Bend planning commission recommends Emblem site-specific TIF plan to city council

The Bend Planning Commission on Monday voted to recommend that the City Council approve the Emblem site-specific tax increment finance (TIF) plan, a proposal to use tax-increment rebates and limited SDC (system development charge) coverage to encourage housing development on an 8.38-acre site in southeast Bend.

The commission's recommendation came after a staff presentation and discussion; the motion to recommend approval was made and seconded and carried with commissioners voting in favor. The commission's action is a recommendation to City Council, which will hold public hearings and make the final decision.

The Emblem site is described in the staff report as located near Ferguson Road and Southeast 27th Avenue (parcel referenced as 6161105 Ferguson Road) and is zoned medium- and high-density residential. Staff identified blighted conditions relevant to ORS 457 criteria as infrastructure deficiencies and long-term underuse of the land. The plan identifies a maximum indebtedness figure of $22,100,000, a plan term of 26 years and a rebate timeline of 24 years; the current assessed value cited in the staff report is $101,000.

Urban renewal manager Jonathan Taylor,…