by Richard Uhlhorn
Manson Community Forum:
Instead of sending out a Community Survey, the Manson Community Council in association with the Manson Chamber of Commerce, Fire District and Parks Department will hold a live Community Forum at the Grange Hall on June 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “We need to bring the community together,” said Kari Sorenson.
Street Parking Issues:
Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gearing told the Council that Chelan County has placed survey markers along Pedoi Street designating County right of way. Many of the residents have infringed on the County right of way and Gearing said, “Letters are being sent out to the property owners.”
The letters are asking the residents to remove any improvements they may have made within the right of way, and if they don’t comply, the County will come through and do it. The residents have until June 3 to comply.
The right of way will be turned into parking. One issue that came up was the residence across the street from the Parks Building that have installed a retaining wall in the right of way. Asked if it would be removed, Gearing said she wasn’t sure.
Gearing was also asked where does the county stop writing notices of right of way violations. Gearing replied, “If it is not causing a problem, we don’t enforce.”
She was asked if the County was considering the Botske problem all the way up. “If they would pull that Island out so trucks can make that turn it would stop them from using Wapato Way,” said one resident. Gearing replied she would look into that.
Sorenson added that she would like to see no boats, boat trailers or overnight parking on Pedoi. “Is that something Manson can get added to the code,” asked Sorenson.
Colville Tribe Plans:
Gearing said she and other county officials took a field trip with the Colville Tribes. “They were great to work with and told us the Casion/Hotel plan was on hold indefinitely.”
“We realize they don’t have to share, but we need to plan around what they are doing,” she stated.
Bob Goedde, Chelan liaison with the Council remarked that the tribe is currently looking at building a casino complex in Tri-Cities where there are 250,000 residents. “They asked us for a letter of support for the Manson casino,” said Goedde. “We asked for more information, but never got more information.”
Gearing also reported that Chelan County was trying to bring back a lumber mill. “The goal is to promote forest health,” said Gearing who added that the DNR, Forest Service and Representative Schier’s office are all on board with the plan.
STR regulations:
Gearing was asked if there had been any changes to the County’s Short Term Rental codes? “Nothing has happened yet,” she said. She said solutions to the code have been discussed and getting rid of some of the irrelevant language in the code. The proposed changes will go to the County Planning Commission in July or August along with a public comment period on any changes proposed.
Stehekin Master Plan:
Gearing also reported that the County was working with the National Park Service, PUD and residents of Stehekin on a Master Plan for the area. “There are so many interest groups making it difficult to manage,” she said.
Chelan liaison:
Chelan Councilman and Manson Community Council liasion Bob Goedde reported on several issues currently on the City’s agenda.
He mentioned the City Parks PROS plan that will be released soon and can be read on the Parks website. The Six Year Transportation plan and the Transportation Benefit District being proposed to the City’s residents.
Agritourism with wineries being allowed to have homestay units or not.
Goedde also mentioned the current Our Valley Our Future program and suggested that the Manson Council appoint someone to the committee.
Regarding Goedde’s efforts to make the old Woodin Avenue Bridge two-way again, Goedde said the difference in Chelan’s transportation woes would be changed dramatically if the bridge was turned back to a 2-way bridge. “It would reduce traffic flow on Johnson and Saunders from 600 vehicles to 400 vehicles.”
Manson resident John Olson however, shot back that idea and explained the entire public process that turned the bridge into a one-way into town. “Eventually someone would be killed which would be a City liability if turned back,” explained Olson. He added that there were engineering reports and council approval to change the bridge to a one-way when Mike Cooney was mayor.
Agritourism:
Brian Patterson brought up the Bluewater Terrace proposal to construct 20 homestay units on land that is not currently in agriculture. He said that the developer, Tim McDonald was led to believe the City code supported his proposal, but that the Hearing Examiner denied the homestay proposal.
The Bluewater Terrace development has led the City planners and Planning Commission to try and rewrite the agritourism code so it will accommodate a much broader development plan. “Hopefully, there is a compromise (code) without completely destroying agriculture,” said Patterson.
Sorenson stated that her family received a bill from Manson Growers after delivering their crop to the warehouse. “Even our blueberries. We can’t sell our blueberries.”
Gearing remarked that the couple who started Chelan Valley Farms came to the Valley to start an agritourism business. “They figured out how to make it work,” she said.
Olson replied that it is going to take some smart thinking. “Every farmer is just hanging on.”
One visitor remarked that people want to keep the trees. “People are going to lose the very reason they are coming here.”
Orchardists are being forced to make hard decisions. Should they keep farming, or should they pull their trees and turn the acreage into housing lots. A new agritourism code that allows reasonable expansion of homestay may be the only alternative for them to stay in the farming business.
Sorenson added, “I don’t know whether we still qualify as a rural village anymore.”
The Manson Community Council meets on the third Wednesday of each month and the community is encouraged to attend. The meetings are held in the Parks Meeting room beginning at 6 p.m.
All Things Lake Chelan 