Value-driven Vision for Bend's growth - Brian Rankin, Long Range Planning Manager for Bend, Oregon

Brian Ladd is joined by Brian Rankin, the Long Range Planning Manager for the City of Bend, in our latest BendBeat episode. They explore the impact of Oregon's latest housing bill, which opens doors to more diverse and affordable housing options for Bend residents. While the city plays a role in helping fund affordable housing, given Bend's urgent housing needs, the state has stepped in to relax regulations on converting traditional homes into multi-family units (ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, etc.) to increase the supply of affordable, multi-family housing in Bend. Many of these new regulations were not permissible by the state before, so these significant changes are relatively new, and time will tell how it all plays out.

Rankin also delves into the concept of "complete communities," which is reshaping Bend's present and future neighborhoods. This idea, originally conceived by city planners in the 90s, is gradually becoming a reality. Its goal is to create neighborhoods with a blend of amenities that allow residents to live comfortably within their community without the need for extensive travel.

These topics and more are covered in this dynamic conversation that sheds light on how the city hopes to address Bend’s "growing pains" with a vision for developing a city for everyone.