BEND, OR -- Bend City Councilors will take public comment Wednesday, on how the city should proceed with implementing its new Urban Growth Boundary. The UGB was expanded by 2,300 acres about a year and a half ago. City Councilors asked for public input before giving direction for the growth strategy. 

City Manager Eric King says a formal area plan will determine the strategy for development, including how to bring in needed infrastructure, like roads. "Because those roads are fairly expensive, how do we come up with an agreement for the landowners that are in that expansion area to all chip in, and what can the city contribute with its resources to get some of that infrastructure in play. But, that’s going to take a little more time." He tells KBND News, "That area plan will probably take upwards of a year or so to get into the details of the financing plan, get agreement amongst the property owners – you know, everybody has an interest of how they can get the best return on their property. And, those properties have been earmarked for a specific use. Some are industrial, some are residential, some are multi-family, and we need to make sure those infrastructure costs are shared equitably." Written comment will also be accepted until 5 p.m. April 13.