247-26-000105-PA, 247-26-000106-ZC - City of Sisters Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Expansion

Background

In late 2023, the Sisters City Council directed staff to pursue an Amendment to the city's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) to expand the UGB in order to accommodate the community’s growing land needs for residential, employment, open space, and infrastructure uses. 

The UGB amendment process began in Spring 2024, during which time there were numerous meaningful opportunities for residents, stakeholders, interest groups, property owners, and the broader community to engage with the process. Engagement activities included formal and informal virtual engagement opportunities, a community open house (in-person), community conversations, and multiple City Council and Planning Commission informational meetings that were open to the public.

The City also appointed the members of a citizens 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 reviewed draft materials, assisted with public engagement efforts, and made key recommendations to the city.

Based on recommendations of the Steering Committee and direction from the Sisters City Council to begin the application process, staff have prepared a formal application to amend the Sisters UGB. The application has been submitted to the City of Sisters and Deschutes County for adoption. At the conclusion of the local process, the proposal will be forwarded to the State of Oregon for formal acknowledgement.

Proposal Summary

The City of Sisters proposes an amendment to the city's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) for needed housing, employment opportunities, parks and open space, and other urban uses. The proposed amendment would add 318.6 gross acres of land, to the east of the current UGB north of Highway 126 and south of Sisters Eagle Airport. A map illustrating the proposal UGB expansion can be located at the bottom on this webpage under "Supplementary Materials."

The Deschutes County portion of the amendment process would change the County zoning and County Comprehensive Plan designations for the properties in the proposed expansion area in preparation for future annexation into city limits. Future City of Sisters zoning designations for individual parcels are not under evaluation through the UGB amendment process, as those issues will be addressed through subsequent City's processes.

Proposal Status & Public Hearing Information

This project will rely on input from the public through a legislative process. A series of public hearings will be held before the Deschutes County Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.

As required by Oregon State Statute, please note that a parallel UGB Amendment process is being held before the City of Sisters Planning Commission and City Council. If you wish to participate in the City process, you can find more information at the following website: https://www.ci.sisters.or.us/community-development/page/2024-urban-growth-boundary-amendment

The first public hearing to review the proposed UGB will be held before the Deschutes County Planning Commission on Thursday, May 28, 2026, 5:30 pm during the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. Members of the public may listen, view, and/or participate in this hearing in person or by using Zoom at the following link: https://bit.ly/dcpzoom. Alternatively, the public may dial in 1-253-215-8782, and entering the Webinar ID: 824 8646 7893; and Passcode: 764609

The public can provide testimony in person in the Barnes and Sawyer Rooms of the Deschutes Services Center, 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend.

Specific information regarding the agenda for the meeting can be located at the following link one week before: https://www.deschutes.org/bc-pc/page/planning-commission-79

A second joint public hearing will be held before the Sisters City Council and the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners at a future date following conclusion of the Planning Commission process.

To share this page with others use the shortened link: https://www.deschutes.org/sistersugb

Staff Contact

Kyle Collins, Senior Planner - Long Range
Kyle.Collins@deschutes.org
(541) 383-4427