Owners of property on the Chewuch River have received a variance to be able to keep a cabin within the 100-year-floodplain.
Okanogan County hearing examiner Dan Beardslee approved the request by James and Sherry Leuenberger for a variance that allows them to keep a cabin they built nine years ago under an existing RV cover.
Beardslee granted the variance on July 3, but placed certain conditions on the use of the 20-by-20 foot structure. The structure can be used only for camping, and for no more than 30 days per year. In addition, it cannot be inhabited at all during flood events on the Chewuch River. The cabin cannot be enlarged or modified in any way for permanent residential habitation.
The Leuenbergers must sign an agreement with the county indemnifying the county for any loss or injury incurred as a result of the variance.
Although the enclosed structure has been there for nine years, it violates a prohibition against any structure for human habitation in the 100-year-floodplain in the Methow Review District, according to county planner Anna Randall.
Buildings such as garages and sheds are permissible because they are not for habitation. Open structures are allowed because they allow inundation of floodwaters, said Randall.
The Leuenbergers, who live in western Washington, spend about 30 days a year in Winthrop, according to their application.
