Board moves forward on Mackenzie Meadow Village plan amendment; asks for draft decisions and follows up deliberations

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 6 heard a multi‑hour de novo public hearing on a quasi‑judicial application from Mackenzie Meadow Village LLC requesting a comprehensive plan amendment and zone change for roughly 58 acres adjacent to the city of Sisters (file no. 2472483839PA840ZC). After applicant presentations, agency input and more than a dozen oral comments both in support and opposition, the board voted to approve the application in principle and directed staff and the applicant to prepare draft decision versions and return for final deliberations.

Senior planner Hallie King presented the application and described the process: the request seeks a plan designation change from resource (forest) to rural residential exception area (RREA) and a corresponding zone change from Forest Use 2 (F‑2) to Multiple Use Agriculture, 10‑acre minimum (MUA‑10). The application also includes a Goal 4 (forest lands) exception (the “reasons” exception) under state rules; the hearings officer previously held an initial hearing and issued a recommendation for approval on June 25. King told the board that staff posted the commissioners’ memo on July 30 and had received eight additional written comments before the meeting (six in opposition, two in support).

Applicant attorney Chris Koback said Mackenzie Meadow Village LLC (MMV) — property owners who described long ties to Sisters — is seeking the designation and zone change to be plausibly prioritized for a future city of Sisters urban growth boundary (UGB) expansion. Koback said the property is 58 relatively level acres adjacent to existing development, already platted in three legal lots, has utility stubs to the south,…