News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
After months of discussion and public input, Sisters planners have settled on a definition of "formula food" and restrictions on where formula food establishments can be sited in Sisters.
A "formula food establishment" is now defined as one that features standardized menus, ingredients, food preparation, employee uniforms, interior decor, signage or exterior design; or adopts a name, appearance or food presentation format that causes it to be substantially identical to 20 or more other establishments regardless of ownership or location."
Planning commissioners on Thursday raised the ceiling on the number of establishments required to be designated "formula food" to allow for smaller Central Oregon regional chains to have a shot at locating in Sisters. Formula foods are not allowed in the mixed-use zone of local business parks park (where other types of restaurants can be allowed) and only one is allowed in the downtown commercial district. Dutch Bros. Coffee currently has that slot.
The highway commercial district along Highway 20 at the entrances to Sisters has the greatest allowance for formula food establishments, but the planning commission set aside a decision on how that is ultimately going to look. Currently, spacing requirements restrict the number of sites available, but they have left some obvious spots unavailable. The commissioners will further explore spacing requirements and/or a cap on the number of establishments allowed.
The commissioners heard testimony on the matter from developer Todd Taylor, who favors most of the restrictions, but has long opposed using spacing to restrict locations. He noted that families seeking dining options prefer having restaurants in close proximity. Spreading them out does not serve the public as well and makes the businesses less viable, he argues.
Portland restaurant entrepreneur Joe Angel offered a defense of "formula food" restaurants. He was himself the owner of 33 Burger King and eight Chili's franchises. He believes the City should focus on promoting local ownership rather than on brands.
Angel said he was offended by the implication that "the business that I had is somehow not OK."
He noted that, "every restaurant has a formula or they wouldn't get food out on the table."
Angel said that franchise owners are often as significant a contributor to the economy and social fabric of a community as any independent mom-and-pop brand.
"Local ownership, I'm totally for," he said. "A lot of local owners have a branded product. It doesn't make them any less of a good citizen."
At Thursday's meeting, the planning commission also re-codified its process for notifying planning commission and city council of staff decisions (see related story, page 3) and made some additional small changes to the code. One of those included adding language that would specifically allow a distillery in one of Sisters' business parks.
A distiller is interested in locating a distillery in Sisters with a tasting room on Cascade Avenue.
The code changes will go to the city council for final approval.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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