A plan to build more than two dozen apartment units in a southwest Bend neighborhood has stirred up traffic and urban-density concerns among residents living near the proposed site.

But the Bend-based construction company seeking to build the apartments says it has done studies and analysis to address potential impacts and is fulfilling a need for housing in the area.

Billie Klein, a 77-year-old retiree who lives on SW Summer Lake Place near the proposed development, said about 25 residents attended a neighborhood meeting at her home Tuesday evening. The living room quickly became crowded.

“I didn’t even know I could sit that many,” said Klein. “Needless to say there’s quite a bit of interest.”

Toney Construction Co. LLC plans to build 28 apartment units on a 1.6-acre lot at the eastern end of SW Summer Lake Place and Maricopa Drive, near the Bend Parkway. The company has not filed an application with the city. A community meeting must first take place to discuss the project.

TJ Toney, owner of the construction company, said he understands if some object to the project but also said, “We want to be good neighbors and have a good project and have everyone be happy with it.”

City zoning lists the neighborhood as an urban medium density residential area. According to the city’s planning division, the apartments would be allowed for that zoning.

Klein said residents are concerned the apartments are not in line with the quiet, single-family houses that make up the neighborhood. She said residents worry about greater congestion when turning onto SW Reed Market Road and are also concerned about sewer and water usage.

“It’s a typical land-use issue. We’re all going to go review (the project) and get a better understanding of what he’s trying to do,” said Klein, about the community meeting, which is scheduled at 1 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Deschutes Public Library.

Toney said the community meeting will provide information to residents and will be an opportunity to receive feedback. He said the company plans to take into consideration the neighborhood input as it designs the project.

Toney also said he had a traffic impact study done as well as an analysis of water and sewer usage. The company plans to create more than the required amount of parking spaces for the units, he said.

“We’re not requesting any zone changes or anything,” said Toney. “We’re going to do what is currently allowed.”

The project will include 22 two-bedroom apartments and six smaller one-bedroom units. Toney said the smaller apartments are being envisioned as living spaces for people who might work in the Old Mill District and might not want to have a roommate.

Residents who live near the proposed site received letters informing them of the project and of the community meeting. Most of the neighborhood homes are occupied by families, Klein said. A preliminary meeting between the company and the city occurred in May to discuss the application process.

— Reporter: 541-617-7820,

tshorack@bendbulletin.com