Planning department needs to grow

The City of Sisters Planning Department is a busy place these days. With an increase in applications for larger and more sophisticated residential and commercial developments, the department is working to keep pace.

Planning Director Brian Rankin is currently advertising to add two people to his department. One new planner will replace one who recently left.

"We desperately need one, and then two would be great," said Rankin.

Rankin said even though his department is short-handed, staff moves along from completed application to final decision in the required 120 days or less. Rankin added that with some of the unique requirements of Sisters, including that commercial buildings adhere to the 1880s design theme, that is a reasonable time frame.

"We don't usually see 120 days," said Rankin.

Rankin wants to increase staff so that his department isn't buried in immediate developments and can look ahead to the future of Sisters.

"A good planning department has some of its staff looking out five to 10 years," said Rankin.

Currently, the Sisters Urban Area Planning Commissioners meet once a month. The planning commissions of the larger cities of Redmond, Bend and Prineville meet twice a month. Rankin said there might be busy times when the volunteer commission could hold an additional meeting.

"I don't think the Planning Commission needs to have two meetings a month on a regular basis," said Rankin.

At this month's meeting, September 21, the commission will continue its public hearing on Pahlisch Homes' 85-home subdivision near Sisters Elementary School and it will review the application by Dutch Pacific Properties for bungalows and a restaurant at the former Conklin's Bed & Breakfast.