by Richard Uhlhorn
Golf Course Nordic Grooming:
This past weekend the Lake Chelan Nordic Club groomed trails at the Chelan Golf Course. In addition to having ski trails close to town, the driving range hill is open to sledding.
Agtourism code change:
The current code allows for homestays equaling 4 units on 10 acres (low density) or 20 units on 10 acres (high density).
Ag Tourism including homestay units is currently permitted in the following zones: SUDs; Residential multi-family; Warehouse and industrial; and Tourist accommodation areas for a total of 2,524 acres available.
City Planning Director
Proposed changes:
Homestay provision is removed from the code across all acreage;
Ag. Based STR rental licenses will only be allowed in Special Use Districts (701 acres)
- 2.5 or 5 acres
- At least 51 percent of the land must be actively used for agricultural purposes
- Licenses would allow rentals for a single family home, an ADU, or winery with up to five units.
- Only a maximum of 10 licenses would be issued per year.
President signs Water Resources Development Act
The City of Chelan is the potential recipient of a $9 million dollar grant from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The City will have to ask the Army Corps for the funding that has been in the congressional process over a year. The funding will be used specifically for a new one million gallon reservoir.
Thanks to Representative Schrier, Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell for helping push Chelan’s request through the governmental process. “Their effort has been pivotal to realizing the inclusion of this project in the bill,” said Mayor Erin McCardle.
The bill was signed into law by President Biden on January 4, 2025. Called the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act, it will fund projects like flooding, improvement to ports, and help restore ecosystems.
With the passage and signing of this legislation, Chelan can now apply for competitive funding through the Army Corps of Engineers’ Section 219 program, bringing this essential Chelan project closer to realization. The funds would be administered by the Corps of Engineers.
Public Works is hoping to fully fund the reservoir project with federal grant funds. According to Public Works Director Jake Youngren if additional funds are needed the Tax Increment Financing program is an option to be used.
Originally called the East Chelan Water Project, the new name is the Lake Chelan Water Resiliency and Efficiency Project. The total cost of the project is estimated at $19 million dollars and will include a new booster pump and water lines from the western city limits to the east end where the reservoir will be constructed.
Public Works Director Jake Youngren told the council that the project would be stand alone. “It doesn’t affect our current system.” Youngren went on to say that public works will have to have further conversations with property owners along the proposed corridor.
Ecology grant loan:
A $5 million dollar grant application for a sewer line replacement project from Safeway all the way down to the Chelan Wastewater Treatment Plant did not make the Department of Ecology’s hardship level, however, Youngren told the council that Ecology has offered a $7.5 million dollar loan. This loan would be paid back in five years at a 6 percent interest rate.
“We would only pay on what we would draw,” said Youngren. The project is under contract for design. “There are a lot of components to work out.”
Parks:
Parks Director Paul Horne reported several rate and fee changes for the Chelan Golf Course.
Powered golf cart leases were changed from $600 to $650 for annual single lease and from $800 to $850 for the annual family lease. Annual cart storage was raised from $400 to $425. A small bucket of driving range balls will now cost $7 instead of $6.
The Parks Department will be purchasing new parking kiosks for Don Morse, Lakeside and Lake Chelan Marina. “The new system will be more robust,” said Horne. Visitors will be able to pay via R code or the City Parks website. Parking enforcement will be much easier.fd
Other improvements will take place at Lakeside Park where day camping will not be allowed. The park will have specific hours of operation and park users will not be able to bring in “the kitchen sink” and stay all day said Horne. “We will hopefully have a reduction in parking and garbage and waste will also be better.”
The department plans on outsourcing enforcement with the Sheriff’s Department helping.
Several residents have suggested that a gate be installed at the entrance to the park. “It’s an intriguing idea,” said Horne.
City Social Media:
Chad Coltman, director of communications, presented the City’s Social Media policy for staff and council members. The city’s social media platforms currently include Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Nextdoor.
Chelan City Council will meet in an official council meeting on Tuesday, January 14 beginning at 6 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend.
All Things Lake Chelan 