Deschutes County approves one-year safe-parking ground lease for Mountain View Community Development by 2-1 vote

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 on Wednesday to approve a 12-month ground lease with Mountain View Community Development for roughly 0.25 acres at the county Public Safety Campus to host a safe-parking site for people living in vehicles.

The lease, identified in the meeting as document 2025-582, allows Mountain View to operate a safe-parking program on the corner of the campus and use micro-shelters with case management to support participants working toward housing stability. Commissioners approved the lease with an amendment requiring a 90-day report back to the board after placement of the first participant.

County property-management staff said the organization completed an extended neighbor-notification process and reached fencing agreements with adjacent property owners; Mountain View and county staff said the program would provide a legally sanctioned, sanitary site and a case manager for participants. Christie Bolinger, Deschutes County Property Management, presented the lease and answered commissioners’ questions. Rick Russell, representing the provider, described the program model and the 90-day check-in.

Supporters and at least one commissioner highlighted Mountain View’s prior performance in Redmond and cited safety and fire-risk reasons for adding sanctioned parking in more parts of the county. Commissioner Adair moved approval of the ground lease and asked that the 90-day review be written into the motion; Commissioner Chang seconded the motion. Commissioner Chang and Commissioner Dyer voted yes. Chair DeBoehn cast the lone no vote. The board did not record an abstention.

The lease is for 12 months and includes the 90-day operational review the board added as part of the motion. County staff and the applicant said state funding requires a June 30 work timeline for some electrical and unit-setup contracts; staff said the city of Bend review is still required after county approval for some elements of the project.

The county noted the site will remain subject to the city permitting process where applicable and that Mountain View will absorb most fencing costs agreed with neighbors. Staff said Mountain View has continued invitations to neighbors for additional briefings and that no one recently had accepted the invitation. Commissioners framed the vote as an incremental approach to address unhoused encampments and to expand services beyond neighborhoods that have concentrated operations in recent years.

The board’s action: the ground lease with Mountain View Community Development for safe parking at the Public Safety Campus was approved, with a 90-day operational report back after the first placement. The motion passed 2-1.

Looking ahead, staff said Mountain View will coordinate required city permitting and return at the 90-day check-in to report operations and any neighborhood issues or adjustments.