Bend planning commission approves second detached home at 659 NW Silver Buckle on 4-3 vote

The Bend Planning Commission voted 4-3 on May 12 to approve a waterway-overlay application allowing a second detached single-family dwelling at 659 Northwest Silver Buckle, subject to staff-recommended conditions and an amendment requiring stormwater facilities be set back 50 feet from the ordinary high-water mark.

The decision came after a quasi-judicial hearing in which staff, the city attorney and commissioners reviewed a record that city officials said closed on May 5. The application (PLDR 20240213) drew sustained discussion about which waterway setback applies, stormwater feasibility on a steep, compact site, and the removal of trees within the proposed footprint.

City Attorney Ian opened the session with a reminder about the hearing’s scope, saying, “the record is closed as of May 5,” and that the commission’s decision must be based on information already in the record. Planner Aaron summarized the record and the topics raised during the public-comment and post-hearing submission periods, noting the record included items on stormwater, fire code, riparian setbacks and vehicle access. “Some of the main topics that were covered in that open record period included stormwater, fire code, the setback requirements from the river … as well as, further clarification and testimony regarding vehicle access,” Aaron said.

Why it matters: the property sits inside a waterway overlay zone intended to conserve riparian and scenic…