council – All Things Lake Chelan

Short Term Rental Code ordinance passed by city council

by Richard Uhlhorn

Agritourism code amendments:
After months of debate and discussion the Chelan City Council unanimously approved the Agriculture Based Short Term Rental Code ordinance.

Community Development Director John Ajax has been working with the Chelan Planning Commission for a number of months to pass a new agritourism code that will help property owners monitize their property.

The proposed code changes went through an arduous process by the Planning Commission who reviewed the proposed udates to the Agricultural Tourism Code at meetings on April 17, May 15, July 17, August 21, September 25, October 16 and November 20, 2024.

A public hearing was held on November 20 to receive public input on the code amendment. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the amendments including the retention of a five-acre minimum lot size. On February 25, 2025, the City Council held one more public hearing on the amendments.

The recommended amendments can be read in the following chapters of the Chelan Municipal Code

Chapter 17.46 – Special Use District Chapter

17.47 – Agricultural Tourism Chapter

17.77 – Short-Term Rentals Chapter

17.56 – Conditional Use Requirements (introducing new provisions for agriculturally based rentals)

The new amendments to the code will permit small scale, agricultural based short-term rentals within the SUD (Special Use District), providing the property meets the following criteria: a minimum lot size of 5-acres with at least 51 percent of the property used for agriculture.

GMA 2025 docket:
City Council unanimously approved the 2025 Growth Management Act Comprehensive Plan Docket along with several other amendments.

Each year the City updates its annual work plan under the GMA. This year the docket includes work on climate resiliency, housing affordability, zoning code refinements and infrastructure planning. In addition, there are several development regulation amendments that remain in the docket.

Most interesting is the Housing Action Plan which will focus on alternative housing types, density incentives, and accessory dwelling unit flexibility.

Interlocal agreement for legal services:
City Administrator Wade Farris reported that the Chelan/Douglas Regional Port Authority was requesting an additional $1,000 from the City to continue its legal efforts against the state to contain the illegal diversion fuel taxes for the purposes. “They have been diverting these funds illegally,” said Farris. The City authorized $1,000 last year towards the effort.

The Council approved this expenditure.

Indigent Criminal Defendant legal services:
City Attorney Quentin Batjer reported that Kottkamp, Yedinak & Esworthy, PLLC defense of indigents arrested in Chelan has exceeded the Primary Attorney’s quarterly caseload limit and needs to assign overflow to Hankins, Tibbits Law Firm who has agreed to accept the excess caseload at a cost of $600 per case.

Apparently the overflow is due to an increase of property theft at WalMart.

Ecology funding for sewer project:
Chelan Public Works completed a funding application in the fall of 2023 for a sewer main replacement project from Don Morse Park to Columbia Street from SR150 to Lift Station No. 1. The City’s application was approved and awarded in 2024.

The City staff is working with the Department of Ecology (DOE) on the scope of work, grant and loan administration, design and construction, construction management and change order allowances.

The $5,411,000 funding amount is on a 20 year repayment plan at 1.2% interest.

The Council approved the motion to finalize the agreement with DOE.

Administration reports:
Public Works Director Jake Youngren reported that Public Works opened six proposals for the downtown water and sewer pipe replacement project and has accepted Selland Construction’s bid of $2,468364.92. Selland Construction was the second lowest bidder n the project. Ascent Foundation and Moore bid $2,420,103.37, but had several anomalies on their bid which led to the City rejecting it.

Interestingly, the bids came in below the Engineers Estimate.

Landscape architecture for lift station 1 is something the Public Works Department has been working on. Lift Station 1 is located at the northeast corner of the Woodin Avenue Bridge at the entrance to Riverwalk Park.

The above ground structure will be removed and the lift station will go underground with landscaping to help disguise it. “We are collaborating with the PUD,” said Youngren. “We are amending the current landscape element to what their goals are for landscaping and our needs,” he added.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth asked if Youngren had any concerns about groundwater table. Youngren replied, “We are confident we will be able to construct subsurface without a problem.”

