BEND, OR -- Deschutes County commissioners tackled several development issues Wednesday. They approved the first reading of the Transportation System Plan, focused on County roads as well as bicycles, pedestrians, transit, and other modes through 2040. Commissioner Tony DeBone says it sets the county up to send a funding request to the legislature next year, “So, just acknowledging a lot of great projects in here, remember that, we've got a big, big number, big list of projects, safety improvements, capacity improvements.” The second reading for the new ordinance will be March 20^th.

Deschutes County will pursue an Environmental Protection Agency Grant that would put millions of dollars into South County projects. “There's a criterion that has to be met in terms of addressing clean air. So, there's building rehabilitation opportunities, NeighborImpact has been doing this for years in this region. So, there's some synergy there,” said Community Development Director Peter Gutowsky who told County Commissioners money might also be used for reducing wildfire fuels on private land.

Commissioners have been considering Fort Thompson Road as a potential site for a county-owned RV Campground. While they agreed to pursue a State Parks Grant, board chair Patti Adair expressed concern over zoning in that area off of Highway 97, “It really seems like in order to be successful with this project, we really need to work on the legislators to add the UGB on the north end of Bend in order to bring all this property in.”