The City of Sisters: An Update on Planning for Growth
City of Sisters Comprehensive Plan Update
The City has released its completed draft of its “Update.” This document is the result of the City’s process over the past year – including public comment from the various Open Houses, committee feedback, and other forms of public input.
What did Sisters residents have to say?
Residents from in and around Sisters were invited to submit public feedback for consideration in the planning process. The City shared its results from June’s Open House survey. Read the summary to get a glimpse into the priorities and concerns of fellow Sisters residents.
Our take: Hearing Sisters residents
We generally support many of the goals, objectives, and policies outlined in the “Update.” We believe this document has done a good job of incorporating public feedback and addressing many common concerns.
For instance, there are policies for tree preservation, fire-resistant building codes to protect from wildfire, goals to plan for a “wide range of housing for all ages and income levels,” and transportation goals to keep Sisters a walkable, safe, and convenient place to get around. You can read the complete comments that Rory Isbell, our staff attorney, submitted to the City here.
Our concern: Housing priorities
In our comments, we state a continued concern about the City’s Housing Needs Analysis. We are concerned that the report does not accurately reflect the City’s greatest housing needs and favors future development of large lot, single-family detached housing to accommodate future growth.
We encourage the City to prioritize smaller, more affordable, and more efficient housing types and accommodate projected growth within the existing Urban Growth Boundary to protect surrounding resource lands and open space, provide more affordable housing types, and increase walkability and access within town. (See our prior comments here.)
Next steps: Opportunities for public comment
The City of Sisters Planning Commission is holding two in-person public hearings (no Zoom attendance available as of now) on the Update.
You can find more information, including times, locations, and meeting materials, on the City’s calendar.
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Planning Commission Public Hearing, 5:30 p.m. @ Sisters City Hall
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Planning Commission Public Hearing, 5:30 p.m. @ Sisters City Hall
Following the Planning Commission hearings, City Council will also hold public hearings.
Wednesday, September 8
City Council Public Hearing, time and place forthcoming
Wednesday, September 22
City Council Public Hearing, time and place forthcoming
Providing public comment
There are two ways to comment or provide feedback.
1) Attend the meetings in person and offer comments in-person.
2) Submit written comments via email to swoodford@ci.sisters.or.us. Use the file number CP 21-01 for reference in your comments.
3) Submit written comments via hardcopy at the City’s dropbox. Use the file number CP 21-01 for reference in your comments.