Tag: urban-planning

Chelan city council passes new parks ordinance

by Richard Uhlhorn

World Spay Day
Mayor Erin McCardle read a proclamation for World Spay Day which was initiated in 1995 and has been adopted by 74 countries.

The Chelan Valley Feral Cat Project was formed by concerned citizens with the help of veterinarian Dr. Barb Fehr and other valley vets. Since its inception in 2023, the project trapped, neuter and released 113 cats and rehomed 35 kittens. In 2024 the group trapped, neutered and released another 299 cats and rehomed 65 kittens.

A feral neighborhood cat.

“Great work”, said McCardle. “Those are very impressive numbers.” She proclaimed February 25 as World Spay Day 2025.

Revised Park Regulations:
Assistant Park Director Audrey Cooper told city council that changes to the city’s parks regulations came from a highly collaborative effort. “These insure that our parks are safe,” she said.

Audrey Cooper, Chelan’s new Assistant Parks Director. She will be taking over a variety of Park Projects.

Regulation changes came from issues brought by residents at Lakeside Park. Cooper stated that there are three modifications and two added regulations.

Lakeside Park’s popularity during the summer months has led to a problem of day camping and overcrowding. Reports from July, 2024 had over 5,000 people crowding into the park.

During council discussion, Councilman Bob Goedde said, “Enforcement will be the big issue.” The City is hiring an outside firm to help with enforcement issues at both Lakeside and Don Morse on weekends.

Councilman Terry Sanders remarked that getting the information on the changes out to the public was imperative.

Jacci De Paoli, a Lakeside resident thanked the city for its work and said, “I appreciate the progress.” She went on to say that the Lakeside community was at a breaking point last summer. “We wouldn’t be here without Erin McCardle’s efforts. Collaboration is not always easy.”

De Paoli continued, saying she is encouraged with the updates to the policies, but that they don’t T

Barry De Paoli also thanked the city for its efforts in addressing the issues at Lakeside. “We’ve come a long way since September,” he said. “Day camping is challenging.” He stated that the residents would like to see fencing and gates to limit entry points to the park along with the enforcement.

The council unanimously passed the new ordinance.

 Ag based STR code amendment:
Community Development Director John Ajax gave an overview of the Planning Commission’s recommendations for the proposed Agriculture Based Short Term Rental Code Amendment. “As you know, we have been wrestling around with this code amendment.”

Community Development Director John Ajax

One recommendation for a 10 acre lot would be one home and one ADU located in the NW/SW Gateway or Lord Acres with 5.1 acres being in active agriculture. There are other scenarios being considered and Ajax stated that the code changes are undergoing agency review. “We are focusing on urban and UGA densities. The State mandates that we should be increasing density.”

Mayor McCardle stated that there has been a lot of public input. “Any changes being proposed may or may not have been in front of the community.” Ajax added that a public hearing and notification of neighbors will be done before the approval of changes.

He presented several different scenarios and said, “We want to provide a mechanism for home owners to have an incentive to make money.

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan:
“We have an actual plan on what measures we could take,” said Ajax. The Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan is a strategic document developed and updated every five years by Chelan County and jurisdictions within the county.

Mitigation work on the south end of last summer’s Pioneer Fire in anticipation of stopping the fire if it escaped and headed for Manson.

The plan is intended to reduce the impact of natural disasters before they occur. It identifies the city’s most significant hazards—such as wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and severe weather—and outlines specific actions to reduce risks to people, property, and infrastructure.

The plan is part of a county-wide effort and follows federal and state guidelines, making the city eligible for funding under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program. By assessing risks in advance, the city can better prepare emergency services, ensuring faster and more effective responses to disasters.

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Mitigation actions like floodplain management, wildland-urban interface zones, and seismic retrofitting help the city adapt to climate change and other evolving risks over time. Without an approved plan, Chelan would not qualify for FEMA disaster mitigation grants, limiting its ability to prepare for and recover from future hazards.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth stated that it is an interesting document. Ajax said the city is working with the Climate Resiliency Group. “We are looking at specific climate related issues.”

Lift Station No. 4 Electrical Improvements:
City Engineer Travis Dunham reported that Lift Station No. 4 and its related electrical components including two poles will be shifted to the south of Hwy. 97A as a part of the Lakeside Trail project. “We are working with the PUD and DOT.” The project will be out for bid by mid March.

Washington State Department of Ecology Wastewater Grant Loan:
This is a 2023 Public Works wastewater sewer project being funded with a 20 year DOE loan at 1.2% interest and no penalty for an early payoff. Dunham said 50% was a grant and the other 50% was loan. “We get reimbursed when we work on the project.”

Administrative Reports:
Chad Coltman reported that the city has 49 positions to fill for the Parks Summer season. “We are getting the word out for hiring staff,” he said. “We have 110 applicants for the 49 positions!”

Denham added that Public Works has more capital projects in the works.

Audrey Cooper reported that the Lakeside use agreement is being reviewed.

Finance Director Jackie Tupling reported that the 2023 State financial audit was complete and good.

She also mentioned the $500,000 set aside for Chelan Butte needs to be addressed since the City is coming up on its stated Sunset Clause. “We also need to do some long term planning for the Parks. Some strategy session moving forward.”

Mayor Council comments:
Most of the council were happy with the Lakeside Park regulations issue and the hard work by both the city and Friends of Lakeside. Hollingsworth stated that the city has to be creative with getting the changes to park regulations out to the public. “We have duo languages to deal with. Enforcement is going to be a real issue.”

Mayor McCardle stated that the city was lucky to have the staff and council working so efficiently. She also mentioned changing the time for City Workshops from its current 4 p.m. slot to 5, 5:15 or even 6 p.m.

