Power Hour | Deschutes County 2040: Engage in the future of our community

Between now and February 2024, Deschutes County will be updating its Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is the County’s roadmap for the future and provides the goals, policies, and actions that are intended to guide the day-to-day decisions of elected officials and staff for a 20-year period. This update will provide direction through the year 2044.  By 2044, it’s estimated that Deschutes County will grow as a whole from 207,921 residents to 275,905. Right now, Deschutes County is looking for input from residents, business owners, and subject matter experts. As someone who lives or works in Deschutes County, your input is essential to preparing an effective plan. 

Join us to review and comment on proposed policy directions for the plan, and share your concerns, hopes, and priorities with the County. If you want to have a say in how the County grows, it is important to get involved in this process now. 

Agenda

5:00 – 5:30: Networking & Grab a refreshment

5:30 – 6:30: Presentation & Discussion

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How is the plan used?

The County’s Comprehensive applies to the area in County jurisdiction, outside of city limits. The plan serves as criteria for rezonings, provides guidance for public investments, and sets direction for additional projects to be undertaken by County planning staff. The plan was last updated in 2010, to plan for a 20-year period ending in 2030 and resulted in 63 subsequent projects to date including wetland mapping, participation in a regional large lot industrial lands program, and streamlining of processes to permit childcare. Due to significant population growth and changes in land use trends, County staff is updating this document to reflect the most recent data and community perspectives. Deliverables from this project will include an action plan to help identify key initiatives and projects for the planning department to undertake in the next 1-5 years. 

Deschutes County faces several challenges that the Comprehensive Plan will help address. 

• Livability 
• Rural Development
• Natural Hazards
• Water
• Growth Management
• Tourism

Meet our speaker

Nicole Mardell, AICP, Senior Long Range Planner. Nicole is the County-side project manager for the Deschutes County 2040 project, working closely with project consultant MIG. She serves on the long-range planning team for Deschutes County, which is responsible for planning for the future of Deschutes County. This includes developing and implementing land use policy with the Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission and serving as the regional planning coordinating body for all cities and special districts within the County limits. She has been a planner for 8 years, for both city and county jurisdictions. She holds a B.S. in Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota.

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