City snapshot: Housing and portal

• City staff is currently negotiating a development agreement with Northwest Housing Alternatives (NHA) for a multi-family rental workforce housing project on Trinity Way.

The development will be a multi-story building with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, and possibly some studios.

The building design will feature a minimum of 40 affordable workforce units with an additional manager’s unit.

Amenities will include a community space, outdoor play area, and easy access to shopping, work, and other amenities within the city.

Units will be targeted at households making 60 percent of the area median income or less with unit sizes designed for individuals, couples, families, and seniors.

Several funding sources have been secured to support the project, including $400,000 in Urban Renewal funds, over $100,000 in the Affordable Housing Reserve, and $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds reserved by Deschutes County for a multifamily workforce rental housing project in Sisters that should be approved on January 11.

• The official results for Sisters voting in the November 8, General Election are as follows: For City Council (three positions) Susan Cobb 1,088 for 23.81 percent, Sarah McDougall 973 for 21.30 percent, Gary Ross 1,251 for 27.38 percent, and Michael Preedin 1,149 for 25.15 percent. Ballots cast were 2,154 for 4,569 total votes with 108 write-ins. The Charter amendments Measure 9-147 was approved with 1,455 yes votes for 74.43 percent and 500 no votes for 25.56 percent.

• The Public Works Advisory Board (PWAB) reviewed a summary report on feedback from the public open house held in November to showcase three concepts for the proposed East Portal multimodal hub. Concept No. 3 seemed to receive the most positive feedback. It will be advanced with modifications including the addition of long-term parking in the southeast corner, clear RV parking area/option, and a dedicated EV parking area. Option No. 3 contains the sawtooth design for bus pull-ins and was favored by the transit companies. The public favored the natural cover of trees along Highway 20 in Concept 3.

Kittelson & Associates will now work with the City staff to create the preferred concept with engineering drawings, including a refined layout, added detail of onsite facilities (paths, sidewalks, bike parking, restrooms, etc.). They will also make phasing recommendations. The PWAB will review the preferred concept drawings when complete in first quarter 2023 and make recommendations to the City Council. The Deschutes County Commissioners were deciding last week if the City of Sisters would receive the requested $978,000 in STIF funds for construction.

• The PWAB reviewed Kittelson & Associates Barclay Drive conceptual design for the alternative route between the Highway 20/Barclay roundabout and the Highway 20/Locust Street roundabout.

The drawing showed proposed reduction of curves on Barclay Drive to make it possible for traffic to travel at 35 mph. Traffic traveling in both directions between Pine and Locust will be able to travel through without stopping. There will be 9.5-foot multiuse paths on both sides of Barclay, two 13-foot travel lanes, and one 14-foot turn lane down the center of Barclay. The entire stretch will have curbs. Coming from the north on Camp Polk, traffic will be required to stop.

Next steps include refining the ADA pedestrian crossings, a detailed review of all facets of the design, right-of-way acquisitions, securing project funding, and putting the project out to bid.

It is hoped the alternate route and the Highway 20/Locust Street roundabout will be completed within the same timeframe. The design of the roundabout will be done in 2024 with construction hopefully completed in 2025.

• Paul Bertagna announced that the East Portal project made it onto the STIF funding list for transit money. Deschutes County Commissioners were to decide last week if Sisters would be awarded the money they requested.

• Scott Woodford, community development director, reported that the Sunset Meadows Master Plan application is still in process. Oral testimony has been closed but written testimony can still be given until December 22. The next Planning Commission meeting when the hearing on Sunset Meadows will be continued is scheduled for Thursday, January 19.

Other planning work includes the new Parks Master Plan which should be ready for Council approval in February 2023. Applications have been received for projects in the light industrial/residential zone. To accommodate the proposed workforce housing apartment complex on Trinity Way, land in the Heavenly Acres area will need to be rezoned.

• Creekside Campground reservations go live online January 3 for the 2023 camping season.