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bendscna.org

July Contents

Comment Period for 312 Apartments and Mixed Use at Box Factory
SCNA Transportation Team Volunteers
Bend Vision Project Survey
Council Considers Home Energy Score
Survey Reveals Strong Support for Deschutes South Canyon as Parkland
SCNA Board Meeting

Comment Period for 312 Apartments and Mixed Use at Box Factory

The application for a large mixed-use development adjacent to the Box Factory has been revised and is advancing through the planning process. A 7-story structure would include 18,250 square feet of commercial space, 312 residential units, and a number of site amenities.

The updated application, plans, and other documents can be viewed at the planning application web page. A recording of the January 19 presentation can be viewed here.

Public comments are being taken through July 22, 2022. Download the notice here. Comments must reference the project number PLSPR20220228, and can be emailed to Karen Swenson at kswenson@bendoregon.gov or mailed to City of Bend Planning Division, 710 NW Wall St, Bend, Oregon 97703.

SCNA Transportation Team Volunteers

Are you frustrated with the growing vehicular traffic in our neighborhood? Do you want better pedestrian and bicycle access and safety? Be a part of the new Southern Crossing Transportation Team. Transportation planning in Bend is currently done in a piecemeal fashion, primarily through land use decisions. There is no coordination between the different proposed developments and the impacts they have on their neighborhoods. We want to change that and come up with a vision and plan for OUR neighborhood. We will then work with the City Council, transportation providers, businesses, residents and adjacent neighborhoods on solutions. Please email hello@bendscna.org for more information or to volunteer.

Bend Vision Project Survey

The Envision Bend nonprofit organization is overseeing an inclusive process to craft a Vision and Action Plan to improve the lives of all who call the greater Bend area home. Community input is vital in ensuring this Vision and Action Plan represents the priorities of people in the community. To offer your thoughts about community values, challenges and solutions, please complete the survey below. People who complete the survey can enter themselves into prize drawings held every two weeks by Envision Bend. Prizes include concert tickets, restaurant gift cards, and outdoor excursions. A final drawing will award the winners with large cash donations to make to local nonprofits. For more information, see their website at envisionbend.org.

Take Bend Vision Survey

Council Considers Home Energy Score

The City of Bend is seeking feedback on a proposed a Home Energy Score Program to improve transparency around the energy cost of homes and encourage energy-efficient homes.

A Home Energy Score is a rating that assesses a home’s energy efficiency. Like a miles-per-gallon rating for a vehicle, a home energy score provides information about how efficiently a home uses energy which can inform a buyer’s purchase decision. The proposed program would require that homes listed for sale obtain a Home Energy Score prior to listing. The homeowner or their realtor would share the energy scorecard with prospective buyers.

There are several ways the community can learn more and provide input. Information and a feedback form can be found on the project webpage. Community members are also invited to listen and share public comments during Environment and Climate Committee meetings. The committee is expected to recommend the program to the City Council in the fall, and if the proposal goes to the City Council for consideration, the public could provide input at City Council meetings.

Download a Frequently Asked Questions document here.

Survey Reveals Strong Support for Deschutes South Canyon as Parkland

Several Neighborhood Associations recently conducted the Deschutes South Canyon Use Survey to learn how residents and visitors currently use this area and to get their thoughts on its future. The survey garnered responses from 2,039 people with an overwhelming majority favoring preserving the land as parkland.

74.2% supported Bend Park and Recreation District (BPRD) creating a new natural area park, similar to Shevlin Park, on the property. An additional 14.7% said they might support this effort.
81.1% thought BPRD funds should help with the purchase.
71.6% said they would support a bond measure to help fund the purchase.

Located in southwest Bend between Brookswood Boulevard and the Deschutes River, the land is currently owned by the Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) where it operates a piped canal and power station. COID plans to sell a major portion of the property for development. The property is Bend’s largest remaining open space by the Deschutes River, and has been used as a natural recreation area by thousands of residents and visitors for many years.

To learn more about efforts to protect the trails and habitat of the Deschutes South Canyon, visit the Save Bend Green Space website at savebendgreenspace.org.

Next SCNA Board Meeting
Thursday July 21, 5-7 pm

This month's agenda topics include: revised Box Factory development application, Neighborhood Street Safety Program update, 2022 general meeting, and more.

All neighbors in Southern Crossing NA are welcome to attend board meetings. Currently, all meetings are being held via Zoom. Please email register@bendscna.org by noon on the day before the meeting to request a Zoom invitation.

If you would like to request time on the agenda to address the board, please email chair@bendscna.org at least 2 days prior to the meeting.

Future Meetings
Thursday August 18, 5-7 pm
Thursday September 15, 5-7 pm

Learn more about Southern Crossing Neighborhood Association meetings, including minutes from past meetings, on our website.