Facing an extended land use review process, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus has begun planning for temporary student housing and classroom space on Bend’s west side should the university be unable to open its new campus by fall 2015.

The announcement follows a decision by the Bend City Council to send the university’s site plan for the initial phase of its expansion to a hearings officer in anticipation of an appeal.

Opposition to OSU-Cascades’ proposed 56-acre campus, which is located near the Southwest Chandler Avenue and Century Drive roundabout, organized in March under the group Truth In Site. The group has opposed the location based on concerns over the impact on traffic and quality of life on the west side.

“While the 10-acre property is zoned for use as a university, we understand that the City of Bend has elevated the application review to a hearings officer in anticipation of an appeal,” said OSU-Cascades Vice President Becky Johnson in a statement. “The elevated process and any appeals will extend the campus development timeline beyond the initial estimate.”

For more on this developing story, pick up a copy of The Bulletin on Tuesday.