The Town of Winthrop continues to move ahead in the process toward the annexation of an 18.22-acre parcel that Methow Trails intends to purchase and eventually make its headquarters.
At their meeting last week, Town Council members agreed to proceed with the annexation of what’s known as the Gray property and draw up an agreement and proposed ordinance, for consideration at the council’s Sept. 4 meeting.
The council action came after a public hearing that drew no comments. No written comments on the proposal were submitted to Town Hall.
Currently, the land on Horizon Flats Road is entirely surrounded by the town, a “donut hole” that, under existing county zoning, could be divided into 5-acre lots. The Winthrop Planning Commission recently reviewed the annexation request and unanimously recommended that it be accepted.
The roughly rectangular property extends east from Horizon Flats Road nearly to Highway 20 across from Pardners Mini Market and abuts an irrigation ditch. The site, a former homestead also known as the White property, currently has a one-bedroom, 1,090-square foot house built in the 1960s, several outbuildings and a log cabin.
In a memo to the council, Town Planner Rocklynn Culp said that Town Attorney Scott DeTro is drafting an annexation ordinance. Primary issues, Culp said, are creating a suitable mixed-use designation for the property that may include an interim zoning designation; a Methow Trails request to connect a trail from the property to the Susie Stephens Trail; possible relocation of the parcel’s driveway to that it serves both the Methow Trails site and the adjacent Okanogan County Fire District 6 property where a new fire hall is proposed; and consideration of future development possibilities.
In other business, the council learned that a project including water system upgrades and street improvements in the Lince Avenue and Perry Street area was scheduled to begin this week. The contract for the project was awarded to Lloyd Logging.
The council also approved a detailed development agreement for a six-lot preliminary long plat for .85 acres off of Norfolk Road, submitted by Michael Strauss and Heidi Breitbeil. Lot sizes would vary from 5,400 to 10,600 square feet. Access will be off a private road connected to Norfolk Road. The Planning Commission earlier approved the proposal after a public hearing.
