BEND, OR -- Bend City Councilors will hear public testimony Wednesday, on whether Troy Field should be home to a new hotel, or remain a venue for public events. The Bend-La Pine School District owns the nearly one-acre property on Bond Street between Kansas and and Louisiana Avenues. They have an agreement to sell to a Portland developer of boutique hotels, for $1.9 million, with proceeds to fund district construction projects.
The property is zoned for a hotel, but is also designated for public facilities in the city’s general plan. The school district says it cannot do the deal unless the public designation tag is dropped by the city council.
An independent hearings officer recently ruled that a hotel could be built on the grass field, but recommended against the code change, citing the loss of public events that are held at Troy Field.
Wednesday's hearing will result in what is termed a “quasi-judicial” amendment zone change. Testimony will be limited to three minutes per individual. The special meeting begins at 4 p.m. at City Hall. Councilors are expected to rule on the proposal at the conclusion of the hearing.
