Rahm seeks formula-food restrictions

The fight over fast-food restaurants in Sisters has moved onto a new battlefield.

John Rahm, former Sisters City Councilor and now a member of the Sisters Urban Area Planning Commission, has presented a draft ordinance would define “formula” restaurants, strictly limit formula restaurants, and restrict the location of drive-through facilities.

The proposal would require the city council to amend the Comprehensive Plan and the Sisters Development Code.

Commisioner Rahm’s draft ordinance recognizes that “entrepreneurial-style locally created and owned businesses provide important economic benefits to the community, especially in terms of revenues that remain in the (Sisters) community.”

The proposed ordinance finds that “formula restaurants do not reflect the unique character of the community or the desired aesthetic ambiance of the city.”

It states that, although formula restaurants do represent a desirable option for some local community members and visitors, the number of formula restaurants should be strictly limited. The draft calls for a limit of three such restaurants in Sisters.

Rahm’s proposal calls for drive-through facilities to be allowed only in the Highway Commercial Zone in order to maintain the pedestrian orientation of the downtown commercial area, but suggests that they be limited in number.

“Formula Restaurant” has tentatively been defined by city planners as “A retail establishment primarily devoted to the on-site preparation and offering of food and beverage for sale to the public… and which is required by contractual or other arrangements to offer any of the following: standardized menus, ingredients, food preparation, décor, uniforms, architecture or design, signs or similar standardized features...”

Should Sisters restrict formula food?

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