Updated 11-15-24
PROJECT UPDATES
City of Sisters is Hosting a Community Open House on the Urban Growth Boundary Expansion and is Inviting Citizens to Offer Input on Where and How the City Will Grow
The City of Sisters will be hosting an open house on its Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Expansion process on Monday, December 9, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the new Sisters Elementary School and is inviting the public to come learn more about the future of the community and make their voices heard. All are invited to the open house, including Sisters residents as well as those living in Sisters Country and beyond.
At the open house, you will learn more about progress made so far on the UGB expansion project – including on how much land is needed to address needed housing, businesses, parks, roads, and other elements of the community to keep up with the projected population growth over the next twenty years; the boundary of the study area; and which lands are higher priority for expansion than others, according to state rules. Participants also will have the opportunity to view maps of possible concepts for the UGB expansion – as well as have opportunity to provide the city with your thoughts on them – feedback which will be used to ultimately inform the preferred UGB expansion area.
The Draft Study Area Report describes the preliminary UGB study area and the character of land within it, as well as potential exclusion areas and how land in the study area is prioritized for accommodating the projected land need of approximately 250 acres. It also introduces Initial Concepts for UGB Alternatives for community discussion. These Initial UGB Alternative Concepts can be viewed on pages 16-22 of the presentation.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
In late 2023, the City Council directed city staff to pursue an Amendment to the city's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) to expand the UGB. According to the UGB Sufficiency Report the approximate needed acreage in a UGB expansion is between 206-256 acres. The expansion process will involve review and consideration of approval by the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners followed by the Department of Land Conservation and Development and will take between 1-2 years and is anticipated to be completed by the end of September 2025.
During the process, there will be ample opportunities for public comment and city staff will provide educational outreach to the Sisters community on the process. The city has retained the services of MIG Inc., a land use consultant, to assist the city with the process.
On June 12, 2024, the Mayor appointed the members of the UGB Steering Committee. Six at-large citizen positions were appointed in addition to elected and appointed city officials, city staff, farm and forest interests, and landowners in the UGB Study Area. The Committee will review draft materials, assist with public engagement efforts, and make key recommendations to City Council.
QUICK LINKS
- Project Schedule
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Story Map of the UGB Amendment Process
- Sign Up for Project Emails to Stay Involved
DOCUMENTS
Public Meetings: All of the packets and video recordings of the meetings where the UGB Amendment was discussed (see list below) can be accessed in the Meetings and Agendas page on the city website via this link.
- October 23, 2024 City Council Workshop
- October 17, 2024 Planning Commission Workshop
- October 3, 2024 Steering Committee Meeting #3
- August 14, 2024 City Council Workshop
- August 1, 2024 Planning Commission Workshop
- July 25, 2024 Steering Committee Meeting #2
- June 27, 2024 Steering Committee Meeting #1
- June 26, 2024 City Council Workshop Packet
- June 6, 2024 Planning Commission Workshop
PROJECT REPORTS
- Update to the 2021 Housing Needs Analysis (HNA) and Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA)
- Draft Land Needs Report
- Draft Study Area Report 7-12-24
- Draft Study Area Report 9-25-24
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
MEDIA COVERAGE
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2023/11/08/news/how-will-sisters-grow/35791.html
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2024/05/15/news/where-and-how-will-sisters-grow/36452.html
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2023/11/15/news/city-looks-toward-ugb-expansion/35860.html
QUESTIONS
Contact Scott Woodford, Community Development Director, at 541-323-5211 or swoodford [at] ci.sisters.or.us (swoodford[at]ci[dot]sisters[dot]or[dot]us)