Forest Service could sell more of property

The U.S. Forest Service is currently investigating the possibility of increasing the number of acres being offered for sale at the present site of the Sisters Ranger District headquarters.

"That decision has not been made yet, but that is the proposal (to add 13.21 acres to the property sale), with a decision to add or not expected by the end of March 2018 after the current public scoping and comment period ends," said Ian Reid, Sisters District Ranger.

Those 13 acres lie across Barclay Avenue north of the 67 acres first offered for sale. The original plan was to build the new district headquarters on the 13 acres after the sale of the 67-acre parcel, but under consideration is the possibility to build elsewhere.

"A decision has not been made on this but we are looking at National Forest System lands north of Rail Way on either the west or east side of Highway 20," Reid told The Nugget.

Any new site selection would involve a lengthy process, including a chance for the public to weigh in.

"New site development and site construction would have to go through our planning process and include a public scoping and comment period. It also would involve close coordination with the City, County, and other agencies such as Oregon DEQ and ODOT," Reid said.

Reid clarified that the total acreage "could be sold in two separate parcels, the original 67 acres and the new 13 acres."

The 67 acres are currently listed at $8 million, and Reid said that if the 13-acre parcel is added, the asking price would increase accordingly.

"We have not yet determined market value and a new asking price if the additional 13-plus acres are added. Asking price would be determined in coordination with our brokers, Compass Realty," Reid added.

The total 80 acres have three different zoning designations. The 13.21 acres are zoned Urban Area Reserve (UAR), the main parcel containing the ranger district headquarters is zoned Public Facility (PF), and the piece across Highway 20 that contains the East Portal for Highway 242 is zoned Open Space (OS).