by Richard Uhlhorn
The City of Chelan and Chelan County held a joint meeting at the Lake Chelan Community Center to review their comprehensive plan udates required by the Growth Management Act. Every 20 years the plan is updated to establish goals and policies that guide future land use decisions and development.
Chelan County Commissioner Brad Hawkins opened the meeting and said, “This is a good time to get a review of the plan.” He mentioned that updating the plan over a 20 year period is important. “You’ll have the opportunity to offer public comment throughout the process.”
He then turned the meeting over to Chelan’s Community Development Director John Ajax who remarked that updating the 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA) is important considering all the changes over the years. “We are just checking it and updating our plan,” said Ajax.
Chelan’s update covers the lower basin and has included interviews with business leaders and residents and includes a major transportation study, a climate resiliency element and how much growth the city expects over the next 20 years.
Ajax stated that research has indicated the growth of permanent residents over the 20 years period will be 410. He also mentioned the growing segment of second homes, all of which requires infrastructure to support it.
In addition Short Term Rentals (STRS) will continue to be a strong economic force in the City. “still have to build infrastructure for them,” said Ajax.
He added that the city has room for 3400 more units. “We are well placed. That number is how many dwelling units we can have built-out.” Ajax said that the city has to plan for a much bigger population for water and sewer… including Manson’s future development.
Ajax told the attendees that the city was updating a lot of its individual chapters including the city’s overview and vision, Sub-Area Plans, Housing, Economic Development, Utilities, Capital Facilities, Parks and Recreation, Transportation and Climate Resiliency.
The city is looking at proposed subareas for future planning including its waterfront corridor, parks to downtown corridor, downtown to the Apple Blossom Center, and Apple Blossom Center east. “These things take a couple of years to do,” said Ajax.
A question concerning the potential Butte development was asked and Ajax replied that the city has excluded the Butte entirely. “There is not likely to be permanent housing on the Butte,” said Ajax. “STRs yes,” he added.
Ben Laughlin, a candidate for Mark Eriks city council seat asked why the city isn’t planning for Butte development. Ajax replied that the city is planning for it, but that the Trust for Public Lands has put their study on hold. While the city has put $500,000 towards the purchase of the Butte, no one has come forward to actually make a purchase proposal. “For the lack of a better term, the Butte has been put on pause.”
Ajax ended his presentation saying that the city is faced with new state laws to deal with.
Chelan County:
Daniel Hardrick with the Transp Group detailed how the group was balancing between the heave summer months and the rest of the year. He also stated that they were looking at all modes of transportation in the County and City as a part of the transportation element.
He also stated that the group was looking at an ADA Transportation Plan that is required by the State. “We are working on a Safety Action Plan for the City as well.”
Mike Kaputa, director of the County’s Natural Resources Department, stated that the County is getting numerous comments and concerns from residents in Stehekin. Before the Pioneer Fire, the county was working on a plan for future development. The fire stopped the planning and was restarted after the fire, but the flooding that has closed the Company Creek Road remains an ongoing issue with the community.
The county’s work, while different from Chelan, has been following the housing crisis.
The County is working on updating its Land Use Element; its Rural Element; Resource Element; Housing Element, Capital Facilities Element; Utilities Element; Economic Development Element; Parks and Recreation Element; Shoreline Element and Transportation Element.
Josh Cavalo told the attendees that the county is working on a new housing plan and is starting to work with the County Planning Commission and commissioners. “There is a 15 day review and comment period,” he said. There will also be time for public comment in September with final adopting for December.
Overall, both the City and County are working hard to update their respective Comprehensive Plans for adoption in December.
All Things Lake Chelan 