Fast food initiative filed in Sisters

Sisters, OR—A group has filed an initiative petition to limit national chains of fast food restaurants in Sisters.

The City of Sisters is currently considering the proposal as the first step in the lengthy ballot qualification process. Multiple criteria must be met by an August 10 deadline in order for the initiative to appear on the November ballot.

“In deference to the McDonald’s property owners, we really wish the timing had been different,” notes Friends of Sisters (FOS) spokesperson Linda Davis, a retired city planner. “We hope Sisters residents understand that our initiative was submitted the week prior to the devastating McDonald’s arson fire … Sisters is a tight-knit community that has gone through a lot of trauma the past few weeks. Our hearts go out to those whose property was destroyed in the McDonald’s fire, and also to those whose jobs and livelihoods were disrupted or damaged.”

The fast food ordinance put forward by FOS grandfathers the town’s four existing formula restaurants.

“Everyone in our group recognizes Subway, Figaro’s, Bad Ass Coffee and the coming McDonald’s as important, community-minded businesses in the fabric of Sisters,” notes John Rahm, one of several Friends of Sisters organizers working on the policy since last year. (Rahm is a former city councilor who voted in favor of approving the McDonald’s permit. He now serves on the Planning Commission.)

“The ordinance grants these businesses the right to move to other locations in town, so long as they are not within 1,000 feet of another formula restaurant. We hope these franchises and business owners will be operating in the community for many years to come.”

FOS organizers are hopeful that support for the measure, approved unanimously by the Planning Commission last May, will continue through. “We feel this is a very important step to protect the quality of life of residents and the charm that draws so many visitors to Sisters year after year,” said Davis.