The Okanogan County commissioners are seeking volunteers for advisory committees for Methow Valley subareas B and C, which cover Winthrop and the lower valley.
The advisory groups will help identify a vision for land use. The groups can address things like how close houses can be to one another; set policies for employee housing and commercial development; or develop goals for roads and trails, recreational opportunities, desirable vegetation, and even the preservation of sounds of nature — in essence, the important details that give the valley its character.
The county’s comprehensive plan directs the commissioners to appoint a diverse group of property owners for the advisory committees. The committees will help draft subarea plans, which would be adopted as amendments to the comp plan. The plan allows individual areas to create their own specialized plans to reflect neighborhood priorities. The plans wouldn’t apply to the county as a whole.
Subarea B takes in Winthrop and the Chewuch and goes a little south of Twisp, and subarea C goes from south of Twisp to just north of Pateros, including Carlton and Methow. Subarea A, which goes from Mazama to Winthrop, already has an advisory committee appointed by the commissioners.
If interested, request an application by sending your résumé and letter of interest to Okanogan County Planning Director Pete Palmer at spalmer@co.okanogan.wa.us. The deadline for applying is Sept. 15.
