Council keeps OSU Cascades overlay amendment record open, sets timetable for written submissions and deliberation

At the continued quasi‑judicial public hearing on a proposed development code text amendment related to the Oregon State University (OSU) ASPE overlay district, council agreed to leave the written record open to permit parties to finalize an outstanding agreement regarding access and easement issues and to set a schedule for written submissions and council deliberation.

City attorney and planning staff explained state land‑use law requires parties an opportunity to respond when new written evidence is accepted into the record. OSU Cascades and the Bend Park and Recreation District reported they were close to agreements about existing easements and future property relations but had not finalized all terms. Counsel suggested a timetable that closes oral testimony, leaves the written record open until August 13, provides a one‑week response period (through August 19) for parties to comment on new materials and then returns applicant rebuttal by September 2 so council can deliberate on September 3. The applicant agreed to waive any additional final written argument that would otherwise extend the timetable.

Council closed the oral public testimony portion of the hearing and adopted the timeline described by staff: written record open until August 13 (close of business), parties may respond through August 19, and council planned deliberation in early September pending receipt of final materials.

Action: Council left the written record open under the announced schedule and will resume deliberation once the response windows close and the applicant’s waived rebuttal timeline is satisfied.