County outlines Transportation System Plan priorities; Juniper Canyon access, roundabout and wildfire safe‑space proposals flagged for public meetings

County planners updated the Board of Commissioners on the draft Transportation System Plan (TSP) and on Juniper Canyon access and wildfire‑safety proposals, and scheduled public outreach in late August and fall hearings.

Staff said the TSP is a countywide 20‑year document; public input identified the most pressing local project as the State Highway 126/Powell Butte Highway intersection by the post office. Planners described a proposed single‑lane roundabout estimated at about $3.5 million and said the Hidden Canyon Destination Resort developer is contractually obligated to fund most of that improvement under prior conditions once a later phase of the development is triggered. Staff said the developer’s funding obligation does not trigger until a future phase (reported as the phase after the current application); planners expressed concern the county cannot wait that long and will seek to negotiate timing or other options.

The Juniper Canyon portion of the TSP drew a wider range of public views. Staff presented multiple alternatives including widening Juniper Canyon Road (cost estimates between roughly $57 million and $123 million), and a north‑end alternative off Davis Loop (W‑01A) estimated between about $9 million and $20 million. Staff said W‑01A is the consultant’s preferred option because it improves emergency access and congestion at lower cost and uses a route already associated with the recently recorded Grand Ridge subdivision plat.

Survey responses showed split public opinion about whether to support a new access route that requires local taxes or revenue (about one‑third yes, one‑third no, one‑third other). Respondents favored grant funding where possible; system development charges (SDCs) and general funds ranked higher than a local improvement district as funding sources. Staff cautioned that grant funding is limited and that local developer contributions or targeted revenue sources may be necessary.

Staff also described a three‑part wildfire approach for Juniper Canyon: (1) alternative access options (including a potential southern, seasonal evacuation route that would require engineering and environmental work), (2) identification of "safe spaces" on county‑owned or BLM land (staff noted five 40‑acre parcels being considered), and (3) coordinated fuels reduction and fire‑line work with the Bureau of Land Management to create defensible buffers around subdivisions. Fire marshal Russ Boot is expected to present lessons learned from the recent Highland Fire at an Aug. 20 community meeting planned from 6–8 p.m. at Cary Foster Hall.

Schedule and next steps: staff said the planning commission will hold a work session and a hearing (work session month earlier; hearing Sept. 24) and the board will consider the final TSP on Oct. 1 and Oct. 15. Staff scheduled a public meeting on Juniper Canyon for Aug. 20 to present options, cost estimates and wildfire planning and to solicit resident input.

Ending: County staff said additional engineering, drone mapping and consultant analysis are needed to refine costs and funding options; the TSP can be amended later to add detailed alternatives once cost and feasibility data are developed.