Machine shop to move to Sisters

A California-based machine shop is planning to move to Sisters’ new Sun Ranch Business Park. Last Thursday evening, June 15, Sisters Urban Area Planning Commissioners unanimously approved the site design for a new 14,400-square-foot building for Full Spectrum Machining. This is the first building approved for the 21-parcel light industrial park.

Full Spectrum Machining is a six-person business that manufactures metal and plastic parts for medical equipment, aircraft, and other products such as bicycles. Owners Mike and Judy Nelson are constructing the building with extra space that they will rent to other light industrial businesses or for warehouse and office uses. Also, the Nelsons are considering having a small deli in their building.

City Planner Brian Rankin recommended approval of the building with minor conditions.

Rankin said when it came to landscaping, “the applicant has exceeded our standards.” However, commissioners discussed whether or not landscaping would provide an effective screen for future building on the northern side. The owner of the neighboring land has submitted an application to the city to change the zone of the adjacent parcel to residential use. Some commissioners thought more vegetation should be required to screen the industrial building from potential homes.

“I would question whether it is the responsibility of this applicant to screen a hypothetical future building,” said Commissioner John Rahm.

In the end, commissioners added a condition to include more trees, both deciduous and evergreen.

Commissioners also discussed energy usage and asked if the building would use active solar power. The project’s engineer, Charlie Rowles, explained that so far active solar isn’t cost-effective and that instead the building is designed with transom windows, which let in natural light and cut down on the need for electrical lights. The new building is two-story, then becomes one-story as the ground slopes up, which meets the height standards set for buildings constructed at the nearby Sisters airport.

The Nelsons have vacationed in Sisters for many years and are excited to move their business and family to this community.

“We just love it up there — it’s a little slower paced,” said Judy Nelson.

The Nelsons are waiting until their current machine shop in Gilroy, California, sells before they begin construction in Sisters.

Sun Ranch Industrial Park is part of a 40-acre development owned by Dutch Pacific Properties at the corner of Barclay Drive and Camp Polk Road.