved and increased the available supply of affordable housing at a rate consistent with population growth.
CONSERVATION
13 – Renewable Energy. Through city ordinances, incentives, zoning and building codes, the City of Bend promotes energy conservation and the use of renewable energy in the growth and development of the community. The City models the use of renewable energy in its own consumption and procurement practices.
14 – Conservation Greenbelts. Bend has helped maintain the community’s distinct identity by locating strategically integrated, permanent conservation ’greenbelt’ areas to provide connectivity and open space.
14 – Conservation Greenbelts. Bend has helped maintain the community’s distinct identity by locating strategically integrated, permanent conservation ’greenbelt’ areas to provide connectivity and open space.
