Decision Delayed Regarding Expansion of Sisters’ Urban Growth Boundary

Sisters City Council has delayed its decision on the proposed expansion of its urban growth boundary until Nov. 5.

That’s due largely to the recent rezone Deschutes County granted McKenzie Meadow Village, a 58-acre multifamily development north of Sisters High School. That Oct. 6 rezone brings the parcel from Forest Use 2 to Multiple-Use Agricultural — qualifying it for potential inclusion into the proposed UGB expansion.

The population of Sisters is projected to nearly double by 2043, according to a study by Portland State University Population Research Center. That means its 2023 population of 3,649 will reach about 7,108 in that time, nearly doubling its total needed housing units to about 4,054. An Urban Growth Boundary expansion is expected to help meet those goals by adding more land into the city’s inventory.

However, city councilors have paused the momentum, citing public objection of MMV’s designation. Opponents include some neighboring Tollgate community members and Central Oregon LandWatch, the nonprofit that often weighs in on land use issues in Central Oregon. The nonprofit announced it would appeal that decision to the State Land Use Board of Appeals. The appellant window expires after 21 days. If set in motion, the appellate process could last a year or longer.

An Oct. 22 workshop, in which the steering committee will bring more information before the Sisters City Council, will allow more time for reflection before the new Nov. 5 decision, said Scott Woodford, Sisters’ community development director.

“The council wanted to punt on the decision to see if, in fact, someone did appeal the decision,” Woodford said.

Hitching the proposed UGB expansion to Mckenzie Meadow Village could drag the UGB expansion beyond its state deadline at the end of 2026. That would mean having to start from fresh, forfeiting the consultant fees, which presently hover around $149,000; they could ultimately ring in at around $239,000, Woodford said.

Concept A.a of the proposed UGB expansion would add about 314 gross acres and about 202 net acres to Sisters city limits.