Planning commission backs OSU Cascades overlay changes, flags Parks & Rec access issue for council

The Bend Planning Commission on March 24 recommended City Council approve a set of text amendments to the OSU Cascades overlay zone — changes that realign the Innovation Way roadway, adjust subdistrict boundaries, allow larger prototyping/manufacturing spaces and increase a maximum building height in the Innovation District from 65 feet to 85 feet — but the commission attached two changes of its own and asked council to address an outstanding access issue raised by Bend Park & Recreation District (BPRD).

City staff and the university said the amendments are intended to make the overlay more flexible for university-led development and private partners in a planned Innovation District, help balance site grading and remediation, and allow lab/prototyping spaces that require taller floor-to-floor heights and extra mechanical space. ‘‘One of the amendments is to increase the maximum building height to 85 feet,’’ a city planner said, adding the increase is aimed chiefly at floor-to-floor height and mechanical needs for lab and prototype buildings rather than adding more occupiable floors.

OSU Cascades representatives described the Innovation District as an area for…