Taurus Homes delayed by lack of Whychus Bridge

Taurus Homes is ready to construct more homes in the Timber Creek neighborhood east of Sisters Elementary School. However, the ongoing battle over Whychus Creek Bridge has them stalled.

In 2001, developer Bruce Forbes signed an agreement with the City of Sisters to construct a bridge over Whychus Creek connecting Timber Creek to the Creekside neighborhood, then out to Highway 126. But Forbes has not built the bridge, and the city will not allow more homes to be built in the growing area until he builds the bridge to provide another way out in an emergency.

"Unfortunately Bruce is still fighting with the city, and our project is held up," said President of Taurus Homes Jeff Low.

The city issued permits for water, sewer and roads to Taurus Homes which enabled the company to continue work over the summer. Now they are stalled.

"It is acceptable for Taurus to put utilities into phase six, but we will not issue building permits in phase six until the bridge is completed," said City of Sisters Planning Director Brian Rankin.

Rankin said the bridge was needed to provide more emergency routes for both the public and the fire department.

Low said as time passes, "we're racking up damages." Low added that in addition to Forbes' written agreement with the city, his company's purchase agreement of the land from Forbes includes language stating the bridge was Forbes' responsibility.

Low said he feels the dispute is "holding us hostage," and he has considered legal action to force Forbes to stick to his agreements. However, he said the reality of legal action is that it is not a fast solution either.

As new homes have been built in the Timber Creek area, developers have paid into a bridge fund held by the city. Since the cost of concrete and steel has risen in the past several years, the bridge estimates have grown to as high as $800,000. The city's bridge fund is approximately $248,000 with another $120,000 pending from other developers. That leaves Forbes to fund part of the bridge cost out of his own pocket until future development assessments pay him back.

The lack of a bridge may also delay another developer. This week, Forbes appealed the Sisters Urban Area Planning Commission's recent decision to approve Pahlisch Homes 85-home Saddlestone subdivision because Forbes said their bridge assessment was not enough.

Based on expected traffic, Rankin estimated the assessment at just under $1,000 per lot. Forbes said it should be $2,000. Although Forbes turned in his appeal along with the required $600 fee, he told the city he may not go through with it based on his discussions with company owner Dennis Pahlisch. The deadline for removing his appeal is Monday, October 9.