New Sisters subdivisions approved

Planners gave the go-ahead to developers last week to create two new subdivisions, allowing for 66 new residential lots in Sisters.

Richard Carpenter and Michael Black approached the Sisters Urban Area Planning Commission Wednesday evening, April 3, seeking approval for their two separate subdivisions, which lie adjacent to each other on N. Larch Street near the existing industrial park.

The 7.43 and 2.94 acre lots have been subdivided into 66 lots. The lots range in size from 3,013 square foot town-home lots to 6,949 square foot single family resident lots.

The subdivisions are within walking distance of downtown and the elementary and middle schools.

Carpenter's subdivision will lay across from a planned two-acre city park.

Realtor Steve McGhehey, who spoke for Carpenter at the hearing, said that lots bordering the park will be accessed by cars via an alleyway. This is to compliment the aesthetic appeal of the common area.

Shared alleyways will be used for this purpose throughout the two subdivisions

Black said he had no immediate plans to develop his property.

Being that his land is adjacent to Carpenter's, he decided to subdivide it in conjunction with Carpenter to ensure harmony between the two properties.

Developer Bruce Forbes inquired why a traffic impact study was not conducted for these subdivisions as was done with his own.

City Planner Neil Thompson responded that Forbes' development had only one existing access point where as the two new developments fit into Sisters' existing grid.

Commissioner Sharlene Weed said the subdivisions should be a nice addition to Sisters.

She showed concern, however, about lower income housing stating, "a fear is if we don't start addressing it, the community is going to lose its heart."

In other hearings, a variance request for a side yard setback was denied while site plans for an office building on West Adams Avenue was approved.

A variance request for a multifamily dwelling on E. Washington were approved.