City changes plan forForest Service property

Sisters city councilors, at a meeting on January 22, unanimously approved an ordinance adopting changes to the Urban Area Comprehensive Plan affecting the Forest Service property located at the corner of Highway 20, Pine Street and Barclay Drive.

The changes were the result of a joint effort between the state, city and the U.S. Forest Service. The property is currently the site of the Sisters Ranger District administrative offices, and the Forest Service has plans to move those offices to a location north of Barclay Drive. The current site is for sale, and has been the recipient of much input from the community as to what uses are preferred for it.

The property was offered at auction in June 2008 but no bids were received. Rod Bonacker, USFS, said that the language of the Comprehensive Plan as it relates to the parcel made it difficult for prospective owners to commit dollars to a project.

"We're looking at options to make the property more marketable," he said.

The ordinance allows the Comprehensive Plan to be changed so that a special case for use could be applied to the Forest Service property, said Sisters City Planner Eric Porter.

In other business, councilors amended the city's property lease agreement with High Country Disposal. HCD leases a two-acre parcel to use for storage of yard debris, and the site has been moved to a location closer to the city sewer ponds.

Mayor Lon Kellstrom appointed additional members to the Committee for Citizen Involvement. New members are Paul Bennett, Parker Bennett and Ann Richardson.

The council also heard comment from Todd Dow, owner of High Desert Gallery concerning Chamber of Commerce use of transient room tax dollars.