2002-64-Minutes for Meeting January 17,2002 Recorded 1/30/2002TESDESCHUTES COUNTY OFFICIAL RECORDS
CO
COMMISSIONERSMARY SUE '
CLERK
� <,2 01/34/1002 12:24:50 PM
pAt mt Board of Commissioners
1130 N.W. Harriman St., Bend, Oregon 97701-1947
(541) 388-6570 • Fax (541) 388-4752
www.deschutes.org
Tom De Wolf
Dennis R. Luke
Mike Daly
MINUTES OF MEETING
DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2002
Today's meeting was for the Board of Commissioners to Make a Decision
regarding File #PA-01-4/ZC-01-4 (Sisters School District #6 and SOAR) - an
Application for a Plan Amendment Zone Change to Allow the Inclusion of
approximately 98.2 Acres of Subject Property into the Sisters Urban Growth
Boundary; Change the Comp Plan Designation to Urban Residential Reserve; and
Rezone the Property to Urban Area Reserve.
Present were Commissioners Tom De Wolf, Dennis R. Luke and Michael M. Daly.
Also present were Laurie Craghead, Legal Counsel; media representatives Barney
Lerten of bendnet. com, Libby Bouvien of Z-21 TV and Jenny Slater of the Bulletin
Newspaper; and approximately ten citizens.
Chair Tom DeWolf called the meeting to order 8:00 a.m. He then gave a brief
overview of the issue, and asked if there were any comments from staff at this
time.
Laurie Craghead replied that Chris Schmoyer and his wife just had a baby girl
yesterday, and that Kevin Harrison of Community Development was unable to
attend today's meeting in Chris' place. She indicated she would be representing
staff.
DEWOLF:
I have a written statement that I would like to read at this time.
Minutes of Decision Page 1 of 4 Pages
Sisters School District/SOAR Application Thursday, January 17, 2002
Regarding Annexation into Sisters UGB
Quality Services Performed with Pride
DEWOLF:
Based upon the written record in this case, the Hearings Officer concluded that
there is a need for educational and recreational facilities in the Sisters area, and that
there is not sufficient land available within the current Sisters urban growth
boundary. Based on my understanding of the application, the expansion could be
proposed and/or justified by either the school district or SOAR, and that it is not
necessary for both parties to the application to prove the need.
The opponents, Mel Bryan and Jim Mackey, neither in the public hearing on
December 17, 2001, nor in their letter of January 8, 2002, made any attempt to
argue against the need for recreational facilities as proposed by SOAR. Based on
the record, with the conditions of approval recommended by the Hearings Officer
and supplemented by County staff, I believe SOAR can justify the expansion.
The applicant and the opponents disagree on school enrollment numbers and
growth. I am restricted to the information supplied by the two sides in the record
in making a decision. I find it unfortunate that Mr. Bryan and Mr. Mackey limited
themselves to three years of history to support their argument and find that the
applicant's position is more sound based on their reliance on ten years' history.
Mr. Bryan and Mr. Mackey rely in part on the fact that numbers of students are
down in the elementary school. The applicant makes a compelling case that
besides the elementary school in Sisters, the middle and high schools will include
home -schooled kids and other elementary schools. Relying strictly on the record, I
find that the school district has taken a comprehensive planning approach and
complies with policies for Goal 14 by identifying sufficient land for educational
facilities for twenty years.
Additionally, I believe Mr. Bryan and Mr. Mackey do not recognize the impact on
growth that the new sewer system will have. I believe the Hearings Officer has
addressed traffic impact issues sufficiently. I appreciate the effort that Mel Bryan
and Jim Mackey went to in making their case. I haven't often seen citizen input
this complete or well thought out.
Still, based on the record, with the conditions of approval recommended by the
Hearings Officer and supplemented by County staff, I believe the Sisters School
District can justify the expansion. Consequently, I will vote to approve the zone
change application and comprehensive plan amendment.
Minutes of Decision Page 2 of 4 Pages
Sisters School District/SOAR Application Thursday, January 17, 2002
Regarding Annexation into Sisters UGB
DEWOLF:
My suggestion, if the two of you agree, is that we should have that motion to be
subject to the conditions of approval, since the proposed conditions just arrived last
night via e-mail.
As a footnote, I want to reiterate what I stated in the earlier hearing. I am
exceedingly uncomfortable with applications such as this and the Barclay
Meadows application last year in the absence of an updated Master Plan for the
City of Sisters. I have been assured by the Sisters Planning Director and the
Sisters City Council that the Sisters Comprehensive Plan will be completed by the
end of calendar year 2002. Deschutes County has offered to do all within its
power to help the City of Sisters accomplish this critically important goal.
LUKE:
I agree with this, and don't have to make another statement.
DALY:
I also agree. In my opinion, having been through the process of a city getting a
new sewer system, the Sisters sewer system, I think will be the number one criteria
that's going to expand the population of Sisters tremendously. This will end up
with a tremendous need for new schools. A sewer system does wonders for the
population of a city, believe me. I will also be voting in favor of this.
LUKE:
Have there been any comments on the findings that were proposed?
CRAGHEAD:
I've worked with the legal counsel for applicant, and have been reviewing them. I
still have some review to complete, but these findings seem to be normal.
LUKE:
Would it be appropriate if we chose to move the approval subject to further review
of the findings, including the Hearings Officer's recommendations that are in the
findings?
CRAGHEAD:
We've included these in the draft findings.
Minutes of Decision Page 3 of 4 Pages
Sisters School District/SOAR Application Thursday, January 17, 2002
Regarding Annexation into Sisters UGB
LUKE: I move approval of File No. PA-01-4/ZC-01-4, subject to final review of
the draft findings.
DALY: Second.
VOTE: LUKE: Yes.
DALY: Yes.
DEWOLF: Chair votes yes.
Chair Tom De Wolf adjourned the meeting at 8:10 a. m.
DATED this 17th Day of January 2002 for the Deschutes County Board of
Commissioners.
Tom beWo , air
D nnis R. Luke, Commissioner
ATTEST: 44�� �--A
AX,U�r64LA'-.11
Michael M. Daly, mmissioner
Recording Secretary
Minutes of Decision Page 4 of 4 Pages
Sisters School District/SOAR Application Thursday, January 17, 2002
Regarding Annexation into Sisters UGB