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Commissioners adopt Cascades Academy zoning change despite chair opposition
Summary
The board approved second reading and adoption of ordinance 2026-005, amending county code and rezoning land to allow Cascades Academy expansion; two commissioners voted yes, the chair voted no. Concerns focused on lack of protections to ensure rezoned land is used for school purposes rather than rural residential development.
The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners adopted ordinance 2026-005 on March 11, 2026, approving a comprehensive plan amendment and zone change to allow Cascades Academy to expand. Nicole Mardell, principal planner with Deschutes County Community Development, described the application and noted that first reading occurred on Feb. 25 and the board previously voted 2–1 to approve the application. "The item before you is consideration of second reading of ordinance 2026-005, approving a comprehensive plan amendment and zone change for Cascades Academy," Mardell said.
Commissioners debated the need for protections to prevent future rural residential development on the rezoned land. The chair said she supported school expansion but expressed concern that no enforceable commitments were included to guarantee the land would be used for school purposes rather than residential lots. "My concern is that, within this rezone process, there were no protections instituted to ensure that these lands that are being rezoned are not going to be used for rural residential development instead of a school," the chair said.
Commissioner (Seat 3) moved to approve the second reading of ordinance 2026-005 by title only; Commissioner (Seat 2) seconded. The board voted with two yes votes and one no (the chair), and the ordinance was adopted.
Mardell said the application was first submitted in June 2024 and staff had prepared the suggested second-reading motion that appears in the packet. The record shows the board intends to allow Cascades Academy to pursue school-related development under the new plan and zoning designations; commissioners stressed they want clarity in future land-use steps about school-specific protections.