Speed limit reduction on Hwy 97A. Youngren stated that Public Works is looking at reducing the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph from city limits to SR 97A mile post 231and from mile post 231 to 232.88 to 35 mph. From there to mile post 233.66 to 30 miles per hour and from there to 25 mph t mile pst 234.49 before the speed limit resumes to higher speeds.

“It is kind of a confusing ordinance,” said Youngren. “I will come back to you. We’ve been working with all the property owners.”:

Wayfinding signs. Community Development Director John Ajax told the council that the planning department has been working on the wayfinding signage for 10 years. “The signs are waiting to be installed. We didn’t know that we were going to have a Lakeside Trail,” said Ajax. “We need to repurpose the signs with the Lakeside Trail.”

The signage will go from Lakeside all the way to the Lookout. Youngren stated that downlake winds could be problematic and they were looking at brackets to withstand high winds. Mayor McCardle asked what the next step was? Ajax said he has to get together with the city engineer.

Proposed 2025 budget amendment No. 1. Finance Director Jackie Tupling presented the Council with the first budget amendment of the 2025 fiscal year.

City Council will reconvene on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Poll results from Community forum indicate issues most important to Manson residents

by Richard Uhlhorn

Community Forum results:
Chris Willoughby, vice-chair of the Manson Community Council, reported to his colleagues at Tuesday’s council meeting, that the Manson Community Forum was extremely successful.

“I’ve been getting feedback and most people want to continue to do this,” said Willoughby. “It worked really well.”

The Community Forum held at the Grange in Manson, had 93 people in attendance to get information from each agency and organization operating in the community. They heard reports of on-going project activity from the council; Manson Chamber of Commerce; Manson Parks Department and Fire District No. 5.

**Chris Willoughby, vice chairman of the Council reported the results of the poll taken after the recent Community Forum that was attended by 93 residents and interested individuals.**

In addition to the meeting, a poll was available for the public to rank issues based on community importance. Willoughby’s written report to the Council stated the forum was a great way to get information out to a larger group who didn’t have the time to attend each groups meetings.

Following are the survey results from the Manson Community Forum ranked in order of importance:

Traffic flow into and out of Manson on Highway 150. (This is also a major transportation issue in Chelan.).
Affordable housing. (Affordable Housing is another major issue in the Valley. No affordable housing for local residents is forcing them to relocate).
Protecting Agriculture lands and ag based opportunities. (Small family farms are finding it increasingly tough to stay in business because of regulations, increasing costs and low or not profits off the ag products. This is forcing many struggling to farm to sell their land which then becomes developed sub-divisions.}.
Rising property taxes and assessments. (Many residents in the valley are complaining about rising property taxes.)
Creating ag business opportunities. (agritourism, adding value added products to the farms or other means to increase sustainability of the valley’s agricultural base.).In
Youth activities during non-school hours.

Several other issues lower on the scale of importance included Incorporation of Manson, Lake Chelan Water Quality, Downtown business diversity, Crime and Drug concerns and Transit expansion into more remote areas of the community.

It was suggested that the Council hold a Community Forum quarterly. A date for that meeting will be decided on in the near future.

Colville Tribe Project:
It was reported that the proposed Coville Casino/Resort project has grown to a one-quarter of a billion dollar facility with a conference center. “We should ask them to come and address us,” said Kari Sorenson. “The project keeps getting larger.”

Bob Goedde, Chelan City Council liaison with Manson, said that there was a conference meeting with the Colville’s last week and that Mayor Erin McCardle reported to the Council that the project was on hold indefinitely until the Tribe’s Tri Cities project was completed.

In other business:
Kari Sorenson brought up the right-of-way issue on Pedoi Street. “I still have an issue of the wall in the middle of the right-of-way,” she said. Mike Kirk suggested she ask the county engineer about it. Willoughby replied that neighbors down the street were asking why they were being affected but not the property owners who have the wall.

Right of Way infringement on Pedoi Street is being addressed by Chelan County. One major issue is the home with a concrete wall built over the right of way and residents are wondering what the County plans on doing about it.

“There are some things there that need to be addressed,” said Willoughby

**Kari Sorenson and Chris Willoughby were confronted by the home owner about parking in front of their home despite the fact that is on Community property and open to parking.**

NOTE: After the council meeting an altercation between the homeowner, Sorenson and Willoughby took place in front of his home. Since his property is on a public street, vehicles are allowed to park adjacent to the illegal wall. The issue is probably going to heat up in the future.

