Email City Counselors June 14 2017

June 14 2017

Mr. Abernethy, Ms. Campbell;

Thank you for the opportunity today to discuss Designated Forestland within the city limits of Bend.

Timber agricultural land as defined by the Bend Development Code is a non-permitted land use in  accordance with BDC zoning restrictions.

1.The Deschutes County Assessor can identify to the city all properties within the city limits that currently have a Designated Forestland classification. 

2 Owners of those properties should be notified by the city of the zoning violation.   The Deschutes County Assessor should also be notified in order for the assessor to disqualify the properties from the Designated Forestland classification.  

Designated Forestland properties exist in the UGB.  When they are brought into the city of Bend in the future there should be requirements established to notify the Deschutes County Assessor so that action is taken to disqualify them from the Designated Forestland Program.  Alternatively this may be established as an automatic disqualification by the county assessor.  The notification trigger should be the date that properties become officially subject to city zoning rules. 

The annual Deschutes County Assessor Report of Designated Forestland within the city of Bend (area code 1001) should be monitored by the city in the future to assure that there is none.  None is allowed by zoning restrictions.  

I would be pleased to work with the city Community Development Department on this matter.


Tim Lester
2098 NW Trenton
Bend 97703
541-948-5250
tlester@bendcable.com

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