Three out of eight zoning changes recommended by the North Bend Planning Commission were accepted by the North Bend City Council, but most, including two requested by local citizens, were rejected after a frank discussion about the future of the city and public feedback. The overall result was a preservation of low-density residential zoning, with one exception of three properties on the east side of Southeast Orchard Drive.

Among the amendments considered for the 2016 update to the city’s comprehensive plan approved by the council were :

• A planning commission recommendation to change Park Street from High-density Residential (HDR) to Downtown Commercial (DC);

• A recommendation to rezone three properties on the east side of Southeast Orchard Drive from Low-density Residential (LDR) to HDR;

• A recommendation from the City Council to create a new Constrained Low-density Residential zone, limiting properties within the city’s floodplain or floodway to development of two units per acre. Much of the affected land is outside city limits

Amendments discussed and rejected included:

• A recommendation to rezone properties on the north side of Fourth Street between Bendigo and Ballarat from Neighborhood Business (NB) to Downtown Commercial;

• A citizen request and planning commission recommendation to rezone properties on the north side of North Bend Way, between the entry to Torguson Park and Thrasher Avenue, from LDR to HDR with a limited commercial overlay;

• A citizen request to change the zoning on properties on the south side of 140th, from NB to LDR;

• A commission recommendation to rezone properties adjacent to the above from NB to Employment Park 2;

• A recommendation to rezone all Cottage Residential properties between North Bend Way and Cedar Falls Way to HDR.

Council members were emphatic in their reasons, even when they disagreed. Ryan Kolodejchuk opposed a change on 140th to Neighborhood Business, saying he felt it would lower the property owners’ values.

Jeanne Pettersen, who later conceded on the rezone, said, “I think what the planning commission proposed is more compatible with the future.”

On the proposed change from low- to high-density residential on North Bend Way, both Jonathan Rosen and David Cook noted that many members of the public had commented on it.

“Every resident on that property has come to us opposed to that change,” said Rosen.

“They want to keep it LDR,” agreed Cook. “Nobody seemed to want apartments there.”

The amendments will become a part of the city’s 2016 comprehensive plan early next year, following public hearings on the plan changes and a council vote.