Planning commission recommends approval of Sisters UGB expansion, forwards amendment to council

The Sisters Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a comprehensive plan amendment (City File CP-20601) that would expand the city’s Urban Growth Boundary by about 315 gross acres and designate the area as Urban Area Reserve for future urbanization. A commissioner moved to accept the staff-recommended amendment and another commissioner seconded; the motion passed after the Chair called for the question and “Aye” votes were recorded from all present.

Staff and consultants framed the amendment as the result of a multiyear process tied to the city’s 20-year housing and employment needs analyses. Scott Woodford, the city’s community development director, told the panel: "So once this land is brought into the urban growth boundary, the land stays in the county until the property owners petition the city to annex into the city." Commissioners emphasized that annexation, infrastructure funding and subsequent area planning would govern timing and service provision.

During deliberations, commissioners weighed urgency to add supply against concerns about developability of some parcels and an active appeal on the Mackenzie Meadows Village (MMV) parcel. Legal counsel noted the county’s rezoning for MMV is under appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) with briefing concluding June 17, oral argument within two weeks and a decision expected in late July or early August. The Commission concluded the amendment as proposed met the priority-1 land tests under state goals and forwarded the recommendation to City Council for final action.