City approves Community Centers within Single family zone

CHELAN - In the previous Chelan City Council regular meeting on July 23, the council approved a zoning code text amendment to allow Community Center within single family zoning under a conditional use permit after conducting a public hearing in which both, for and against, testimonies were heard.

The application for the zoning change was submitted in October of last year by the Seven Acres Foundation - whose goal is to build a Community Center on Anderson Road. Ben Williams chairperson of the Seven Acres Foundation Board mentioned that the organization’s soul purpose is to create opportunities in the community. “Right now we have 9 acres, we got a donor who has pledged to build a pool, I got state legislature money. We hope to do a community center with about 2,700 square feet for the gym,” explained Williams.

The Foundation’s attorney said that the Foundation has had a number of talks with City staff and has attended Planning Commission meetings. There the Foundation has answered all the question from the Commission and it is their recommendation to move forward with the text amendment.

Evie Hirschberger spoke against community centers in single family neighborhoods. “Single family residences should not be impacted by allowing community centers to build 40 feet high. Views are not the only thing that is being lost, but also privacy on one’s own property. With all the changes to the city’s municipal codes and zoning lately it appears that Single Family Residential neighborhoods are becoming extinct in Chelan,” Hirschberger said.

After discussion, the council unanimously approved the text amendment, Councilmember Ty Witt recused himself since he sits on the Seven Acres Board.

Some of the changes that fall under the conditional use permit include:
• Minimum Lot Area or parcel Size: 2.5 acre
• Setbacks:
• Front yard 25 feet
• Side yard 15 feet
• Rear yard 25 feet
• A minimum open space:25%
• Maximum height: 40 feet, excepting the following allowances
• Additional height up to 45’ when setbacks are double the required setbacks for front, side and rear.

Although, Williams knows that the property on Anderson Rd. is not ideal, the permitting is needed to move forward with the project. Williams explained that the Foundation has looked into other properties closer to town and will also benefit from the text amendment.