Letters to the Editor 01/07/2008

To The Editor:

On January 15, our planning commission faces the momentous decision to approve or deny the plans for the hotel adjacent to Pine Meadow. This session is of equal importance to the community as to this council whose decision could forever change the physical character of our city.

If approved, the proposed 54-foot-10-inch roof, a five-story structure, would become Sisters' dominant feature, blocking views of The Sisters from Hood and Cascade. Unchallenged, it will be Sisters' tallest building, remaining so under the current 35-foot height requirements. Compare the fire station, 35-foot max, flanked with ponderosas to the proposed hotel, which would be 19 feet taller without any mature trees.

Lawyer for owner, Celia Hung of Portland, stated the proposed "three-story hotel" (all 54-feet-10-inches), is permitable under the now-expired agreement DCC Title 21, where the maximum height allowed is an adjusted average of 45 feet.

DCC Title 21, section 21.96.010, states local government must consider the impact of the proposed development on nearby properties, ..... and the appearance of the street and the community. 21.96.040 also requires that the proposed development relate harmoniously to the natural environment and existing buildings and structures having a visual relationship to the site. Further, "each element shall be on a human scale."

This 54-foot-10-inch behemoth building on a barren lot is not harmonious to its surroundings or this community. The tallest building on Hood, XPress Printing, is 35 feet; to the west of The Hotel are residences all under 30 feet.

I'm not opposing this hotel, but I strongly oppose its height and mass. As an architect and designer with 30 years' experience, including hotels and restaurants in Europe, I know other solutions are available. Changes take time; as their architect Van Lom expressed, they would not start construction for possibly two years.

Explore alternatives on paper now, before we watch the sun set behind a massive hotel instead of the majestic Three Sisters. I am confident their architect can provide a successful alternative solution if required.

Contact our Planning Commission urging them to require the maximum roof height be amended and to be a part of a decision that we all can be proud of.

Wendy von Kalinowski