Annexation closer

The Sisters Planning Commission moved the Sisters Eagle Airport annexation process one step closer to completion Wednesday night with a 5-0 vote to amend the city urban growth boundary (UGB) and comprehensive plan map to include the 34.3-acre airport land as urban area reserve. (Commissioners Layne and Tewalt were absent.)

During the public testimony, eight people spoke in support of the airport annexation; no one spoke against it.

The vote followed a detailed presentation of the staff recommendations by Community Development Director Pauline Hardy. She was followed by Bend attorney Liz Dickson of Hurley Re, who represents Sisters Airport Property LLC and Sisters Runway Incorporated, both headed up by Benny and Julie Benson. Dixon made a brief presentation and answered questions from the commissioners.

The next step is approval of the UGB modification by the Deschutes County Commissioners. That meeting takes place on August 27.

The city, the planning commission, the city council, the county and the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) must all agree to the expansion of the UGB before the city council can move forward on the actual annexation.

Back in November, as part of the general election, the voters passed the annexation ballot measure with a nearly 85 percent favorable vote. This enthusiastic response authorized the city council to move ahead with the process of annexing the airport property.

There was some discussion about aircraft noise during "off" hours. Sisters airport manager Hobbs Magaret handed out a "Fly Safely and Quietly" brochure that is provided to pilots using the airport. The brochure details the "noise abatement procedure" recommended by the airport.

Commission chair Alan Holzman recommended further discussion of the potential noise issue as the annexation process moves through its final steps.