Bend Advanced Caldera Ranch Housing Project

The City Council continues the approval process for a 716-home development on a 93-acre site.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Construction

Bend Advanced Caldera Ranch Housing Project

Live Poll

Should city officials approve new housing developments despite local concerns about traffic and wildfire safety?

Bend officials have continued to move forward with the Caldera Ranch housing project following the approval of an urban growth boundary expansion. The development, which spans 93 acres, has faced pushback from residents over safety and traffic concerns.

Why it matters

The project serves as a key test for Bend in balancing rapid residential growth with public safety and infrastructure limitations. Concerns regarding evacuation routes and traffic impact reflect the broader challenges of expanding urban boundaries.

The proposed site for the 716-home project covers 93 acres, utilizing land currently containing two former cinder surface mines. The city recently secured a state-allowed urban growth boundary expansion totaling 100 acres to accommodate the project.

The players

Bend City Council

This local government body is responsible for municipal policy, land use decisions, and the approval of urban growth boundary expansions.

Caldera Holdings, LLC

This is the private development firm currently seeking approval for the Caldera Ranch residential housing project.

Mike Riley

He is a member of the Bend City Council who previously identified a specific planning error within the development proposal.

Deschutes County

This regional government authority oversees land use planning and zoning changes required for major developments outside city limits.

The details

Located southwest of Caldera High School, the project is moving through a multi-year application process involving Caldera Holdings, LLC. Residents have contested the proposal using a 2017 traffic model, arguing that the data fails to account for current conditions.

The traffic model data for the site was originally generated in 2017.
City officials began working on the application with Caldera Holdings, LLC in 2024.
Councilor Mike Riley identified an error in the project plan on Sept. 2, 2026.
The city approved the urban growth boundary expansion on Sept. 16, 2026.
A Deschutes County meeting regarding the map amendment is set for Oct. 29, 2026.

Market Landscape

This development marks a significant expansion into former industrial land, signaling a shift toward converting non-residential sites into housing. It positions Bend to increase its housing supply significantly while competing with regional growth trends seen in places like Redmond.

Local residents may face future shifts in neighborhood traffic patterns and evacuation logistics near the Caldera High School area. Potential buyers can expect the inclusion of income-restricted housing units, with eligibility capped at 130% of the area median income.

The takeaway

The progression of the Caldera Ranch project underscores the complexity of reconciling housing demand with infrastructure capacity. Residents should monitor upcoming county meetings to understand how the final site plan addresses long-standing safety concerns.

What happens next

The project will face a map amendment and zone change hearing with Deschutes County on Oct. 29, 2026. Following potential county approval, the city must submit the proposal to the Department of Land Conservation and Development within 60 days.