Planning commission recommends denial of Union Master Plan over open-space and connectivity concerns

BEND, Ore. — The Bend Planning Commission voted Monday to recommend denial of a 45-acre master plan known as the Union Master Plan (PLSPD20250374), directing staff to forward the commission’s concerns to City Council for final decision.

Nicholas, an associate planner, opened the quasi-judicial hearing with staff’s findings and detailed criteria. The proposal from a private applicant would reconfigure existing plan designations on roughly 45 acres northwest of the Murphy/15th Street roundabout and, if approved, allow about 366 future dwelling units across a mix of housing types and a two-acre Mixed Employment (ME) area.

Staff identified multiple deviations requested by the applicant, notably a block-perimeter deviation where one block measures about 3,100 linear feet — exceeding the title 3 maximum of 2,000 feet. Staff recommended that the plan figures be amended to add a street to break that long block, concluding the deviation failed the code’s test for necessity and equivalence to the…