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BEND, OR -- Oregon's Supreme Court ruled Thursday it will not hear an appeal by Truth in Site, challenging the new location for OSU-Cascades on Bend's west side. University officials declared the decision "a gift," following the Christmas Eve announcement.
The state's High Court was the last option for the opposition group that believes OSU should submit plans for expansion beyond the 10-acre parcel now under construction on Chandler Avenue. Justices weren't required to hear the case, and typically don't weigh-in on land use battles.
Truth in Site did not return our calls for comment. OSU-Cascades released the following statement, relating to the Supreme Court decision:
The last legal obstacle standing in the way of Oregon State University – Cascades’ development of a 10-acre campus in Bend was removed today when the Oregon State Supreme Court decided to not consider an appeal filed in opposition to the campus.
“We remained confident throughout this land use process that our site plan for the campus was sound,” said Becky Johnson, OSU-Cascades vice president. “This is great affirmation and a timely recognition.”
The Supreme Court decision to not consider the appeal was made public on Christmas Eve and marks the fifth decision in support of OSU-Cascades’ site development plan for the 10-acre campus on Bend’s west side. An independent hearings officer, the Bend City Council, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals and the Oregon Court of Appeals all previously ruled in favor of the plan.
“We are very grateful to the countless supporters in the community who have waited for this final approval,” Johnson said. “We are eager to move forward and fulfill the region's vision for a four-year university in Central Oregon,” Johnson said.
Construction of the 10-acre campus began in June and university officials anticipate the campus opening for classes in fall 2016.
