Forbes still on the hook for bridge

One Sisters City Councilor quipped that it was the shortest public hearing they had ever held. At last Thursday evening’s Sisters City Council meeting, developer Bruce Forbes tried to persuade the city to assess the developer of the nine-home Cottage Grove subdivision a higher contribution toward the Whychus Creek bridge fund.

The argument didn’t get far.

Under an agreement with the city, Forbes is to build the bridge at the east end of town, with contributions from other developments that will need the bridge.

Forbes filed an appeal after the Sisters Urban Area Planning Commission in May assessed Cottage Grove subdivision developer Steve Lillegard less than the $2,450 per lot the commission had assessed other developers building homes in the Timber Creek area. The city has stated for years that the bridge is necessary, not only to provide a convenient eastern access for the fast-growing neighborhood near Sisters Elementary School, but to provide another way out in case of forest fire or other emergency.

Forbes, who agreed in 2001 to build the bridge, was the only person to speak on his side. The councilors, who had already reviewed a thick binder of paper accumulated from the years-old bridge stand-off, did not discuss the issue. Only one councilor spoke. Councilor Sharlene Weed said Forbes should have built the bridge years ago before construction costs rose.

“Now the bridge is costing more and I don’t see that as our problem,” said Weed.

In less than one hour after beginning the orderly meeting, councilors voted unanimously to deny Forbes’ appeal.

As the original property owner of 40 acres in Timber Creek, Forbes signed an Improvement Agreement in 2001 to build a bridge over Whychus Creek (then Squaw Creek). Forbes continues to operate on the assumption that the city must gather all the money necessary to build the bridge before he starts construction. However, he told The Nugget it was not written in the agreement that the bridge fund must cover all his costs but he thinks it is the “intent.”

City of Sisters Planning Director Brian Rankin calculates a developer’s assessment by linking estimated traffic across the bridge with the cost. Rankin estimated the Cottage Grove subdivision should contribute $1,243 per lot instead of the $2,450 paid by past Timber Creek developers.

Rankin’s calculations include the number of homes in the subdivision, how close they are to the bridge and what alternate roads are available. Rankin called the assessment “fair and equitable” and developer Lillegard agreed.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s a done deal and I’m ready to pay the fee and get on with it,” said Lillegard.

Although the city has indexed the bridge cost each year since 2000 to a total of $280,000 today, Forbes said that still won’t cover construction costs. He estimates the bridge will cost about twice that amount.

After the meeting, Forbes said he had no immediate plans but would wait to see how much the city assesses the planned 85-home Pahlisch Homes subdivision when it comes before the Planning Commission in August.

This large subdivision north of Cascade Avenue is the last one that will pay into the city’s bridge fund.

“I’ll see what they assess Pahlisch — that’s the last chance,” said Forbes.

Rankin said “it’s too early” to know what Pahlisch will be assessed. He added his approach to the assessment will be consistent.

“It will be based on their use and impact of the bridge,” said Rankin.

Whatever the Pahlisch assessment turns out to be, Rankin said Forbes still needs to build the Whychus Creek bridge.