Davis Lake residents are urging the Okanogan County Planning Department to extend the comment deadline on the proposed conversion of an existing house on Davis Lake Road to an inn with six guest rooms, and to reduce the number of campsites at a neighboring parcel from 30 to three. Without an extension, comments are due Thursday (Sept. 8).
Although the proposal would significantly reduce the number of campsites, area residents say it was rarely, if ever, used.
Attorney Natalie Kuehler submitted the application for the Mountain View Inn to Okanogan County for a conditional-use permit on behalf of property owners Stephen and Rene Williams.
The house and campground are served by a group public water system, which would continue to be used, according to the application.
The inn would have a maximum of 10 guests per day. There could be additional traffic by inn guests in the winter, estimated at five to 10 trips per day.
Some area residents questioned why the presence of a year-round inn would increase traffic only in the winter. Several wanted more details on water use and potential impacts on other water users and the lake.
The campground is on the lake, and the house is across Davis Lake Road.
The Okanogan County planning director determined that the conversion wouldn’t have a significant impact on the environment.
The public can comment on the project and its environmental impacts in writing by 5 p.m. on Sept. 8. There will be a public hearing on the conditional-use permit, but the date hasn’t been set.
For more information or to comment, contact planner Pam Wyllson at (509) 422-7122 or pwyllson@co.okanogan.wa.us.
