The residential areas of Bend are generally among the most attractive and pleasant sections in the city. The city and county are developing new subdivision and other land development standards to ensure that future residential developments continue the tradition of quality that currently exists. Care should be taken to make certain that older residential neighborhoods retain their charm and vitality and do not enter into decline.

One of the major challenges facing the community is to ensure that new housing developing at the edge of the community or as “in-fill” projects within neighborhoods is well planned and integrated within the larger context of the community. Future subdivisions will have a more thoughtful design that works with the land and with the surrounding neighborhoods. Natural topography, foliage and rock outcroppings should be preserved and used to create character within developments rather than eliminated, and grading should be kept to a minimum. Naturally occurring open space, parks and greenbelts provide visual relief for residents and can link a developing residential area to an established one.