The Winthrop Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday (April 10) to consider a proposed amendment to the town’s Westernization ordinance. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Henhouse room at the Winthrop Barn.
The ordinance amendment proposal was forwarded to the Planning Commission from the Town Council for a hearing and recommendation.
The proposal is to amend the ordinance to allow solar panel arrays on building roofs that are visible from anywhere but Highway 20 within the W-3 business district.
The W-3 district generally extends along both sides of Highway 20 south of the Methow River bridge. Currently, the Westernization ordinance would allow solar arrays if they were not visible from Highway 20, but prohibits solar installations if they could be viewed from a public right-of-way such the Susie Stephens Trail or adjacent town streets.
The town’s Westernization Design Review Board had earlier review the request and unanimously recommended that the council reject the ordinance amendment proposal.
The proposal has generated passionate discussion by supporters and detractors at recent council meetings.
The ordinance was substantially updated with council approval in May 2017.
