Either voluntarily or by enforcement, we call on Deschutes County to honor that covenant by ending its practice of spot zoning.

Originally published as a Guest Column in the Bend Bulletin on 08/27/2025.

Ryder Redfield is a Central Oregon original. Born and between among the mountains, rivers, and wide-open skies, he carries the spirit of this place in everything he does.

Oregon’s 2025 legislative session is heading into its final weeks, and LandWatch is proud to report that it’s shaping up to be a good year for us in Salem.

Oregon’s land use planning system is hailed as a model for preserving its unique agricultural and forest landscapes while fostering sustainable growth.

Despite this, a troubling trend has emerged in recent years: spot zoning of farm and forest lands.