Thursday, March 28, 2024

City Council gives Planning Commission feedback on important issues

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CHELAN – On September 4, the City of Chelan held a joint City Council and Planning Commission workshop at City Hall.

Chelan Mayor Mike Cooney opened up the workshop by thanking the Planning Commission for all the work they have done. “We want to recognize the hard work the Planning Commission does behind the scenes,” said Cooney.

The evening’s agenda was a long one and the Planning Commission wanted some direction from the Council. “This is a chance for us to discuss a lot of  different topics,” Cooney added.

The following proposals have been examined by the Planning Commission and are very complex. During the meeting Sarah Schrock presented each agenda item to the Council and then Council gave the Planning Commission feedback.

The Shoreline Master Program for short term vacation rentals – currently the ordinance doesn’t speak about vacation rentals at all, now the Planning Commission is thinking about locals wanting to rent out their boats. Due to this the Commission drafted a code amendment to the Shoreline Master Program to address those concerns.

The changes include, allowing overnight rentals on boats only in shoreline jurisdictions designed as High Intensity or in Land Use Zoning designated as Tourist Accommodation in the Aquatic Environment. Overnight rentals on boats will be limited to two to 30 days. All Overnight rentals on boats are subject to a Conditional Use permit and will also require special conditions for parking, occupancy, access and length of stay.

To this the Council had different comments, specially on waste disposal and how it will all work with a boat.

At the end it was agreed that talks with Sunset Marina should take place, that way the Commission could get a more in-depth idea of what they do when it comes down to short boat vacation rentals.

Revisions to the Inadvertent Discovery Plan were also addressed. The plan has two different elements that cover plan and procedures for the unanticipated discovery of cultural resources and human remains.    

The Commission also presented a drafted ordinance to adopt an affordable housing program referred to as The City of Chelan Affordable Housing Program. This proposal will establish a committee, they will work with any developer and it will also establish a housing fund. It will also set the criteria for what will qualify as “affordable.”

Changes to Accessory Dwelling Units were also presented, Crypto-currency and private road standards were also talked about.

The Planning Commission meets every third Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.  

City items covered in the meeting:
Parks Director Karen Sargeant provided updates on the Lakeshore RV Park projects, bids for the projects opened, Parks will  look at bids and will bring their recommendations to the council on September 25.

A new ordinance before the end of the year will be drafted that will require out of town business to have a state license in order to operate in the City of Chelan.
 

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