by Richard Uhlhorn
Several weeks ago, Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gearing and County Department Heads held a meeting in Chelan City Council Chambers to discuss County activities and to answer questions that residents may have.
Deanna Walter, County Development Director, spoke to the planning department’s activities. She said that staff turnover is always an issue and that the department is down two building technicians.
Deanna Walter
She said that average permitting with the Planning Department is three weeks for residential applications and three months for commercial applications. Interest rates have risen enough to make construction affordability difficult.
“We are looking for ways to increase density,” said Walter. She also said that manufactured homes are not allowed in Wenatchee and wondered why.
Short Term Rentals:
Walter said the County is still accepting applications for STRs in Manson. “I’m big on customer service,” she said. Chelan City Councilman John Olson asked if the County would accept tiny homes to alleviate affordable housing issues. Walter replied it was a great idea and the County is not closing down on it.
Microsoft plans:
Olson also asked about Microsoft plans in Malaga. Walter replied that the only thing they have received is an application to permit a retaining wall. “They are a ways out,” said Walter. She said the final facility would employ 70 for each building. “I don’t know what that means. There is no housing component. We don’t have workforce camping or an RV Park.”
ADU Density requirements:
The County allows for 12 units per acre and ADUs are exempt from density requirements. “ADUs don’t count for denisity.”
County Engineer:
Chelan County Engineer Eric Pierson remarked that the County is embarking on its chip sealing work with a lot of it being accomplished in the Manson area. “The work is weather dependent,” aid Pierson. He explained that the County schedules chip sealing of the main roads every two years and the residential roads every four years.
The budget for chip sealing is $1.7 million dollars.
Gearing remarked that Manson Blvd. has been narrowed to 11 feet in hopes it will lower speed limits to 25 mph. They have also posted No Parking Signs in the alley behind Manson Blvd. so Fire and EMS vehicles can get through.
Totem Pole road work is in the design stage and will include sidewalks and a new stormwater system. The initial estimate for this work is $2.3 million dollars. “The plan is to construct in 2026,” said Gearing.
Natural Resources:
Mike Kaputa, Natural Resources Director, told the audience that the Watershed Planning Unit and the County are working hard at keeping invasive species out of Lake Chelan. Zebra and Quagga mussels are the worst fear and a boat inspection program is in place. “Lake Chelan is at high risk,” said Kaputa.
The boat inspection program is mobile and made available through a series of grants to pay for six seasonal workers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s. “We want to collect as much information where boats are coming from,” said Kaputa.
Kaputa shared a story about a Minnesota couple that drove directly to Mill Bay where they tried to launch their boat only to find it locked to the trailer. “It had been flagged in Minnesota for invasive species.” Washington State Fish and Wildlife was called and the boat was cleaned.
Grizzly Bear introduction:
Much to the chagrin of local residents, Grizzly bear introduction to the North Cascade complex is back on the table. The National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife are planning on introducing 10 bears annually for the next 20 years. That is up to 200 bears added to the ecosystem.
The biggest fear regarding Grizzly’s is potentially dangerous human interaction situations. Management is an issue. Wolves are currently being managed on the forests and a number of packs have been located..
Bull Trout re-introduction:
The introduction of the federally endangered Bull trout into Lake Chelan tributaries is being studied. If allowed the potential impacts could be profound. The study will not be finished for several more years and there will be public meetings on the issue in the future.
Water availability:
“We don’t have an immediate shortage, but we don’t have an endless supply,” said Kaputa. He added that there was plenty of water for the next 10 to 12 year horizon. “We are working with plenty of strategies.”
Stehekin:
There is a long term management plan for the Stehekin Community. The Park Service is looking at its land acquisition plan and the PUD is looking at Stehekin’s facility future.
Tiffany Gearing comments:
Gearing remarked that the County received 6,500 comments about an County economic plan. She also said the County is working with the Tribes, in particular with the Colville Confederated Tribe and the Yakima Tribe. They are looking at future partnerships.
Gearing also remarked that the County Commissioners received $2 million requests for lodging tax funds and decided to increase its awards from $560,000 to $800,000.
In Chelan and Manson,k the Echo Valley Ski Club was awarded $70,000 to construct a new rental facility and the Manson Chamber of Commerce was granted $68,000 for a Manson beautification project which includes removing trees and replacing irrigation in the downtown corridor.
The County is seeking a contractor to remove woody debris from the lake. “The PUD has $150,000 from 2005 for this purpose,” said Gearing.
Gearing stated that the County will be relooking at its STR code. “There were some things we didn’t account for,” she stated. Parking was one of the issues that has come up.
All Things Lake Chelan 