Council to revisit short‑term rental concentration in CN zone; schedules follow‑up on state housing law impacts

Councilor Mike Riley asked the Bend City Council on Nov. 5 to reopen a year‑old, tabled item about applying residential concentration limits for short‑term rentals to three legacy parcels in the CN neighborhood‑commercial zone.

Riley told colleagues the matter was originally delayed amid other heavy agenda items and should be finished; staff and several councilors said the item could be efficiently included in the spring housing/code package so it can complete appropriate noticing and planning‑commission review. The specific request is narrow: to apply the existing short‑term rental concentration limits that apply to underlying residential zones to the three CN parcels that predate more recent zoning changes.

Councilor Gina Franzosa and others flagged a broader concern: state housing law changes (SB 8 and HB 3395) and recent development patterns appear to be converting neighborhood commercial land into residential‑only development in some areas. Franzosa asked staff to present options for protecting neighborhood commercial and achieving “complete communities” and suggested that advocacy with the state delegation might be warranted.

Staff said the narrow CN/three‑parcel item could be added to the spring housing code package and that a broader policy work session could be scheduled to examine the interplay between state law and local policy. Mayor Keebler indicated she would raise the state‑law question with the city’s legislative delegation and bring any suggested paths for state or local action back to council.

No ordinance or final rule was adopted on Nov. 5; council direction was procedural—to include the specific CN item in the next housing code package and to schedule additional discussion on broader policy questions.

— Sources: Council discussion, Nov. 5, 2025 meeting; staff comments on permitting and code process.