by Richard Uhlhorn
CORRECTION: Brian Patterson was not speaking on behalf of the proposed Bluewater Terrace project as the president of the Chelan Basin Conservancy, but as a concerned resident of Manson. I have changed the verbage to reflect that. Patterson has been an outspoken local advocate on many issues in the Valley and is best known for his advocacy to get the rules changed on how old orchard lands are developed.
After a one-month hiatus, the Manson Community Council met on Tuesday evening, October 17 with a full council in session including Kari Sorenson who agreed to come back when asked. Sorenson quit her position earlier in the year because of an alleged threat by the county towards ag-tourism businesses like her Blue Berry Hills.
Both Chris Willoughby and Cindy Smith are not running for re-election and the Council is seeking two individuals to fill those positions. If interested, email CommunityCouncilManson@gmail.com and you will be sent an election packet. Interested residents must be registered to vote within the Manson School District boundaries. Applications must be returned by December 1 and the election will take place on December 12.
What is interesting is that the County Planning Department has, after refusing to send the council information on applications, has begun sending out application information for the council to review and comment on.
There were two short plat applications at the County that the Council reviewed on Tuesday. One of them. Neither John Frolker or Chris Willoughby had an issue with the first short plat application.
However the second short plat application raised questions. Willoughby stated that if approved it would create two substandard lots which the county task force, of which both Willoughby and Frolker participated on, decided that creating more substandard lots in the county wasn’t happening, Frolker said that if the Council commented on the application it would comply with all of the Chelan County cooperative decision to not allow. Folker agreed to write a letter from the Council
Brian Patterson, president of the Chelan Basin Conservancy, gave updates on three issues facing the Lake Chelan Valley; 1.- Bluewater Terrace; 2.- Chelan Butte Development news; and 3.- Small scale recreational and tourist use.
Bluewater Terrace:
The Bluewater Terrace developer has resubmitted a reduced application which is smaller in scale from their 2022 application. According to Patterson, the resort type facility will include an event center for 120 individuals, a winery, 20 tourist accommodations and 1.8 acres of vineyards on 14.7 acres of property
“My personal opinion is that it doesn’t comply with Ag-Tourism,” said Patterson. In addition, it would add increased traffic to an already overcrowded Hwy 150 with a dangerous turn onto the highway.
Mike O’Neal, a Manson/Chelan resident, remarked that the exit for the development is at the school bus turnaround and a riparian area where wildlife would be pressured. “There is no domestic water and they want to convert orchard water to domestic,” said O’Neal. “The need a left hand turn lane constructed also.”
Patterson added that he personally would like to see a lot of public comment to the city regarding this development and is almost finished with his letter. The current designation is a Special Use District. Chelan Senior Planner Maggie Boles is handling the application. Comments on the proposed development are due by November 3.
Chelan Butte:
The CBC under Patterson’s guidance has been pushing to stop any development on Chelan Butte. Patterson gave a short recap of activities surrounding those efforts.
He remarked that an effort had been made to have the Trust for Public Lands purchase the privately held 900 acres. The City of Chelan City Council set aside $500,000 towards the potential purchase, however, the Developer continues to work with the City on his development plan.
Patterson said that the Developer is working on a two-phase development plan that would include 78 lots on the Butte. Patterson added that the plan included a high density development on the east side of the property. (Actually the developer’s plan is to build affordable housing for the local work force on 109 acres above the existing apartments.)
Patterson noted that the Boundary Line Adjustment moratorium stopped the developer from adding another BLA to his plans. The developer, Raja Venugopal and his team was able to get one BLA approved before the moratorium and Patterson said that opens up 58 lots for development.
Patterson also remarked that the fire danger is high on the Butte. Other issues include water, sewer, and roads. Patterson said the CBC will continue its efforts to preserve the Butte until “the bitter end.”
Chelan County Small Scale Recreational & Tourist use:
Patterson reported that the County was proposing changes to its Small Scale Recreational & Tourist code that would allow the development of recreational projects that could include a pubic swimming pool and other tourist related activities which could include cabins. “The cabins could have restrictions on their uses,” said Patterson. “The concern is (potential) tourist accommodations that would look like STRs.”
Apparently these types of activities and development could occur in areas outside UGAs. “The proposed changes have been remanded back to the (Chelan) County Planning Commission.”
Letters of Support:
City Councilman John Olson told the Manson Council that the Colville Confederated Tribe was asked for a “letter of support” for the $22 million Chelan Airport Project. This was forthcoming to the City and subsequently the Tribe has asked for a “letter of support” for a new 500 room hotel, casino and restaurant in Manson.
Olson said the City Council decided that they needed more information and would like the Tribe to make a presentation on their project.
Manson Community Council meets every third Tuesday evening beginning at 6 p.m. in the Manson Parks Building. The council is an advisory group only, but with strong representation for the community they can make a huge difference in how the Community changes.
All Things Lake Chelan 