Bend City Council/Neighborhood District meeting - 3/12/2026 5:30pm

The Bend City Council and Neighborhood District meeting held on March 12, 2026, focused primarily on the city's long-range growth planning and infrastructure development in Southeast Bend. City staff presented on the population growth, urban growth boundary expansions, and the state's housing mandates requiring the city to plan for 34,000 new dwelling units over the next 20 years, including affordable housing for lower-income residents. Significant public investments in infrastructure such as sewer systems, transportation corridors, and bikeways were highlighted, along with ongoing and planned capital improvement projects like roundabouts and a major rail overcrossing. The council also discussed recent legislative changes protecting commercial land and efforts to incentivize commercial development in the area. Neighborhood representatives and councilors engaged in discussions about wildfire safety, evacuation preparedness, and community resources, emphasizing the need for neighborhood involvement and city support in mitigation efforts. The meeting concluded with an invitation for public input on future planning efforts and infrastructure projects, underscoring the city's commitment to collaborative growth management and community engagement.