City Planning Department struggling with Agri-Tourism issue

by Richard Uhlhorn

On Wednesday, April 17, Community Development Director John Ajax brought the Agri-Tourism issue to the Chelan Planning Commission for discussion and recommendations prior to amending the City’s current code and policies surrounding the issue.

Ajax stated that the discussion would be a continuation of the commission’s previous discussion. “I’m hoping you will weigh in on this,” Ajax said. He added that both Tim McDonald and Brian Patterson were on hand to discuss ag-tourism.

At issue is what defines ag-tourism within the City and its Urban Growth Area (UGA). McDonald had a portion of his Bluewater Terrace development application denied by the Chelan County Hearing Examiner. His application included development of a winery, an event center and for up to 120 vehicles and 20 homestay units. To comply with the City’s current code he would plant five acres of grapes to fulfill the agricultural aspect of the application. The Hearing Examiner denied the homestay units but approved the winery and event center.

Originally, ag-tourism was designed to provide orchardists a method to offer a homestay to help offset some of the costs of operating a working farm so it could remain in agriculture.

Ajax explained that the 2014 ag-tourism policy “doesn’t take into account someone wanting to start a working farm.

Currently the City now has only 160 acres in orchard plus another 69.2 acres in the Urban Growth area. “It is very clear that agriculture operations are being removed and the land is selling for residential development,” said Ajax. Conversely, the City and UGA have a total of 72.7 acres of vineyards.

Tim McDonald, whose Bluewater Terrace application was only partially approved by the Hearing Examiner, told the Planning Commission that, “We’ve been at this for seven years and doing everything we were told and got the rug pulled out from under us. We are asking for a CODE correction.”

McDonald went on to say that his family has been trying to do something productive with the property for 20 years. “We’ve done exactly what we were told to do. This is a financial hardship for our family.”

Brian Patterson, in opposition to McDonald’s wishes said, “All I can say is if the City allows multiple units, it will proliferate in the Valley.” He suggested a ratio of 5 to 10 acres of agriculture for every homestay unit allowed.

John Ajax stated that Chelan is a unique place. “We need to find a balance for the owner and public interest. What we are looking for is largely around homestays with minimum acreage. How much agriculture is needed?”

A code amendment that satisfies both the public, private land owners and developers is a tough one to accomplish and Ajax is struggling with the options. His hope is that the Planning Commission will come forth with a recommendation to help him make a decision to present to the City Council.

Agritourism lacks definition – From a Capital Press article:
There’s no concrete definition of agritourism, complicating matters, as people mean widely different things.

“This creates loopholes, imprecise standards for permit applications and uncertainty for farmers and decision makers alike,” states a report by 1000 Friends of Oregon who are trying to get Oregon’s legislature to write a concise code for agri-tourism.