Candidate forum:
It was suggested that the council host a Candidate Forum in September with those candidates still in the November race for elected positions. Locations being considered are the Performing Arts Center or Riverwalk Park. “Let’s put it up to the candidates and if they can’t show, they can’t show,” said Sorenson. The date for the forum was set for Thursday, September 17 with a time and venue to be announced later.

Our Valley – Our Future:
John Olson brought up the on-going Lake Chelan Vision Project and asked everyone to take the community survey. Goedde said the Council needs to ask Mayor McCardle to include them. “It’s more of a ‘What works now and what worked when you were younger… more of a philosophical event,” said Goedde.

**Want your business to be seen by up to 60,000 potential clients a month. Consider advertising on All Things Lake Chelan.**

Northshore Pathway update:
Apparently, the Northshore Pathway project has been taken over by the Chelan/Douglas County Transportation Council. The next meeting of the transportation council will be in August. “At some point I’d like to see them open it to the public,” stated Willoughby.

Mike Kirk brought up the need for the Manson Community Council to live stream its meetings. Sorenson stated they had tried in the past but couldn’t get it to work. “It needs someone more technologically advanced than I am,” she said. “I’m out of it.”

Kirk also stated that the Council needs some sort of website where a database and email functions can be used. Willoughby added that a website would help to get community members on board. He suggested that they look at IONOS as a domain and website possibility.

Manson Fire preparation:
Willoughby said that strike teams have been going through the Manson neighborhoods and looking at structural integrity and risks. “They have been evaluating the area for fire”

**Singleton Park in Manson is now the home of firefighters working the Pioneer Fire.**

Evacuation protocols were also being explored because of the one road in and one road out. “It would not be viable with resources coming and residents trying to get out. Most fire management types feel that Manson residents would be safe at the high school or other downtown locations from any fire that might enter north Manson.

Manson Community Forum attracts 93

By Richard Uhlhorn – June 24

A number of projects were highlighted at the Manson Community Forum held at the Grange Hall on Tuesday, June 18. Ninety three people were in attendance to hear from the Manson Chamber of Commerce, Manson Parks Department, Manson Community Council and Chelan County Fire District No. 5.

**Ninety three Manson residents attended the Manson Community Forum on June 18.**

**Manson Community Council Vice Chairman Chris Willoughby moderated the Forum. Willoughby is also a District 5 Fire Commissioner and a candidate for the open County Commission seat.**

Chris Willoughby, moderator for the evening and vice chairman of the Manson Community Council told those in attendance, “I hope this meeting works for you.” He added that there would be another community meeting in the Fall.

As a candidate for Chelan County Commissioner, Chirs Willoughby graciously gave his three opponents an opportunity to talk.

**Brant Cappell, a former staff assistant for Representative Keith Goehner is also a candidate for Chelan County Commissioner.**

First up was Brandt Cappell. Cappell has been Representative Keith Goehner’s staff assistant told the audience that he wants to make sure that “we have good representation with the county.”

Retired developer Flint Hartwig stated that he wants to get the County’s essential services done. “I want to get stuff done… get stuff built… fix the potholes… roads, the essential services of Government. “I am very heartened to see you all showing up,” said Hartwig. “I mean that.”

Senator Brad Hawkins said he will bring a lot of experience to the table. “I want a balanced budget and reduced wildfire risk,” said Hawkins. He also stated that it was awesome that Chris Willoughby allowed them some time to speak.

**Flint Hartwig is a retired developer running to Chelan County Commission**.

**Senator Brad Hawkins, is also a candidate for Chelan County Commissioner.**

Chris Willoughby informed the audience that he grew up as a farm kid and is stlll an apple orchardist. “I’m community first,” said Willoughby. He added that it is important to confront the issues at hand like the failing agriculture business in the Valley.

