Oregon Public Broadcasting

The cowboy theme of Sisters can sometimes hide the city's growth. Now, a Portland development group is asking the Sisters planning commission to sign off on a 10-acre mixed use development north of town. Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

The population of Sisters has nearly doubled since the census was taken in 2000.

And some predict it could double again by 2020.

Despite the construction slowdown around the state, developers say they see growth in the small, western-themed town near Bend.

The Portland-based Willamette Builders Group announced plans for a 10-acre development, called Black Butte Crossing. The plan would bring some retail stores and some about 240 apartments into the city center.

And several other major projects are being considered for Sisters.

But development can be contentious there. Before a McDonald's opened in 2005, it was hit by an arsonist.

And afterwards, a group of residents pushed for a ban on new fast food restaurants.

If the city's planning commission approves the Black Butte Crossing development next month, the city says construction could begin in the spring.