Adopted Plans for Growth

Factors considered in long-term planning include population, housing and employment growth. Long-term planning efforts seek to ensure quality infrastructure and complete neighborhoods with access to essential services and amenities so that Bend is resilient and meets the City’s climate goals.

The City has adopted several plans to guide Bend’s growth and development. Here’s an overview:

Chapter 11 of the Bend Comprehensive Plan guides planning for Bend’s growth. It uses 20-year forecasts for population, housing and employment to ensure Bend has enough land for housing, jobs, schools and parks. The plan includes:

• Ways for community members to walk, bike, drive and use transit services.
• Plans for quality water and sewer services.
• Protection of historic resources, natural areas and wildlife habitats.
• Goals for creating complete neighborhoods with access to jobs, services, parks and schools.

You can check out an interactive map of the Bend Comprehensive Plan:

Adopted in 2016, the urban growth boundary (UGB) project provided land for Bend’s projected housing and employment growth. It added 2,380 acres to Bend’s boundary and identified nine opportunity areas for infill and development. Since 2016, additional land has been added to the urban growth boundary through the land use application process.  A map of the current urban growth boundary is available for viewing in the Bend Data Viewer. The map below shows the urban growth boundary as adopted in 2016:

This report from 2018 helps the City Council decide where to focus resources. It has led to investments in:

• Construction of the Murphy and Empire corridor projects
• Development of the Southeast Area Plan
• An urban renewal study for the Bend Central District, East Downtown, KorPine and Inner Highway 20 / Greenwood

• 2022 Stevens Road Tract Concept Plan: A plan for developing a complete neighborhood in southeast Bend.
• 2021 Southeast Area Plan: A plan guiding development of the Elbow expansion area.
• 2020 Core Area Project: Led to the Core Area Tax Increment Financing District and implementation plan.

The Transportation System Plan (TSP) is an integral component of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, focusing on addressing Bend’s transportation needs through the year 2040.

Public facility plans address Bend’s infrastructure needs. The Integrated Water System Master Plan ensures the reliable delivery of safe water by evaluating and improving the water infrastructure. The Wastewater Collection System Master Plan outlines necessary improvements to the sewer system to support current and future capacity needs. Together, these plans aim to enhance the quality of life for Bend’s residents by ensuring sustainable and efficient infrastructure.