Amendments have been proposed to the Bend Development Code (BDC) in response to Senate Bill 458 which was passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2021. (These changes are a follow-up to significant Code changes passed by City Council last fall, supporting higher housing density and reduced requirements.) The new law requires cities to allow lots holding duplex, triplex, and quadplex housing to be subdivided into individual lots for each unit. For example, a triplex could be built on a lot and then split into three smaller lots each containing one dwelling unit (see diagram below), by using an expedited land division procedure. For more details, download this Planning Commission memo. You can also watch a Planning Commission work session from April 25.

The Planning Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on Monday, May 9, 2022, at 5:30 pm. for these Development Code changes. See attendance instructions on the meeting agenda, which also contains links to related documents.

The City Council will also hold a “hybrid” public hearing Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 7:00 pm for these Development Code changes. You may attend the hearing in person at city offices at 555 NE 15th Street, or virtually. Instructions for virtual attendance will be posted on the Council agenda prior to the hearing date.