LandWatch Defeats 65-Acre Spot Zone Near Tumalo State Park

Destined for Defeat

LandWatch’s Rural Lands team recently won a case challenging Deschutes County’s decision to rezone 65 acres of irrigated farmland before Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). This property, dubbed “Destiny Court,” is located off of OB Riley Road and sits right above the Deschutes River as it flows through Tumalo State Park. 

This proposed rezone would have converted this land into a luxury rural residential subdivision outside Bend’s urban growth boundary. LUBA’s decision in favor of LandWatch sets valuable precedent, making it more burdensome for counties to rezone farmland for rural sprawl. 

This outcome follows many years of advocacy by Staff Attorney Carol Macbeth for proper interpretation of Goal 3 and Goal 14 and protection of this irrigated farmland.

The Deschutes River flowing through Tumalo State Park.

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