Hearings Officer

A Hearings Officer is a lawyer well-versed in Oregon land use laws. They conduct public hearings for specific development projects and make recommendations to City Council on some Comprehensive Plan or Zoning Map amendments.

Unlike other public bodies, Hearings Officer public hearings are not held on a regular schedule as these hearings occur only when specific projects require this type of review.

Hearings Officers often handle larger and more complex projects, referred to as Type III Applications.

How a Hearings Officer Public Hearing Works

Here’s what to expect at a public hearing with a Hearings Officer:

    1. The Hearings Officer shares any pre-hearing contacts, biases, or personal interests.
    2. Opportunity to challenge for bias or personal interest.
    3. Explanation of state law procedures.
    4. Staff presentation.
    5. Applicant presentation.
    6. Testimony from supporters.
    7. Testimony from neutral parties.
  1. Testimony from opponents.
  2. Applicant rebuttal.
  3. Opponents’ rebuttal (if allowed by the Hearings Officer).
  4. Staff comments (if allowed by the Hearings Officer).
  5. Close the public hearing.

The Hearings Officer has up to 21 days to make a written decision to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the request. The hearing can be continued to a future date or adjourned early at the Hearings Officer’s discretion.

Hours Icon

Customer Resources:
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Permit Inquiries:
Monday through Friday

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Closed most major holidays.

Location IconLocation:
710 NW Wall Street
Bend, OR 97703

Meeting Archives

 

Date Meeting Materials
5/6/2026 Public Hearing – PLLD20250690 Agenda / Livestream Recording
Date Meeting Materials
12/9/2025 Public Hearing: PLCPMA20250192 Agenda / Meeting Recording
9/15/2025 Public Hearing: PLCPMA20250298 Agenda / Meeting Recording
 5/21/2025 Public Hearing: Appeal of PLSPR20240567 Agenda / Meeting Recording
 5/21/2025 Public Hearing: Appeal of PLSPR20240566 Agenda / Meeting Recording
 4/8/2025 Public Hearing: PLSPR20240641 Agenda / Meeting Recording
2/26/2025 Public Hearing: Appeal of MHLD PLLD20240609 Agenda / Meeting Recording 

 

Date Meeting Materials
4/04/24 Public Hearing: Compass Corner  Agenda; Meeting recording 
1/24/24 Public Hearing: Alexander Court Agenda; Meeting recording

Contacts