Frequently Asked Questions
What is a comprehensive plan?
- A comprehensive plan is a document prepared by a city or county in Oregon to provide a generalized, big-picture look at existing and future land use.
- A comprehensive plan consists of background information, goals and policies and land use map(s).
Why is a comprehensive plan done?
- • To provide background information on past trends and policies (where have we been).
- • To provide analysis of existing conditions and trends (where are we now).
- • To reflect the community’s vision for future growth and conservation (where are we going).
- • To provide direction to property owners, developers and the community.
- • Provide a basis for implementing measures, such as zoning codes.
- • To are required by State Statute 197.175 (2).
What is the history of Comprehensive Planning in Deschutes County?
- The current plan was written in 1979, as part of the statewide planning initiative required by Senate Bill 100 in 1973.
- The current plan was acknowledged by the state in 1981.
- Periodic review of the Deschutes Comprehensive Plan began in 1988 and was completed in 2003.
- Besides periodic review, the plan has been amended over time to reflect changing conditions or to add updated factual information (e.g. new population numbers).
- The plan has also been amended over time at the request of property owners (map changes).
Why change the comprehensive plan now?
- Periodic review amendments only covered areas where the plan needed to be brought into compliance with change to state rules and laws.
- Many chapters contain outdated information and do not reflect current conditions, trends or thinking.
- Updating has occurred piecemeal with changes made at different times, for different reasons, by different people, using different styles.
- Deschutes County is one of the fastest-growing counties in U.S.
- Updateing the plan will determine if existing plan goals and policies are still consistent with residents’ land use values.
- Population census projects more than 100,000 residents are expected to move into the county by 2030.
What is involved in updating the current comprehensive plan?
- The update is called Comprehensive Plan 2030.
- Staff and agency partners will compile and analyze technical information and trends.
- Plan 2030 will involve opportunity for the public to comment on the existing goals and policies as well as new goals and policies that reflect current community values.
- Plan 2030 is guided by the steering committee who report and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption.
- Comprehensive Plan 2030 will reflect the current community values for agriculture, wildlife, forest lands, water, energy and social and economic trends.
