Advocates ask Bend to broaden neighborhood‑commercial code to help small, walkable businesses

Kristen Ridelberger of Central Oregon Land Watch asked the BDAB committee to recommend that City Council review the municipal code’s “neighborhood commercial” provisions and consider amendments, incentives and outreach to make small businesses easier to open in residential areas.

Ridelberger, identified herself as associate program manager for the Cities & Towns program at Central Oregon Land Watch, said the city’s existing neighborhood commercial subsection already recognizes and preserves historical neighborhood businesses, but that the code has not produced substantial new neighborhood commercial development: “The current code and description, reads neighborhood commercial sites within the residential districts are intended to provide pedestrian friendly access to goods and services convenient to nearby…