Brooks Resources’ newest joint venture will be a mixed-use neighborhood featuring a 38-acre expansion of Discovery Park and a central plaza and gathering space for residents and guests.
| Year Opened: | 2019 |
| Acreage: | 245 |
| Current Status: | Phase 1 home construction under way. Infrastructure construction on phase 2 is in process. |
With the conclusion of development in NorthWest Crossing, the same development team looked west at an opportunity to acquire 245 acres from the Miller family (the same family that we partnered with to develop The Tree Farm and purchased the land from for NorthWest Crossing).
The land was positioned to be included in the City of Bend’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion in 2016 which would allow the team to develop it as a mixed-use community, building on the success of the principles executed in NorthWest Crossing.
However, certain stake holders in the UGB process called for limited development on Bend’s west side which resulted in specific development requirements being placed on west side expansion lands. This prescriptive approach to development was different from the way we normally develop a master plan.
Additionally, the City’s expansion plan approved, by the state in 2016, deferred work on plans to determine how the new densities would impact systems such as streets, water and sewer. These infrastructure plans needed to be complete before any development could occur on land brought into the UGB.
Embracing the City’s requirements on the number of dwelling units per housing type, as well as the target acreage for commercial lands, we began work on a master plan that would accomplish the City’s goals and provide a healthy, livable community for future residents.
In addition, we collaborated with other west side landowners to collectively determine the impacts on infrastructure systems. The WIG—Westside Infrastructure Group—consisted of a group of landowners that worked on a plan for just over a year in conjunction with multiple departmental meetings with the City of Bend.
Utilizing the transect concept established during the UGB process, the Discovery West master plan reflects higher densities on the eastern edge, closest to NorthWest Crossing, and becomes less dense as it approaches its western boundary adjacent to The Tree Farm neighborhood. Homesites on the western edge will be up to 1 acre in size. The plan provides for clustered commercial properties along SkylinersRoad, compatible with existing commercial properties east of Discovery West in NorthWest Crossing. A variety of housing types will provide diverse housing opportunities for residents.
One of the most exciting components of the master plan is the 38-acre expansion of Discovery Park, which will continue from NorthWest Crossing through Discovery West, completing west side trail connections and providing more park land in the City.
The culmination of the WIG collaboration was a Development Agreement between the WIG members and the City of Bend. This unique public/private partnership resulted in an equitable, cohesive strategy for west side infrastructure. Instead of competing for capacities, WIG members worked together to mitigate impacts and help determine solutions up front, resulting in more efficient and effective investments in infrastructure improvements for the City. Additionally, privately funded infrastructure analysis has saved the City thousands of dollars and will save landowners and City staff time in the land use process. The agreement was recommended by City staff and approved by Bend City Council in October 2018.
With the Development Agreement in place, we were able to submit our master plan application in early 2019, which was streamlined due to infrastructure decisions that had already been determined. We received approval on the master plan in July 2019 and infrastructure construction began shortly thereafter.
For Discovery West design guidelines, please visit the Discovery West website.
