by Richard Uhlhorn
UPDATE AND RETRACTION:
The Thursday evening meeting on March 28 was cancelled!
Councilman Mike Kirk stated that he wasn’t uncomfortable with the survey, but wanted to add several more questions and get the approval from the rest of the council.
It was Kari Sorenson who remarked that the council continued to kick the can down the road, not Kirk.
Ex-councilmember John Frolker suggested that he would support a public forum with the Community to discuss the issues.
Councilmember Chris Willoughby said the Council needs to find out the general direction of the community. Kirk stated that the survey is a tool that could be used by the Council in the future.
It was thought that the survey results could form a data base that can be used by the Council.
Kirk stated that people’s lives and property values are affected by STRs. Currently the County Codes require STRs to be separated by a minimum of 200 feet.
Kirk informed me that he cancelled his presense at KOZI because the Thursday evening meeting was cancelled and that was why he was going.
My sincere apologies to Mike Kirk and anyone else on the council for a poor representation of what took place at the meeting. I hope this update corrects the poor reporting on the issues.
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Last week’s Manson Community Council meeting evolved in more talk with little movement toward any achievable action.
Community Survey:
Chairman Kari Sorenson, after listening to new Councilmember, Mike Kirk, state that he was uncomfortable with the Community Survey he has been preparing to send out, but “The Council keeps kicking this and other stuff down the road.”
Kirk seems to be worried at how the Community would react with the current survey questionnaire. “I’m not sure how it’s going to be viewed,” said Kirk.
Ex-councilmember John Frolker suggested that he would support a public forum with the Community at large to figure out what their issues are, however, he also said, “We elected you to be that body, said Frokler.”
Councilmember Chris Willoughby said the Council needs to find out the general direction of the community. Kirk stated that the survey could be used by the Council in the future.
It was suggested that they get member lists from the Chamber and that Kirk go on KOZI with Bob Goedde on Wednesday, which he agreed to do and then cancelled.
CANCELLED -They decided to hold a public meeting at the Manson Parks Building on Thursday, March 28 beginning at 6 p.m. CANCELLED
Chelan/Douglas County Task Force:
John Frolker reported that the Chelan/Douglas County Task Force came up with numerous recommendations for Code Changes during the upcoming 2026 Amendments to the County’s Comprehensive Planning efforts.
County’s Task Force’s main focus was to look at County building codes and how to revise them. After meeting over a several month period, the Task Force which included members from agriculture, real estate, developers and business leaders, approved their findings. Frolker stated that none of the amendments approved will become effective until the 2026 Comprehensive Plan.
STRs
There was a discussion about what percentage of Short-Term Rentals should be allowed in the Manson UGA except for Wapato Point.
Brian Patterson reported that the percentage was well below the six percent allowed. It is currently four percent.
Mike Kirk stated that people’s lives and property values are affected by STRs and the current code states they must be at least 200 feet apart.
John Frolker said he would support a six percent limit. He also stated that STR owners can’t afford to convert to long term rentals. “The County wants to know what we want to do.”
The Council decided that they want a six percent cap on STRs even though the County wants the cap at nine percent.
The Council will write a letter to the County and inform them of their wishes.
Parking:
The community is still dealing with parking issues, particularly on Pedoi Street.
It was brought up that LINK would be constructing a new Park & Ride at Leffler Field which will include restrooms and public parking which should, when built, take the pressure off parking issues in the community.
In other Business:
Brian Patterson reported that Dave McDonald visited with the Chelan Planning Commission and asked what he could do to make his Bluewater Terrace project move forward.
The Chelan County Hearing Examiner denied McDonald’s plans to include 20 homestays (STRs) in his application to the City as a part of his ag-tourism development. This effectively shut down his ability to make Bluewater Terrace into a viable project.
The issue of agritourism was on the Planning Commission’s agenda, and will be discussed at the next City of Chelan Workshop in April.
Patterson also reported that Tsillian Cellars is considering applying for Homestay units within its 90 acre property in the vineyards.
The big question is whether or not wineries and vineyards are considered agriculture.
All Things Lake Chelan 