City council endorses local option

The Sisters City Council unanimously voted to endorse the Sisters School District local option tax levy, due to go to voters on March 10.

In a resolution read before the council, Mayor Lon Kellstrom stated that the city council values the Sisters schools and the achievements of the students. The resolution also acknowledged that the local option had been in place since 2001 and provides valuable operating funds financing both academic and co-curricular programs.

Councilor Sharlene Weed pointed out as examples other communities that attracted new businesses based in part on the strength of their schools.

"Schools are an important community resource," she said. "People often locate themselves and their businesses based on the schools."

She also noted that the passage (or failure) of the levy will have a big impact.

"This is one thing we as community members can do in these uncertain times to ensure the quality of our community. Keeping schools healthy is a big step," she said.

In other business, the council voted to approve a planning commission recommendation that the proposed Black Butte Crossing development, located behind the new post office on Larch Street, be allowed to extend the duration of the build-out of the development.

The development is proposed in four phases, and both the planning commission and city council agreed to allow two years for each phase to be developed, with a maximum time of eight years for completion.

Previously, the Development Code allowed two years for completion, based on the time of permit issue. Requests from other developers of larger, phased projects influenced the planning commission recommendation. It was felt that developers should be allowed more time to secure financing in the current economic climate.