Neighbors press planning commission on second‑home proposal in Rimrock West; hearing continued for further evidence

BEND, Ore. — A public hearing that drew residents, engineers, lawyers and the city fire marshal ended without a final decision April 14 after the Bend Planning Commission continued the quasi‑judicial review for a proposed second detached single‑unit dwelling at 659 Northwest Silverbuckle.

The commission left the written record open under a 7‑7‑7 schedule (seven days for new written evidence, seven days for public rebuttal, followed by seven days for the applicant’s final rebuttal) and set a deliberation date of May 12. The commission also set a subsequent city council date for any final action.

Aaron Henson, planner for the planning division, introduced the project as a request to add a second detached dwelling on a 1.23‑acre site within the waterway overlay zone. Henson said the site extends to the river’s center line, contains wetlands, and touches multiple subzones with different setbacks and design review criteria — including a 50‑foot riparian setback and a 40‑foot design review setback in this stretch of the river.

Staff flagged numerous technical issues that apply at different stages. Henson said the project must comply with waterway overlay criteria about tree removal, riparian vegetation, area of special interest setbacks and floodplain provisions, and that some technical details (stormwater design, building‑code fire access) are typically addressed in the building‑permit review rather than the planning hearing.

“The failure to address an issue with sufficient specificity may preclude an appeal on that issue to the Land Use Board of Appeals,” Henson reminded the commission as part of the…