Oregon builders compete with data centers for electrical supplies, causing delays in construction. 

When the Legislature created a special 100-acre exception to the state’s land use laws for new housing, the city of Bend was surely going to look for a development to qualify.

And at Wednesday’s Bend City Council meeting, councilors are going to go over two options.

One is in east Bend, north of U.S. Highway 20. The second is in southeast Bend, sort of near Caldera High School.

Jasper Ridge, the site to the east, would create 1,012 housing units. Of those, 304 would be affordable. A total of 49% of them would be available for rent at 80% of the area median income or less and the remainder would be available for sale at 130% of area median income or less.

Caldera Ranch, the site to the southeast, would have 700 housing units. Of those, 238 would be affordable. A total of 22 units would be available for rent at 30% or less of area median income and 192 would be available for 80% or less of area median income. Another 24 units would be available for sale at 130% or less of the area median income.

The 100-acre exception was controversial for some inside and outside the Legislature, because of a concern about poking a hole in the state’s land use laws. It’s understandable. Bend, though, needs more housing. Whatever project the council chooses, the Legislature should consider if the exception should be allowed again.

You can see more information about the projects in the council agenda: tinyurl.com/100acresBend. Which should the council choose?