City plans major expansion to accommodate rapid growth

During a recent government meeting, the City Council received an update on the ongoing urban growth boundary (UGB) amendment process, presented by Director of Community Development Scott Woodford and Andrew Paresh from MIG. This update marks three months into the project, which aims to address the city's anticipated growth and land use needs.

The UGB amendment process is a response to extensive long-range planning efforts that began with a housing needs analysis in 2019. This analysis, along with a comprehensive plan update, has highlighted the necessity for expanding the UGB to accommodate projected population growth in the city of Sisters, which is currently experiencing the highest growth rate in Deschutes County.

Paresh outlined the current phase of the project, which involves finalizing land needs assessments and preparing for a steering committee meeting to discuss a draft report. The next steps include establishing a study area that meets state requirements and exploring various expansion alternatives. A significant public engagement effort is planned for January 2024, where community members will have the opportunity to review and discuss potential future developments.

The council was informed that the process will prioritize land for inclusion in the UGB based on state guidelines, starting with urban reserves, followed by exception areas, and then lower-priority lands. The final expansion area will depend on the characteristics of the parcels included, such as their development capacity and existing land use.

No formal action was requested from the council during this update, but the meeting served to keep council members informed and engaged as the city navigates its growth planning efforts. The next phases of the UGB amendment process will continue throughout the summer and into next year, with the goal of adopting a preferred alternative by mid-2024.