City agrees on housing density

After multiple workshops searching for the optimum housing density for Sisters, the city council has agreed to a density of three to eight dwellings per acre for Single Family zoning and nine to 14 dwellings per acre for Multiple Family zoning.

The workshops were led by Brian Rankin, Interim Planning Director, and included discussions and spreadsheet presentations exploring the effect of different densities relating to the current and future land needs based on population projections.

The city must still amend it's Development Code to make the density changes official.

The city must:

• Provide 45 days' notice of a public hearing to the State Department of Conservation and Development.

• Conduct the public hearing before the Sisters Planning Commission.

• The planning commission will make a formal recommendation to the city council.

• A second public hearing will be held.

• The city council will amend the Development Code.

The council on July 22 adopted a resolution certifying the municipal service provided by the City of Sisters. This certification is required by the state for the city to receive funds relating to state cigarette and alcohol revenues and to highway funds.

The city also approved the contract for planning services between Adams Planning and Development Services and the City of Sisters. The start date for this contract is August 9.

The city accepted public improvements (road, sewer laterals, and water) for Timbercreek II, Phase 2, based on recommendations of Gary Frazee, Public Works Director.

In his staff report, Interim Planning Director Rankin noted that the department has recently issued eight residential permits; 11 residential permits are pending, two are on hold.

The next Planning Commission hearings on August 19 will review a Sisters Oil Company mini-mart proposal and the FivePine Master Plan.