City of Sisters hires new senior planner

BreAnne McConkie, the newly hired City of Sisters senior planner, comes to Sisters from Salt Lake City, via Seattle.

McConkie, a Utah native, received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in urban planning from the University of Utah. Following college, she worked mainly in redevelopment in Salt Lake City and spent some time as a principal planner, where she dealt with a wide variety of issues.

McConkie's two years with the City of Seattle, which has a very large planning department, were involved in mostly long-range planning. She handled design reviews, Type I, II and some III discretionary reviews, and variance applications. She is looking forward to the wide variety of duties she will have here in Sisters.

Central Oregon has been a favorite destination for McConkie and her husband for the past eight years. About six months ago they decided to seriously consider moving here, and then McConkie saw the ad for a senior planner in Sisters and decided to apply. Following a phone interview, McConkie visited in person with staff at City Hall and was hired for the position.

"My expectations have more than been met," said McConkie.

She is currently living with friends in Bend while her husband, who works in advertising, awaits the closing of their Magnolia-area house sale later this month. They have found a place to rent for now and will be moving their belongings in late October.

The McConkies are avid skiers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts who look forward to exploring their new home territory with their two wire-haired pointing griffon dogs.

"I love the four seasons," McConkie said.

For now, as she settles into her new job with the Community Development Department, McConkie said she hopes to take time to watch and learn so that she can understand the big planning picture here in Sisters. She said the issues facing Sisters are very probably those faced by the bigger cities - urban growth expansion and maintaining the quality of life for the residents.

"My goal is that 40 years from now, people will be able to make sense of what we've done today," McConkie said.