Planning commissioners approve one-year extension for Bear Creek PUD

The Hubbard Planning Commission voted to approve a one-year time extension for PUD202201, the Bear Creek unit development at 11985 Broadicridge Road SE, extending the deadline to record the project’s first phase from April 25, 2025, to April 25, 2026.

Holly, the contract city planner working with the city through the Midland Valley Council of Governments, told commissioners the applicant requested the extension before the project’s expiration and that the delay was “mostly due to seeking the right developer for this project, especially in consideration of market rates.” Holly said staff recommended approval because the request meets the extension criteria and there have been no substantive changes to code or to the approved plans.

Commissioners clarified that extension decisions are based on the code’s extension criteria rather than a reexamination of the original merits of the PUD. A remote participant identified as Steve said the property owner has continued marketing the site and that rising mortgage rates over the past two years slowed developer interest; he added that mortgage rates appear likely to decline over the coming year, which could improve prospects for moving the project forward.

Commissioner (Speaker 1) asked whether a recently built house and shop on or near the site would be removed. Steve replied that the existing structures have been on the site for some time and “the plans are to remove them when the property is developed,” but that the home could remain while development begins in other parts of the site.

A motion to approve the one-year extension was made and seconded; commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried. No formal conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes; the commission’s action is a recommendation to allow the applicant more time to record the project’s first phase within the one-year extension period.

The extension does not change the longer statutory recording windows: staff noted Oregon law provides applicants up to 10 years from an original decision to record remaining phases. The commission’s recommendation will be reflected in the decision record for the PUD.