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By Emily Boyd, Bend Chamber Government Affairs Manager
Recently, Bend City Council approved a shared framework with Bend Park & Recreation District aimed at strengthening collaboration on affordable housing, recreation access, infrastructure and community development.
The framework outlines several opportunities for the agencies to work together, including streamlining approval processes for affordable housing, exploring potential reductions or waivers of park system development charges (SDCs) and better coordinating long-term planning and infrastructure investments. While these strategies will require further evaluation and, in some cases, separate approvals, the framework represents an important step toward more coordinated and predictable decision-making.
For Bend businesses, access to housing that workers can afford remains critical to attracting and retaining employees. The Bend Chamber appreciates both agencies' commitment to collaboration and their willingness to explore practical solutions that support housing affordability while preserving the parks, trails and amenities that contribute to Bend's quality of life.
