Comments due on 52-home development near Methow
Comments on a proposed development of 52 homes near the town of Methow — plus a clubhouse, employee housing, and ponds and walking trails — are due on Tuesday (April 20).
Burma Shores, 2 miles south of the town of Methow, is seeking approval from Okanogan County to create 46 lots on 266 acres. In addition to the homes and community buildings, the project would create about 180 acres of open space.
Potable water will be provided by a group system through a water right, which is why the project isn’t subject to the county’s current moratorium on subdivisions. The proposal calls for three ponds/reservoirs at least 10 feet deep for water storage. The developers must obtain approval from the state Department of Ecology for a water-right change and meter water use.
Okanogan County initially reviewed the proposal in 2008 and determined that the project could have significant or adverse environmental impacts. Mitigations for those impacts will be conditions of approval.
The public can comment on the proposed subdivision by Tuesday (April 20). Comments should be sent in writing to Schumacher at cbeam@co.okanogan.wa.us. For more information, call (509) 422‑7113.
Highway 20 snow clearing underway
As announced earlier, work on clearing snow from the North Cascades Highway began last week, the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reported.
WSDOT said the eastside crew (the Methow Valley side) started its work on April 5.
“According to the crew supervisor, the work has gone well,” WSDOT reported in a press release. “This week they passed Silver Star gate [west of Mazama] and wrapped up the week with a full lane open all the way to Lone Fir around milepost 169. They have encountered about 3 feet of snow on the roadway but expect deeper snow as they head westward.”
The road closure remains at Early Winters (milepost 177), WSDOT noted.
“The cleared road surface is still covered with compact ice and slush, and no shoulders or turnarounds have been cut out yet,” WSDOT said. “It is not considered passable for vehicles. Those who plan to recreate beyond the closure points are advised to consider the risk of avalanche in the area.”
The snow clearing process usually takes about four to six weeks to complete.
