Lake Wenatchee Info

Rezone of 13 Acres on Lake Wenatchee Highway

2 Responses to “Rezone of 13 Acres on Lake Wenatchee Highway”

1. 1
   John Chelminiak Says:
   

   I just spoke with the planner for this item at Chelan County, Lilith Yanagamachi. The County Commissioners approved a comprehensive plan amendment in late Feb/early March of this year that rezones the property from RR 2.5 to RRR. What’s before the Hearing Examiner at this point is the map change to make the zoning map consistent with that decision.

   This is a substantial upzone to the property. At RR 2.5 the maximum number of homes would have been 5 - 6 homes. The potential under RRR is for almost 50 homes, although the site constraints likely would limit it to something less than that. Site constraints include flood plain, nearby wetland, possible slope issues. The minimum lot size in RR 2.5 is one unit per two and a half acres. The minimum lot size is RRR is 12,000 sq ft or about 3 1/2 units PER acre…so that’s quite an upzone. Another limitation on what will eventually be allowed will be septic and whatever is proposed will have to meet Chelan Douglas County Health District standards for that.

   It also allows, under a conditional use permit, for some recreational commercial ventures as long as the building is under 5,000 sq ft. Another permitted use is an RV Park for up to 50 units.

   Further development will be subject to subdividing or rural cluster development so that will be the next time to comment on effects.

   Unfortunately, Chelan County does not seem to have a very workable public notification system for land use changes. Here in the city we require that very large sign boards be posted on site for an action like the comprehensive plan change. I’d say they are 4 feet by 8 feet or so. Chelan County has a much smaller sign and the information is on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper. Mail notification is sent to surrounding property owners within 300 feet which again is very few people in a rural area. I’m torn between the aesthetics of large land use signs in a rural area and the idea that something of this proportion could have gone through and totally escaped notice. And how do you see such signs when they are covered by a 20 foot snow bank?

   I’ll likely send comment in by e-mail concerning the size of this rezone but I think that battle is already lost.

   May 6th, 2008 at 10:12 am
2. 2
   Bill Spencer Says:
   

   I encourage anyone who can attend the 1pm meeting in Wenatchee today to participate and present your concerns about this proposed change. Based on my conversation with Wendy Endaya at the Dept. for Community Planning, we can still stop this re-zoning from happening. Below is an email a friend sent to another planner that sums up our concerns.

   If you cannot attend the hearing, by noon today you can fax (apparently email is not accepted by the Hearings Examiner) a letter with your address at the Lake and any other contact information to:
   Mr. Andy Kottcamp
   Chelan County Hearings Examiner
   c/o Wendy Endaya
   Chelan County Department of Community Development
   509-667-6475

   Best regards,

   Bill

   —-

   To: Lilith.Yanagimachi@co.chelan.wa.us
   Subject: CPA 2007-014, parcel #27-16-14-220-650

   Dear Ms. Yanagimachi,

   We are writing you regarding the proposed change in zoning of parcel 27-16-14-220-650 at the northwest end of Lake Wenatchee (CPA 2007-014). We are neighbors to the parcel under consideration, and strongly object to any re-zoning which would permit higher density development on this property.

   One of our primary concerns is that this re-zoning is inconsistent with the efforts of Washington State to protect this pristine area from development. A high density development in this area would not only require significant clear-cutting, but would also unnecessarily burden the beautiful and sensitive wildlife areas and waterways in the immediate vicinity.

   Another concern is the danger that any deforestation would present to homes in and around the property in question. This area has been the site of significant mud slides in the past, and any clear cutting in this area will put homes and homeowners at risk.

   We are a little confused about the hearing that is taking place in Wenatchee on this issue tomorrow afternoon. Is this hearing to get testimony/input regarding the re-zoning itself, or on changes to the zoning maps to reflect a decision that has already been taken by the Chelan County Commissioners? Notes from the February 12, 2008 Commissioners meeting suggest that the re-zoning has already happened. If this is the case, we would like to register our strong objection to the way the local property owners were notified of this proposed change. We knew nothing about any earlier meetings on this topic, and would be extremely disappointed if this decision were made without a reasonable effort from Chelan County to notify property owners in the immediate vicinity.

   We cannot send a representative to the hearing this afternoon in Wenatchee on this topic, but wanted to make sure our concerns were registered with you and the Chelan County Planning staff. Please add us as parties of record on this CPA. We would appreciate staying as informed as possible on any developments.

   Thank you.

   Rich Bray
   Kathy Bray
   Hugh Chang
   Nicole Chang
   Andy Hill
   Molly Hill
   Shane Kim
   Dana Kim
   Bill Spencer
   Alee Spencer

   May 7th, 2008 at 9:44 am

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