Subdivision proposed near Deschutes River Woods

A Bend developer plans to build more than 75 homes on 37 acres north of Deschutes River Woods, but faces hurdles before the project can break ground.

In December, Pahlisch Homes applied to the city of Bend for a master-planned development known as Petrosa on the Deschutes. The plan calls for 78 lots for single-family homes between River Rim Drive and the Deschutes River.

Aaron Henson, senior city planner, said the plan also called for public open space, including an extension of the Deschutes River Trail. Because of that, he said, residents on the west side of the Deschutes River have voiced concerns about losing privacy if the trail is extended.

Additionally, Henson said the application was deemed incomplete due to its lack of a traffic impact study, among other requirements. He added that the initial plan only called for one entrance to the subdivision, off of River Rim Drive. As a result, the city of Bend’s fire marshal requested more information on the development before the proposal can move forward, according to a letter from the city Community Development Department.

Representatives from Pahlisch Homes could not be reached for comment.

The parcel, which currently has an address of 19462 Pine Drive, has been slated for development in the past. Henson said Portland-based builder Renaissance Homes applied to develop it as high-density housing before the Great Recession. At the time, residents of the adjacent River Rim subdivision were concerned that the development would increase traffic and reduce elk habitat in the area, according to The Bulletin’s archives.

“Many of the same issues remain,” Henson said.

According to the application filed with the city of Bend, the development will be relatively low density, and will be designed to fit within the “character of the area.”

Henson added that the majority of lots in the proposed subdivision will be more than 10,000 square feet, particularly along the river. Based on materials provided to the city, homes will start at around 3,000 square feet. As of yet, there is no estimated price range for the homes, and Henson said there is no timeline for breaking ground on the project.

— Reporter: 541-617-7818, shamway@bendbulletin.com