On August 9th and August 17th we will be giving an update on Bend's UGB proposal.

A new report shows the extreme rate at which we are losing natural areas to development in the American West.

Listen to a radio interview with Central Oregon LandWatch's Advocacy Programs Manage about housing affordability and Bend's Urban Growth Boundary.

This afternoon the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Steering Committee, which consists of the Bend City Council and representatives from the Bend Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners, approved a package of recommendations for Bend’s UGB expansion and associated growth management policies.                 

In its reporting for the last meeting of the Citizen's Advisory Committee for the Central Westside Plan, which aims to emphasize biking, walking and mixed-use projects in areas that are currently nonresidential, The Bulletin interviewed LandWatch's Moey Newbold, a member of the committee.

First time homebuyers are not necessarily interested in high density cookie cutter homes in the new developments on the outskirts of town. Living closer to work and access to amenities are modern values often overlooked. 

Can the momentum of sprawl be halted? America's zoning laws, intended to control the baneful effects of industry, have mutated, in the view of one architecture critic, into a system that corrodes civic life, outlaws the human scale, defeats tradition and authenticity, and confounds our yearning for an everyday environment worthy of our affection.

The integration of land use and transportation systems can have a big impact on how far people have to drive every day, and whether or not they use alternative forms of transportation. 

Yesterday afternoon, the group of public officials guiding the Urban Growth Boundary process voted unanimously to approve the initial map for Bend's boundary expansion. 

Dewey and Schueler worked with other westside landowners to come to an agreement dubbed the “Westside Transect,” which addresses wildlife, wildfire, and transportation concerns. 

LandWatch's Outreach & Communications Coordinator wrote about the biggest local, national, and international victories of 2015 for The Source Weekly.

LandWatch's Outreach & Communications Coordinator wrote about the biggest local, national, and international victories of 2015 for The Source Weekly.

The Source Weekly gave its "Glass Slipper" to the Urban Growth Boundary Steering Committee this week.

The 2015 fire season was worse than any on record, and summertime temperatures are steadily escalating.

We believe Scenario 2.1 (pictured below) comes the closest to addressing our community values of preventing urban sprawl, protecting wildlife habitat, sustaining vibrant neighborhoods, and achieving balanced growth, but a few modifications are necessary to make Bend even better.

Choose one of two opportunities to learn how the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) will impact your quality of life.
 

This article from The Bulletin includes a table with all of the property owners who might be included in an urban growth boundary expansion.