by Richard Uhlhorn
STATE OF THE CITY PUBLIC FORUM
6 p.m. Thursday, January 22
at
Campbell’s Resort
Citizen comment:
A parent and her daughter gave the City kudos for the building of the Lakeside Trail. The mother expressed her pleasure at having a safe corridor for her daughter to ride her bicycle to school and place to walk safely.
Brian Patterson, Chelan Basin Conservancy, was back at the podium expressing his concern of the city allowing more STRs to build within the City Limits instead of capping the number allowed like other communities have done. He stated that the city already has 414 permitted STRs which is 14% of the city’s residential housing.
The lower Butte properties which includes the 900 acre Butte property is currently zoned TA (tourist accommodation) which means any new house built can apply for an STR license. Patterson feels that any residential development in the City regardless of zoning should be long term.
He stated that 1,500 new STRs are possible if the city doesn’t address the current zoning and/or put a cap on how many STRs can operate within the city limits. The Butte properties are all within the city limits and zoned TA.
The problem, as I see it, doesn’t guarantee affordability and therefore doesn’t meet the standard of what can be considered affordable housing.
Affordable housing is a difficult issue, not just in Chelan, but in many other communities. -Chelan’s real estate market has been mostly second home sales which has taken much of the potential long rentals off the market. Many of these homes remain vacant much of the year.
Golf Cart Lease
The Chelan Parks Department is seeking to avoid a mid-season transition of the current golf cart fleet to new golf carts by arranging for the new carts to be delivered during the off-season and prior to the start of the 2026 golf season.
“That’s a good way to start off,” Councilman Brad Chitty said.
The city is entering into a monthly lease for 72 Club Car Tempo gas powered carts through DLL Financial Solutions Partner, a preferred financing partner for Golf Carts Etc.
Golf Carts Etc. will provide delivery of the new carts and take possession of the old carts, provide warranty and maintenance support.
By taking a winter delivery, the city received a reduced lease rate and will save approximately $25,000 across the duration of the lease.
East Reservoir funding
The city has received an agreement with the Washington Department of Commerce for $2,950,000 for water system improvements to support current demand and future growth.
The State funding will be used to fund design efforts for the East Chelan Reservoir Engineering and Construction Management Services.
Councilman Shane Collins asked if the selection of the reservoir’s final location is a part of the grant. Public Works Director Jake Youngren replied in the affirmative. With the council’s unanimous decision to approve the grant, the funding will become available on January 27.
Seasonal Onsite RV license agreement:
City Administrator Laura McAlloon handled this motion explaining that the seasonal agreement was an appropriate use within the city’s zoning as per Councilman Tim Hollingsworth’s question. “It was a part of the process,” said McAloon.
The agreement will allow airport personnel and others utilize an isolated area at the airport for their RV. McAloon said the city would be responsible for all utilities. One of the benefits, according to McAloon was having an on-site presence at the airport.
Collins asked if the site could be used by city employees? McAloon replied that the city would have to deal with that issue on an Ad-Hoc basis.
Clean Vessel
Lakeshore Marina is one of six locations in the valley with a pump-out station.
The current Clean Vessel Act Operations and Maintenance grant expired on December 31 of 2025. The city is writing a new application for the next five years which is due on January 16, 2026.
Administered through the Washington State Parks Boating Program, the grant reimburse up to 75 percent of eligible operational and maintenance expenses, including staff time. If awarded, the city could be reimbursed up to $12,000 per year for operational and maintenance costs.
The grant has a 25 percent share by the city which has been inserted into the 2026 budget.
Comp Plan update:
Community Development Director John Ajax gave the council an update on the Comprehensive Plan docket which now includes the potential realignment of the Peterson Place/US-97A/Woodin Avenue intersections into a single lane roundabout to enhance traffic operations and serve as a gateway feature to the Butte property owners.
“This will be a major update to the comprehensive plan and will be integrated into the Transportaton element,” Ajax told the council. Ajax said there would be a number of meetings with the Planning Commission and that the plan would be brought back to the council.
Councilman Terry Sanders asked about the roundabout effect and Ajax replied that it is only one idea, but is likely to be some version of the application submitted by the Butte property owners. He added that there will be a much more detailed design in the future.
Councilman Tim Hollingsworth asked if the roundabout was hypothetical? Ajax stated that it would have to be approved through the review process. “We haven’t had time to review the application.”
If and when approved, the proposal would be integrated into six year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Capital Facilities Plan (CFP),incorporating the new corridor, roundabout and internal collector network.
Funding would be through competitive grants and other contributions including developer proportionate impact fees and latecomer agreements.
The city is required to enforce transportation concurrency and uphold an established level of service standards for arterials and related facilities. The proposal from the Butte property owners will be evaluated within the city’s ongoing periodic comprehensive plan update which is due in 2026.
Golf Course Study:
The Parks and Recreation Department has allocated $30,000 in the Golf Course’s budget to conduct a study to establish a Long-Range Economic Strategy.
Interim Parks Director Audrey Cooper reported that the city has received five qualified applications and is currently reviewing the proposals with the golf course staff. The study is slated to begin in early April.
Hollingsworth asked if the study was more economic as opposed to maintenance. Cooper replied that the study would be similar. Hollingsworth asked if the department is hoping for better results than the last study provided. Cooper said, “That is a good question. We are looking for operational long term sustainability.”
Agustin Benegas asked if local golfers would be a part of the study and Cooper said, “Absolutely we will be including local golfers. I will be working with the golf course staff also.”
The City will be holding a State of the City Public Forum at Campbell’s Resort on Thursday, January 22 beginning at 6 p.m.
All Things Lake Chelan 