by Richard Uhlhorn
The Imagine Downtown Chelan project received a major push forward at Chelan’s Tuesday City Council meeting.
Public Works Director Jake Youngren brought forth a series of configuration options for the beautification of the downtown core.
“I want to advance to the design phase so I can start building construction documents,” said Youngren.
Mayor Elect Erin McCardle stated that the parking of semi-trucks in the middle of Woodin Avenue is against the City Code. “It’s something tat goes against our City Code, but we allow it,” she said. However, the City Code regarding Parking does allow double parking for a period of 15 minutes to offload supplies for restaurants. The primary reason, for allowing semi’s to park in the middle of Woodin to offload is because of the difficulty of maneuvering in the alleys.
Each configuration presented below was discussed individually.
Configuration Selection No. 1: I move to advance the Imagine Downtown Project design with (12’, 14’, or 16’) foot wide sidewalks.
One of the biggest issues of the project was the widening of Woodin Avenue’s sidewalks. Peter Jamtgaard suggested that the project should consider widening to 13 versus 14 or 16 feet. “I don’t see that reflected here,” he said. “Rather than voting on it, I would like to see drawings.”
Youngren remarked that the City had set up exhibits downtown and received a lot of feedback. “I am open to the Council’s guidance on this,” he stated. Jamtgaard replied that the 16′ should be thrown out and the 13′ width he suggested would be enough. “Maybe we don’t have to go to 14′”
Consultant Tom Beckwith remarked that with semi’s parking to offload there was currently 10.1′ on both sides for cars to pass and if widened to 14′ there would still be enough room for cars to pass on either side of a semi even if the trailer’s are widened to 9 feet.
The other issue with widening the sidewalks is the storm drainage system. “The mainline runs down the center of the avenue with laterals coming from the sidewalk area. There will be some potential challenges with that.
Tim Hollingsworth said the City needs to look at ways “We can run trucks in the alleys” Beckwith replied that the main challenge of doing that was with the beverage trucks. “It didn’t seem feasible.” Youngren also stated that every business had been contacted.
The Council passed a motion to increase the width of the sidewalks to 14 feet.
Configuration Selection No. 2: I move to advance the Imagine Downtown Project design with (45 or 60) degree angle parking angles.
After some discussion concerning the angle of parking, the Council decided to leave well enough alone to see how it works out.
Configuration Selection No. 3: I move to advance the Imagine Downtown Project design with (9’, 9.5’, or 10’) wide parking stalls.
The Council supported the 9’5″ configuration as the most efficient for both cars and pickups.
Configuration Selection No. 4: I move to (include or exclude) a crosswalk on the 200 block of Woodin Avenue in the design of the Imagine Downtown Project.
The crosswalk question apparently didn’t get much traction in the questionnaire and the Council scratched it from consideration.
Configuration Selection No. 5: I move to (include or exclude) the proposed public parking lot improvements on the north side of the 100 block of Woodin Avenue in the design of the Imagine Downtown Project.
Beckwith feels that 60º parking angles in both the North and South parking lots is the best use of the space. “They need sidewalks to there is some kind of definition.” Youngren added that he needed to know whether or not to include sidewalks.
Mayor Bob Goedde remarked that Chelan doesn’t have a parking problem. Signage pointing to parking would help with that issue.. Beckwith replied that if the parking lots were more attractive and accommodating it would help.
Amiee Sheridan agreed that there is plenty of parking, but getting people to use the parking and get them downtown is an issue.
Jamtgaard added that making the entrance to the north parking lot off Columbia might get more people using the lot. He also suggested meters to encourage people to seek off street parking.
Configuration Selection No. 6: I move to (include or exclude) new restrooms and common space improvements adjacent to Columbia Street North of Woodin Avenue in the design of the Imagine Downtown Project.
Beckwith said that Public Restrooms are important and suggested that the restrooms at the old Chamber building were not family friendly and not considered safe. He has suggested that the City consider putting in unisex cells. “This would make a big improvement downtown.”
Beckwith stated that a lot of design work can be done with the parking lots. The Council approved the design work on the parking lots.
Configuration Selection No. 7: I move to (include or exclude) the proposed public parking lot improvements on the south side of the 200 block of Woodin Avenue in the design of the Imagine Downtown Project.
See No 5!
Vehicle/Trailer Plate Search:
James Hayter – Chelan Parks, brought forth a motion to authorize the Mayor to finalize and execute the Washington State Department of Licensing Use and Disclosure Agreement for Contracted Vehicle/Trailer Plate Search.
The purpose of this Agreement is for Department of Licensing (DOL) to establish the terms and conditions upon which it will grant Licensee with limited access and use of DOL’s Contracted Plate Search (CPS) system.
According to Hayter, the Parks Department has a number of issues trying to locate owners of vehicles and boat trailers for a variety of reasons. The DOL agreement would allow the Parks Department access to the search system to determine ownership.
Hayter said that without the agreement in place there is no way to determine ownership of vehicles in the RV Park that are parked in the wrong stalls and or trailers in the Marina Parking Lot.
Council approved the motion.
TIF Amendment:
Community Development Director John Ajax put forward an amendment to change Ordinance 0223-1607 establishing the East Chelan Tax Increment Area. The Council unanimously passed the motion to develop a detailed mitigation agreements with Emergency Services and Fire Department with a review before the end of 2024.
Asked if he wanted to make a comment on the TIF issue, Fire Chief Brandon Asher remarked that he had just returned from a Fire Chiefs conference and said, “The conference was packed with chiefs and lawyers. Everywhere they were talking about TIFs (Tax Increment Financing).
Currently Chelan is one of only a few government agencies considering TIFs and it has raised numerous questions by Junior Taxing District’s around the State.
Asher stated that at the State Fire Chief’ Conference, discussions were about mitigation and not enough ground rules.. “We need to come up with a good plan,” said Asher.
Hospital Commission Chair Mary Murphy was sitting quietly in the back of the chambers taking it all in.
Ajax ended the discussion saying, “So what we are doing is kicking the can down the street.”
Mayor Council comments:
Shari Dietrich was pleased that the truck delivery code was changed for the downtown area.
The rest of the Council members passed on making comments… highly unusual.
Mayor Goedde announced that $15 million will be spent upgrading the Transfer Station.
Jackie Tuppling said she had met with the Historic Downtown Chelan Association and both agreed to continue taking the B&O credit that the City can receive. “We still have $39,000 available and our share is $9,700 this year.” She asked the Council to continue the program. Aimee Sheridan, executive director of the HDCA thanked her and the Council.
John Ajax reported that Chelan County Hearing Examiner Andrew Kottkamp denied Campbell Lodges request for a Parking Variance which in essence has shut down the 16 unit Town Home Project above Riverwalk Park until further notice.
All Things Lake Chelan 