Event planners wary of code changes

Event planners in Sisters are wary of the code changes being proposed by the City of Sisters regarding transient merchants and special events.

Sisters City Council on Thursday conducted a public hearing on the proposed transient merchant and public event code changes. Liam Hughes, executive director of Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD), reminded council that his agency runs a number of events that include vendors. He suggested that perhaps SPRD could apply for a variance to the City code when they apply for a special-event permit.

Event coordinator Richard Esterman testified that the proposed code changes are unfair and penalize out-of-area vendors with unequal treatment. He stated that for the last 15 years, his events in Sisters have provided their own security, garbage collection, and portable toilets. He suggested that events and vendors with an established history in Sisters could be grandfathered in with the code changes.

Esterman closed his testimony by stating that the proposed code changes "don't reflect the tourists' interests."

Council did not vote on the proposed changes, which have been in the works for a year.

Council also opened a public hearing on an ordinance amending the City Development Code to establish a new zoning sub-district for Pine Meadow Village, which currently has slightly different development requirements than the rest of the City of Sisters. Their original entitlements expired several years ago. Due to the slump in building during the recession, the remaining lots were not built out as expected, and if homes currently being built have to comply with existing Sisters development code they will be out of compliance with the covenants, codes, and restrictions for Pine Meadow Village.

City staff suggested the ordinance to establish the sub-district as the simplest way to rectify the situation.

Pine Meadow Village resident Lyle Musle testified that the view corridors and green spaces required by the CCRs make it difficult to conform to the current Sisters code. The designation of particular lots for building a one- or two-story house also must be taken into consideration. Musle supports the ordinance establishing the sub-district as does John Sanders, another Pine Meadow Village resident, who commended staff for recommending the option of the sub-district.

The hearing was continued until the October 29 special meeting of the council at 8 a.m. at City Hall. Comments for or against the ordinance may be directed to Kathy Nelson, city recorder, at City Hall.

City Manager Andrew Gorayeb announced that the City of Sisters has been awarded the "best business district facelift" plaque by the Central Oregon Area Realtors. He also said that in a joint venture with the school district, the tennis courts at the grade school will be fixed by patching the cracks, replacing the posts, cranks and nets, and adding a gate and providing ADA accessibility off the path along the Locust Street side of the courts. They will also repaint the lines for tennis and fix the fence and basketball hoops.

Sisters City Council awarded two additional community grants to local programs at their meeting last week.

Sisters Outdoor Leadership Experience (SOLE), run by middle school counselor Brook Jackson, received $900 to help provide outdoor experiences for at-risk middle school students. Sisters Park & Recreation District received $900 for scholarships that will allow senior citizens to participate in the SAGE programs and outings run by Shannon Rackowski, adult program director.