City approves ordinance on permits

The Sisters City Council has unanimously approved an emergency ordinance that would allow a 90-day extension to a temporary 180-day operating permit.

The move, made at last Thursday's council meeting, clears the way for Ky Karnecki's Wild Mountain mushroom and jerky stand to open up within seven to 10 days, once Karnecki has filed the proper papers with the city and paid the fees.

To take effect without a 30-day waiting period the ordinance had to be an "emergency" ordinance, and for approval, the council vote had to be unanimous.

The only dissent came from councilor David Asson; he said, "There is good reason to help businesses, however there is good reason to follow the process of the planning commission. I'm not happy with the emergency ordinance. It is contrary to what we say we want to do. I will grudgingly consent to go along with it."

Finance director Lisa Young reported that the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce stated that the chamber was very supportive of new businesses coming to town. However, they were concerned about changing the rules for one business and the unintended consequences that could come with that.

The Sisters planning commission is expected to review the process and content of the temporary business permit ordinances when they conduct a planned "mini" code review in the next month or so.