Gas station denial stands

The City of Sisters Planning Commission decision to deny the application for a major renovation of the Space Age Fuel station at the corner of Highway 20 and Pine Street will stand.

“No appeal of the Planning Commission denial of the Space Age service station (file nos. SP22-02/MCU 22.01) proposal was filed prior to the end of the 14-day appeal period which ended August 3, 2023. Therefore, the Planning Commission decision is final,” according to Matthew Martin, City principal planner.

Following the Planning Commission’s denial of the application to rebuild the Space Age, the appeal period was available to Jim Pliska of Space Age to ask the Sisters City Council to reconsider the application.

The Nugget asked if Pliska had legal options to sue the City over the denial.

“I suppose a party can sue but I’m not aware on what legitimate legal grounds a filing would be based. The Sisters Development Code indicates a decision is final and effective if a timely appeal is not filed,” Martin said.

The City originally received a land use application from Space Age requesting approval to replace the existing service station with a 3,500-square-foot convenience store and a 16-point fuel island and canopy. The Planning Commission denied the application on the grounds that the large scale of the new station was not compatible with the surrounding businesses and neighborhoods.

Many Sisters citizens testified against the expansion at several public hearings, mentioning concerns about traffic congestion, the size of the proposed station, lighting in the canopy, and that it didn’t “fit” with Sisters’ small-town feel.