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Public commenters urge tree protection at Murphy's Crossing and Ponderosa and propose climate measures including a tool-lending library and e-bike program
Summary
Sherry told the committee that developers at Murphy's Crossing and a Ponderosa subdivision declined to provide tree inventories or preservation plans required under the new tree code; she asked the committee to investigate.
Two people used the committee's public comment period to press local climate and conservation priorities.
Sherry, who identified herself as active with the TreeCode process and as a member of the Southwest Bend Neighborhood District board, said the developer for Murphy's Crossing and a second developer for a Ponderosa subdivision on Highway 97 are declining to follow the recently adopted Bend tree code. Sherry said she reviewed correspondence between the developer and city staff in which the developer told staff the tree-code requirements "are not clear and objective" and that complying would be "unduly burdensome, creating a barrier to affordable housing," and therefore the applicant would not submit a tree preservation plan or a tree inventory. Sherry said the Murphy Road site had previously supported a continuous stand of trees that has largely been removed for new RV park and apartment construction and estimated the removed trees totaled about "958 inches DBH" across trees on site; she calculated that preserving 20% of that inventory would save roughly 14 average 14-inch trees.
The committee chair and staff encouraged Sherry to submit her materials to staff and to request a future agenda item so the committee could consider the matter; staff also recommended Sherry meet with the chair and vice chair through the committee's agenda-setting process.
John Halen, who said he is starting a tool-lending library in Central Oregon (C0Tool.org), used his comment to highlight a set of climate and community priorities from the CCAP. Halen urged denser building to reduce vehicle miles traveled and argued that new construction can be greener than some retrofits. He suggested the city consider bulk e-bike purchases to expand affordable micromobility, supported direct investment in bike and pedestrian infrastructure rather than only painted bike lanes, and urged the committee to develop a tree-planting program; he also said he had submitted a plan to the city council.
Committee members told both commenters they could submit materials by email and noted the committee's engagement process — staff said they could bring the items forward for discussion at a future meeting if requested.
