Planning commission backs Stone Creek amendment to allow teacher housing on school site

The Bend Planning Commission on March 24 recommended that City Council approve a text amendment to the Stone Creek Master Plan that would redesignate 1.11 acres of school-overlay land on the Silver Rail School property to multi-unit residential.

The change, which the commission approved by voice vote, would not alter the master plan text itself but would modify the plan figure to allow multi-unit housing on the small portion of school-owned land. The school district has a contract with Habitat for Humanity to develop affordable homeownership targeted in part to district employees.

Staff said the amendment does not change the underlying medium-density residential zoning (RM) for the parcel and that the amendment is consistent with the comprehensive plan and statewide planning goals. ‘‘They are requesting to change it from that school overlay to multi unit residential,’’ a city planner told commissioners, noting the request covers only the 1.1-acre site and that water, sewer and transportation capacity memos have been submitted and reviewed by the city.

Habitat for Humanity representatives said their current early design shows 18 units in duplex-style structures, with 8 units reserved for school district employees and 8 units to be deed‑restricted at up to 120% of area median income (AMI). ‘‘8 of the units will be dedicated to school district employees, and 8 of the units will be up to 120% AMI,’’ Grace Wagner, vice president of construction for Bend‑Redmond Habitat, said during the meeting.

City attorney staff provided rough AMI figures for context. ‘‘The area median income for a household of 4 was around $104,000–$105,000,’’ an attorney in the city attorney’s office said; using that figure, staff said 80% AMI would be roughly $84,000 and 120% AMI about $125,000 for a household of four.

Two neighbors spoke in opposition during the public-comment portion, citing tree loss, wildlife impacts and neighborhood character. ‘‘There’s a lot of trees that are right behind their home…they love the trees and it’s a beautiful backyard,’’ Cathy Sadik said, adding neighbors worry about loss of privacy and habitat. City staff said the site would be subject to the city’s tree-preservation code and that site-plan review would address tree removal and replacement as the project advances.

If the plan figure amendment is approved by council, applicants must still complete a partition to create the separate parcel and a subsequent site‑plan review application before building can begin. The commission’s motion recommended approval ‘‘as presented in Exhibit A with the findings as recommended by staff in Exhibit B.’’ The motion passed by voice vote.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation goes to the City Council for final action on the figure amendment. If council approves, later permitting steps — partition and site‑plan review — will set final unit counts, layout and tree‑preservation measures.

Votes at a glance Motion: Recommend City Council approve the Stone Creek Master Plan Text Amendment as presented in Exhibit A, with staff findings in Exhibit B. Mover: Commissioner Scott Winters. Second: Commissioner Aaron Lennon. Outcome: Recommended for approval (commission voice vote).