Housing has to be a priority for Sisters

If Sisters is to continue to be a vibrant community, a mix of housing types and price ranges has to be a priority in local planning.

If Sisters schools are to recover the enrollment they need to be healthy over the long haul, young families with children have to be able to move here. That means they need housing they can afford - and not just housing for purchase. Central Oregon's rental market has grown exceedingly tight, making it difficult for folks to establish themselves here and eventually enter the housing market.

Recently surveyed business owners note that lack of workforce housing has a negative impact on employee hiring and retention. If the people who work in Sisters can't find a place to rent in Sisters or can't afford to live here, they're going to look for employment closer to home and lose the commute.

The City of Sisters has a limited toolkit to provide incentives to build affordable housing, but they are looking at ways to deploy reductions in fees, zoning changes and loosened code restrictions to jump-start affordable-housing efforts.

One thing the City can definitely do is to tread carefully in allowing developers to change plans that are already in place that could provide more affordable housing options.

Last week, representatives of Hayden Homes floated the possibility of modifying their master plan for the remaining phases of their development at the west end of Sisters. The development plan approved by the City of Sisters in 2010 called for 273 total dwelling units, including 164 apartments and 109 townhouses. Hayden Homes' development model and area of expertise is in construction of single-family residences.

There's no harm in talking about making changes. Hayden Homes is to be commended for seeking public input in a workshop before making a proposal, and the Sisters Planning Commission should be willing to consider alternatives. However, the burden must be on the developer to demonstrate why changing an agreement that has been in place for five years is a good deal for Sisters.

It may be true, as many folks believe, that single-family homes are a better "fit" for Sisters. But a single-family home may not be in reach for many folks who work in Sisters or for a young family that wants to get a start here and send their kids to Sisters schools.

The town needs rental units and financially accessible homes. The City and developers should work together to find ways to make that an economically viable proposition - and do it quickly. The need is great.

Jim Cornelius

News Editor