The City of Bend and the Bend Neighborhood Associations work closely together to learn about the issues facing Bend community members.

The City of Bend and the Bend Neighborhood Associations are partners. City leaders are eager to learn about the issues facing neighborhoods throughout Bend and Neighborhood Associations can achieve successes for members within their boundaries by working closely with City officials.

The City shows its commitment to Neighborhood Associations by formally recognizing them in the City’s Code and offering annual funding for Association activities.

Each year, the City requires that Neighborhood Associations wishing to continue with formal recognition submit an annual report describing their activities and accounting for the use of reimbursement funds.

The best way to maintain good City-Association relationships is to get in touch early and often with City staff and City Councilors and work together on solutions and approaches to issues facing your neighborhood.

GENERAL MEETINGS

In Bend Code (Chapter 1.70 Neighborhood Associations) sets forth that each Neighborhood Association must hold an annual open general meeting for all members of the Association. The Bend Code states that the City may terminate its recognition of any Neighborhood Association that hasn’t held a general membership meeting in the past 18 months.

At a general meeting the following topics are often addressed:

• Updates or presentations on major issues facing the neighborhood
• Announcements about neighborhood association committees, events or projects
• Election of officers and other key positions
• Other important votes for the Neighborhood Association

In addition to the required general meetings, many associations hold a monthly board meeting of the Association leadership, plus any guests that may be helpful to them. Monthly meetings are not required by Bend Code, but they are essential to operating the Association effectively.

THE ASSOCIATION’S ROLE IN LAND USE DECISIONS

The Bend Code states that Neighborhood Association members must be included in decisions being made about proposed land use changes within the borders of an association.

Applicants for zoning changes, conditional use permits, subdivision of lands and other activities are required to make a presentation at a publicly noticed meeting with the affected neighborhood. According to the Development Code, presentations must include a map of the affected area, a visual description of a proposed project, notification of any expected impacts of the project and efforts to mitigate those impacts.

These presentations are designed to help Neighborhood Association members and property owners gain the information they need to advocate for appropriate development of their neighborhoods. This knowledge can then allow Neighborhood Association leaders to organize members to respond to land use proposals and follow up through future meetings or public hearings.

Neighborhood Associations play a significant role in informing the community about and use planning in Bend.Neighborhood Association representatives often hear from the community that land use is difficult to understand. The City, in partnership with the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance, has launched a webpage full of educational resources to make land use easier to understand for Bendites. Learn about land use here!