City to reverse back-in parking

Back-in parking is backing out of the Sisters downtown in approximately 90 days. Despite some avid supporters, the parking has proven unpopular with a large majority of citizens and visitors. It will be removed from Pine and Larch streets and Main Avenue.

City Council approved removal of back-in parking and a number of amendments and ordinances at their March 11 meeting, including the call-up provision for all Type II and Type III planning decisions. The Planning Commission and City Council will be emailed those decisions by the Planning Department on the same day the decisions are mailed to the applicants, so all necessary parties receive notification at the same time.

Text amendments now allow distilleries in the North Sisters Business Park and businesses like automotive sales in the light industrial zone. Home businesses are also now allowed in the downtown commercial zone provided they meet the requirements as far as number of employees and deliveries per day.

Formula food establishments (FFEs) with over 20 outlets (the number unanimously approved by the Planning Commission) will be regulated in Sisters, with none in Sun Ranch and North Sisters Business Park, and one in the downtown commercial district. That slot is currently filled by Dutch Bros. coffee. The number was raised from 13 to 20 to allow for some Central Oregon establishments with more than 13 outlets to be able to do business in Sisters.

The Planning Commission will further discuss FFEs in the highway commercial district, where determination is now made based on spacing. The approved restrictions don't apply to restaurants connected to theaters or overnight lodging. There has been talk of potential interest on the part of McMenamins in the Conklin Guesthouse property across from the airport.

Ordinance #457 amends the municipal code banning the feeding of deer within the city limits, to keep them from being a nuisance and attracting cougars to the area, and to encourage their natural migration patterns.

Another possible solution to the overly bright streetlights on Cascade Avenue is installed as a test on the light located on the northwest corner of Cascade and Spruce by Metolius Properties. The south and east panes of glass are frosted so the light bulb is not visible. There is also an inline resister installed which acts as a dimmer that can reduce the light up to 60 percent. It is currently set at 20 percent. Citizens are encouraged to take a look at the light after dark and share their impressions with the City.

The new City website is receiving some final adjustments and is expected to be up and running within the next two weeks.