Opponents hire attorney to fight Sunburst Retreat

Opponents of the proposed Sunburst Retreat east of Sisters have hired an attorney to fight the guest resort on grounds of traffic and safety concerns.

Both sides of the land use dispute met the June 10 deadline for written comments to the Deschutes County Planning Department. The dispute centers on a request for a Conditional Use Permit for a guest lodge in a Multiple Use Agricultural area (MUA-10).

The proposed guest lodge would be located nine miles east of Sisters in the Sun Mountain area. An existing 8,609-square-foot residence at 67155 Sunburst St., owned by Hank and Kareen Queen would be used for the retreat center.

County staff has recommended approval of the permit if certain conditions are met.

The applicant, Queen, was given until June 10 to reply to those conditions. Opponents were given the same deadline. The next deadline is June 24, when opponents may comment on new information from Queen.

Activities in the proposal include golf instruction, yoga and meditation, ballroom dancing, massage, quilting, a swim spa, pool table and outdoor barbecue.

Opponents say the project will negatively impact quality of life and property values, with increased traffic, road dust and noise.

Bend attorney Pamela Hardy has been hired by opponents of the proposal. Her comments in a letter centered on traffic and safety concerns. "Where there are narrow streets and children playing...it is critical that every precaution is taken to ensure that the use does not balloon out of proportion," Hardy states.

The letter contains a traffic estimate of over 2,700 trips per year, compared to 900 by Queen for guests, employees and vendors.

The letter also calls for resurfacing roads to cut dust, use of a watering truck, and a limit on number of guests and increased traffic.

The letter also urges that conditions of the permit must be written so they can be enforced to comply with county codes.

Queen says in his June 10 response that Sunburst will comply with all conditions requested by the planning staff for the permit, including dust control and concerns from several governmental agencies.

Queen also includes several "voluntary conditions" for consideration:

• Outdoor Lighting: Lighting will be minimized, with only two safety lights on between 10 p.m. and dawn.

• Outdoor Noise: Restrictions will be imposed to reduce noise. The lodge will stop all activities at 10 p.m. Guests will not be allowed to check in or depart after this time and must return to the Retreat before then.

• Seasonal Operation: The lodge will close from December 1 to March 1. The intention will be to operate 160 days per year.

• Business and Traffic Control Signs: Signs will be posted to improve traffic and prevent guests from making wrong turns. One sign would be placed at the intersection of Third Avenue and Sunburst Streets, pointing north. Another sign would be discussed with neighbors.

• Guest traffic routing: Driving directions will specify the use of Third Avenue to Fryrear Road to Sunburst and then north to the retreat. Driving slow and carpooling will be urged in the directions.

• Road Maintenance Compensation: Sunburst will enter into a binding contract with the Sun Mountain Ranch Special Road District and with residents of Seven Peaks for reasonable wear and tear on roads.