Prineville Planning Commission directs staff to pursue formal TSP amendment for Peters Road southern alignment

The Prineville Planning Commission voted on Sept. 15 to direct staff to prepare a formal amendment to the city’s Transportation System Plan (TSP) to adopt a proposed southern alignment for Peters Road.

Associate Planner Tasha Brackin presented the proposal, citing State planning goal #12 and the City’s Comprehensive Plan and saying the alignment would provide "a more direct connection between Lamonta Road and North Main Street" while "relieving traffic pressures in the downtown streets." Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Casey Kaiser noted constraints with the current east-west alignment at the northern edge of the property identified as Smith Landing and said some improvements are projected more than ten (10) years into the future. He also confirmed that projected costs and who would be responsible for constructing the collector remain open questions for later study.

During public testimony, Joe Bessman of Transight Consulting highlighted traffic benefits of the southern alignment, including "traffic mitigation" and "avoidance large trucks passing through a residential neighborhood." Adam Smith of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt spoke on behalf of property owners of the Smith Landing parcel (listed in materials as "SV013 LLC"), and property owner Mark Rhoden sought clarification of his family's ownership of the parcel shown as the "Deboard Property" and described "topographical challenges" with some alternate alignments.

Commissioner Priscilla Smith moved to have staff proceed with the formal TSP amendment for the southern Peters Road alignment; Commissioner Brian Samp seconded. The motion passed with five in favor and none opposed. The action directs staff to prepare amendment materials and return them for further review; it does not adopt a final roadway alignment or commit construction funding.

The staff presentation noted that the TSP contains a range of improvements with varying timelines and that additional technical analysis, public outreach and funding discussions will follow as the formal amendment is developed. The Commission will consider the formal amendment and any proposed implementation steps at a future meeting.