The Board of County Commissioners will host a public hearing on the Work Plan on Wednesday, May 31 at 9 a.m. The public hearing will be held remotely online and in-person at the Deschutes Services Building, which is located at 1300 NW Wall Street in Bend.
“Public input shapes the Department’s work plan each year. It really makes a difference,” said Community Development Director Peter Gutowsky.
The plan outlines the department’s anticipated projects and goals for the coming year, including the following highlights:
- Sustaining high customer service levels while adjusting to staff retention and recruitment challenges.
- Providing construction plan reviews, consultation and inspection services throughout the rural county and the cities of La Pine and Sisters.
- Investigating code violation complaints to ensure compliance with land use, onsite wastewater disposal, building and solid waste codes.
- Regulating on-site wastewater treatment systems (septic) to assure compliance with state rules, and monitors environmental factors for public health and resource protection.
- Addressing housing opportunities through collaboration with cities, our county’s property manager, and exploring rural housing strategies as allowed by State law.
- Amending the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code to implement SB 391, Rural Accessory Dwelling Unit legislation.
- Amending the Deschutes County Comprehensive Plan to incorporate new existing conditions, goals, and policies.
- Amending the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code to incorporate a new mule deer wildlife habitat inventory.
- Coordinating with Bend, Redmond, Sisters and La Pine on growth management projects, including comprehensive plan updates and urban growth boundary amendments.
- Updating the County Transportation System Plan in coordination with the Road Department and implementing a Sisters Country rural trails plan.
For more information about the work plan process or the public hearing, please call (541) 385-1709. Written feedback about the draft Work Plan can be submitted via email to peter.gutowsky@deschutes.org.