Can Sisters get two times bigger?

In the next 20 years, the population within Sisters’ city limits is forecast to be double in size, from about 3,400 residents today to over 7,000 by 2042. To prepare for that projected growth, the City Council, the Planning Commission, and City staff have been working with the consulting firm of APG-MIG to develop housing and growth management strategies.

Since early 2022, work has been ongoing on drafting information to support the state-required Housing Plan Update and Efficiency Measures Report. Through numerous work sessions, staff and consultants have received directions from the Council and the Commission for requested revisions to housing policies, the development code, and other tools to help facilitate affordable housing and manage the anticipated growth, while preserving what makes Sisters, Sisters. This long-range planning will help implement the public outreach efforts in the 2018 Sisters Country Vision and the 2021 Sisters Comprehensive Plan.

The Efficiency Measures Project explores strategies to use land within the City Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) more efficiently, through development code amendments, to order to evaluate whether, and to what extent, an amendment to the UGB is needed to accommodate future housing and other land needs. This could include Development Code amendments that allow increased densities and building heights, and incentives to encourage residential units.

The Housing Plan Update Project updates the 2010 Housing Plan and will include a detailed list of strategies and timelines to help facilitate more affordable housing in Sisters. These strategies may include development incentives, cutting regulatory impediments, adjusting fees, and grants or waivers to increase the availability of needed housing. This project will implement the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan related to housing and livability.

The Planning Commission is guiding the work on both these projects, and will ultimately provide recommendations to the City Council. The next Commission workshop is Thursday, September 22, 4 p.m., at City Hall. The public is invited to attend.

In-depth information on both projects can be found at the project website www.ci.sisters.or.us/community-development/page/notable-active-projects.

The City would like to hear from the citizens regarding what they think about the draft recommendations in both documents. There are several ways to get involved to provide input on the future of Sisters’ housing and land use.

An online survey is available at the above website to review draft recommendations in the two plans, and your level of support for the strategies designed to manage growth. Paper surveys are available at City Hall.

Community members are invited to an open house event where you can learn more about these projects, on Thursday, October 6, 4 to 7 p.m. at Sisters City Hall.

Work sessions will be held on September 22, 4 p.m., with the Planning Commission and October 12, with the City Council, 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Additional hearings will occur in November.

Public comment is welcome. Submit comments to Community Development Director Scott Woodford at [email protected] or call 541-323-5211.