The North Bend City Council has spent much of the summer plowing through the prep work necessary to lift a nine-year moratorium on development. Among the most recent moves were the approval of new design standards and guidelines, and adoption of transportation impact fees.

After securing water rights earlier this summer, the city has been readying itself for new development.

The city hired LMN Architecture to streamline its design standards and guidelines, and put them in line with North Bend’s comprehensive and downtown plans.

The new, illustrated code document was designed to create “clear, fair and predictable” standards, said LMN representative Mike Kimelberg.

The council also adopted road impact fees for new development of all types, as well as properties with changed use. A new single family house would be charged about $620 – “a bargain” compared to impact fees in neighboring communities, said Public Works Director Ron Garrow.

At an Aug. 12 special meeting, the council voted to extend the moratorium for 120 days while the city revises codes and construction continues on water infrastructure.

The original version of the moratorium extension ordinance called for a 180-day period, but the council trimmed that number to send people buying property and bringing in businesses the message that the city is serious about getting on with development, said City Administrator Duncan Wilson.

“We intend to get out of this (moratorium) quickly,” said Councilmember Jonathan Rosen.