McCardle mentioned the benefits of having public records digitally available. Jackie Tupling added that it made a huge time difference during the audit in finding records the auditors needed.

McCardle reported that she and Chad Coltman were working on a strategic planning retreat.

State of Chelan meeting draws 150+

by Richard Uhlhorn

The State of Chelan function Thursday night, January 30, at the Community Center drew well over 150 people who are interested in their community and the direction it is headed in 2025.

The Community Center meeting room was full of Valley residents interested in the
State of the City.

After Chelan Communications Director Chad Coltman got it all started by thanking the crowd for showing up and introducing the partners and staff for showing up.

 Mayor Erin McCardle took the stage and “We want to bring more citizens into what we are doing.” She went through the number of residents (4,580) and visitors (650,000) that Chelan serves during the year. “The 4,580 population does not include second home owners,” stated McCardle. “We are much more than a small community.”

Mayor Erin McCardle presented the State of Chelan to approximately 150 attendees.

McCardle told the attendees that the city employs 63 staff and another 47 seasonal staff during the summer months. The city provides numerous services for the community including

  • Water and sewer – sanitation services – recycling – Manson and Lake Chelan Sewer Districts wastewater – Utility billing -Parks Department (not taxed) -RV Park – Golf Course – Marina – Putting Green – Code Enforcement -Zoning and Planning – Public Records – and the Lake Chelan Airport.

“Not many communities have so many services,” said McCardle. “We are running a complex, but balanced budget. This year’s budget is estimate at $22.5 million with an operating budget of $23.1 million.

McCardle invited Steve Maher, Our Valley – Our Future coordinator to speak about that program that the City has helped budget for the past two years. This program coordinates with communities in the region to develop a shared long-range vision and a strategic action plan to achieve it.

Our Valley – Our Future coordinator Steve Maher reported on the progress of the program.

This program collaborates with communities to develop a shared, long range vision and a strategic action plan to achieve it.

Maher remarked that it has been 20 to 25 years since Chelan conducted this kind of outreach. “We enlisted 20 organizations to gather information. “They were a part of our success,” said Maher.

He held listening sessions with local non-profits, City Hall staff, Educators and families, traditionalists, seniors and young adults. “These sessions were very interesting,” he stated.

Maher also conducted a community survey with the key question being, What do you value most about your Valley? Over 800 people responded to the survey and Maher stated that “people here care. We will see where we go from here,” he said.

McCardle took over the presentation and talked about the community’s ‘core values.’ “These are our starting points of planning for our future,” said McCardle. These core values include not just Chelan, but the entire valley including Chelan Falls.

Community Values:

  • Treasure Lake Chelan as the heart of our community;
  • Embrace a small town way of life
  • Cherish the community’s deep connection to the Valley’s natural beauty
  • Take pride in the community’s agricultural heritage
  • Recognize locally owned businesses as the pride of our economy
  • Keep a sense of safety and support.

“We feel really strong about our plan moving forward,” said McCardle who added that the community’s guiding principles will help move the city forward.

McCardle stated that she wants a vibrant, well connected city where the citizens feel connected.

2024 highlights:

The city has been hard at work on its strategic plan. McCardle stated that the city has hired a number of new employees and that John Ajax has accepted the full-time position as the city’s Community Development Director. The City hired an Airport Manager and a Parks Assistant Director.

The city worked with Representative Kim Schier to obtain a $9 million dollar grant for the East Chelan Water Project’s one-million gallon reservoir. This grant was signed by President Biden after clearing both the house and senate in a bi-partisan manner.

“This project is really important for the city,” stated McCardle. The city was also able to pass its Transportation Benefit District (TBD) which McCardle told the attendees would secure the city’s ability to handle its transportation issues for the next 10 years.

The East Chelan Booster Pump Station will be up-graded which will help deliver water to the hospital and upcoming housing projects.

The Boys and Girls Club is already operating and also beginning their tenant improvements at the Community Center. The City gave the Boys and Girls Club $230,000 to help secure the seven thousand square foot space they will occupy. One of the Club’s plans is to offer before and after school care.

The Parks Department is moving forward to developing Pocket Parks for more lake access. The City has received a $3.5 million dollar grant to build the Lakeside Trail from downtown to Lakeside Park beginning this spring. The Parks Department will also be improving Lakeside Park this summer with a new bathroom facility, beach improvements and parking improvements.

With a PUD grant, the Chelan Parks Department is working on developing and improving the ball fields at Chelan Gorge Park.

In conjunction with Chelan Valley Hope a cold weather warming facility will be opened. The city funded local non-profit organizations to a tune of $112,000.

The Public Works Department concluded an ADA transition plan walking every sidewalk in the community. “This was a huge undertaking,” stated McCardle. The city is also working at getting allof its public records on-line. City Clerk Peri Gallucci obtained a $50,000 grant to make this a reality.

2025-2026 Initiatives:

The City through its outreach efforts has heard a number of concerns from the community including: Affordable Housing, the Cost of Living in the valley in general which is a concern that is driving people to move, wildfire concern, traffic congestion which is a big one and declining trust in local leadership.

The initiatives include:

  • Managing Growth
  • Diversifying Housing Options
  • Modernizing Resources
  • Enhancing Youth and Family Well-Being
  • Establishing a long-range Economic Strategy
  • Increasing Community Engagement
  • Strengthen Strategic Partnerships

Chelan is helping develop a Regional Transportation Plan with the Chelan/Douglas County Transportation Council, Chelan County, the Port of Chelan County and others to address the growing transportation issues in Chelan and Douglas Counties.