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Public testimony on UGB expansion splits between housing supporters and residents citing traffic, fire and airport concerns
Summary
Public commenters at the hearing offered a mix of views: environmental and housing advocates backed the preferred UGB to enable housing and protect farmland, while several residents raised concerns about transportation impacts, wildfire risk and proximity to the airport; a property owner requested a wildlife corridor.
Public testimony at the Planning Commission hearing reflected sharply different local priorities: conservation and housing advocates urged approval to secure land for walkable, affordable and workforce housing, while several residents raised practical concerns about traffic, wildfire risk and airport safety.
Kristen Ridelberger of Central Oregon Land Watch testified in support, arguing the proposal "represents a balanced and thoughtful approach to long term growth" and urged the Commission to exclude the Mackenzie Meadows Village (MMV) parcel from the expansion because that parcel is on appeal to LUBA and presents wildfire, wildlife and transportation concerns. Peter Hoover of Sisters Habitat for Humanity took a neutral stance but stressed that land brought into the UGB must be realistically developable and timely if it is to help deliver affordable units.
Opposition speakers focused on site-specific risks. A resident identified as Boris said he did not accept staff’s transportation conclusions, telling the panel: "You can't just say that it's not gonna it's gonna be negligible because... that's a shell game," and raised concerns about locating higher-density housing adjacent to the airport and about defensible-space constraints with tight building setbacks. Landowner Bruce Rungland asked the Commission to record a request for a wildlife corridor linking Whitechuse Creek and Highway 126 to protect deer and other animals.