**Chris Willoughby, a Manson Apple Grower and community advocate is also running for the Commission seat.**

Fire District No. 5:
Chief Arnold Baker stated that the Pioneer Fire currently burning up lake is a little bit concerning. He mentioned that the Incident Command has heavy equipment reinforcing Grade Creek and opening up old fire breaks from Coyote Ridge all the way down to Lake Chelan. “This fire is going to be here all summer,” said Baker. His concern is a wind event that spots the fire towards Manson.

“In 2002 we had the Deer Point Fire and in 2001 the Rex Creek Fire.” The Deer Point Fire threatened Manson and Rex Creek Fire where the Pioneer fire is currently burning, burnt 60,000 acres.

The 2001 Rex Creek Fire where the Pioneer Fire is currently burning, burnt 60,000 acres before winter set in. The Pioneer Fire is burning deadfall from that fire. Photo by Richard Uhlhorn from Junior Point.

“My job is to plan for the worst,” said Baker. “We are in the planning phase.” Baker went on to say later in the presentation that Manson has lost its green belt to housing developments.

2024 Levy:
Baker told the audience that the 2014 Levy is expiring at the end of the year. Property owners are paying $.89 per Thousand and that with the increase in Manson’s property values, the District will be asking for $.75/$1000.

Manson’s fire district is completely volunteer based with only three paid positions. “We are not going to stop recruiting,” said Baker. Six to seven volunteers are still in training to become certified. The District also has some younger volunteers who are interested in Fire as a Career Path.

The District is in the process of building an 8,000 sq. ft. Training Facility which will include a residency program. “We’ve already got districts wanting to be a part of the residency program.”

Foundation permit applications are in to the County and Baker hopes to begin construction next spring. The training center will train firefighters how to fight structural fires and wildland fires. Baker also remarked that Chelan and Manson are training together. “The good old days are back when we can work together.”

The District and Hospital/EMS provide Advanced Life Support and the fire department is certified to transport victims

The new Levy will be on the August ballot. The levy that is retiring was a 10-year levy, but Baker said the new levy will be permanent. “I can’t tell you how to vote,” said Baker, but a loss at the polls would cost the District approximately $400,000. “That is going to hurt.”

Manson Chamber of Commerce:
The Chamber is operating with nine board members and is looking for more volunteers to carry out their mission.

**The Manson Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Executive Director Timi Starkweather.**

Executive Director Timi Starkweather stated that she is excited about how the Chamber is going to grow. Projects the Chamber is working on includes

Painting the downtown light posts
Developing pocket parks

“We’ve partnered with Wapato Point for pickleball,” said Bill Swayne. “We really want to build that into a National event.” The last event had 160 to 200 players but the Chamber is hoping to build the event to 300 to 500.

More information is available at https//mansonchamber.com. The Chamber is open from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday and then from 8 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday.

Manson Parks:
Robin Pittman, director of Manson Parks began her presentation with weekly events that take place. The department has an AAU program for baseball, basketball, T-Ball and soccer.

Pittman detailed the department’s big upcoming projects which include the new bathroom at Willow Point, the Dog Park at the Old Swim Hole which is fully funded. This project will also include a non-motorized dock for kayaks and canoes and a board walk from Park to Park. “This is funded through the Public Power Benefit Fund,” said Pittman. The cost is $1.3 million dollars. This project has to be completed by 2025.

The department has brought back lifeguards at the Manson Bay Park. “We are the only swimming area that has lifeguards in the Lake Chelan Valley.

The Chelan Swim Foundation offers free swimming lessons because of generous donations from the public. “It’s brought to you by you guys,” stated Pittman.

Leffler Field was jointly purchased by Manson Parks and the Manson School District. “We are looking at buying the School District out,” said Pittman. “That will free us up for more grants,” She added. The cost for the buyout is $575,000.

The field has a lead/arsenic which will be capped. Two development plans were offered at the meeting for attendees to participate by putting colored dots on what they liked. LINK Transit has proposed building a transit center at the property.

Old Mill Park
“We are working with the PUD on several projects at Old Mill Park,” Pittman said. One of those projects is the development of a swimming area. Pittman noted that they can’t keep people out.

Wapato Lake Campground:
The department also takes care of the campground at Wapato Lake.

Pittman thanked everyone for passing the Park’s levy. “It’s the barebones things that are important,” she said.