Chelan Council hears community members on substation

CHELAN – City Council members gathered Tuesday, Oct. 10 for a regularly scheduled meeting. Commencing the meeting was a citizen comment portion in which community member Robin Vogel took the opportunity to voice her opinion on the purposed Chelan County PUD substation location on the Northshore. “The search for a new substation site for the Northshore has come full circle,” explained Vogel, “straight back to our front door. Almost literally. The proposed Henderson Site will be visible to us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year … the transmission poles, lines, and distribution lines that would be going to and coming out will be taller, fatter, and more numerous that what we’ve had in front of us for the past 27 years that we’ve had the property … these are front door lake views.” She then presented three images of the view and what the proposed substation would do to their current view of the lake. Another member of the community, Carl Glossinger, took the podium and voiced his support for the placement of the new substation at the Hellyer site, “provided that the lines are underground,” said Glossinger, “so that we’re not further draping lines barring the beautiful view along Boyd Road.” Kathy Branch, a citizen of Chelan, followed Glossinger’s speech, providing her input on the placement of a substation at the Henderson site and the affect that it’s placement would have on the value of their property. The lines from the new substation would run directly through the entrance of the Branch property, driving down the property value. A community update from Chelan County PUD in regard to substation sites will be held Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 6-8 p.m. and the Chelan Fire Station, located at 232 E. Wapato Avenue.
Comp Plan approved for  adoption
After a brief recap of the 2017 Comprehensive Plan amendments, the proposal was approved for adoption. Friday, Oct. 13 marked one year to the date from the comp plan kickoff meeting, and 30 plus meetings later, the proposal is completed and ready for finalization. Ordinances are set to be prepared at the next regularly scheduled meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.