BEND, OR -- An open house is planned for this week to discuss future developments at the Stevens Road Tract in southeast Bend. Senior Planner Damian Syrnyk says it’s time to gather in person after more than two years of work on the 261-acre parcel, "Communicate to folks: here’s what we’re proposing. Some of it may not be really exciting, but it’s critical, like comprehensive plan policies, map changes."

He tells KBND News, "But also just get questions answered and feedback about everything from road alignments to whether we have enough housing, too much housing. We’re looking at establishing a green loop trail system within the tract, getting some feedback on what that might look like." Syrnyk adds, "One of the things I get asked a lot about the Stevens Road tract is about transportation. So, we want to take this opportunity to talk about improvements to Stevens Road, Ferguson Road. But also be able to answer questions about what projects the city will be doing and what other projects another developer will be working on, related to the property to the west, which is the Stevens Ranch Master Plan."

He says the end goal is to adjust the comprehensive plan and development code for the property’s owner: Oregon’s Department of State Lands, "So when they surplus the Stevens Road tract, it can be conveyed to a developer who can then develop a master plan for future development of housing, some commercial, some employment."

The open house is Thursday at Caldera High School from 5 to 7 p.m. For more on the proposed planing amendments and other work on the tract, click HERE. Written comments will also be accepted through December sixth, when City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments.