Hearing set on gas station

The application for redevelopment of the Space Age service station at 411 W. Cascade Ave. is finally complete and the process for consideration of approval will move forward, according to Sisters City Planning Department.

On Thursday, June 1, 4 p.m., at City Hall, the Planning Commission will be briefed on the application by City staff. The intent is for this workshop to provide preparation for the public hearing that will occur on the request. That hearing is scheduled for June 15 at 5:30 p.m. No formal action or public comment will be taken by the Planning Commission at the work session. Public comment will be possible at the June 15 public hearing.

When the Space Age owner originally came to the City several years ago and asked for permission to make some improvements to the station, the Planning Commission recommended, and the City Council approved, updates to the Development Code to allow for improvements to the service stations on Cascade, to keep them from falling into disrepair. The changes to the code were for improvements, not for allowing new stations.

Pliska Investments LLC owns the subject property which sits between West Cascade Avenue and West Hood Avenue and South Pine Street and a vacant lot. Pliska Investments in Clackamas, Oregon owns or has owned numerous gas stations, a golf course, and a hotel in Oregon.

The prospect of a much larger presence on the corner of West Cascade and South Pine has proven to be unpopular with many Sisters citizens. The proposed new convenience store, as originally designed, would have 3,500 square feet of space; the station would have eight towers with 16 fuel pumps; an overhead canopy with lighting; related site improvements; and increased asphalt area for parking. C & C Nursery and Richard’s Farmstand would both have to move from their current locations behind the station.

Materials relating to both workshop agenda items are available on the City website under Meetings & Agendas. All items in the proposal record for the service station can be found under Community Development on the City website, http://www.ci.sisters.or.us.