Handled multiple tasks in 12-year tenure Perry Huston, who has handled everything from the county’s comprehensive plan to water availability to decisions on subdivisions for a dozen years as Okanogan County’s planning director, has resigned as of July 17. He submitted his letter of resignation to the county commissioners three days earlier. “He cited personal […]
Huston
Commissioners to review new water, wells rules
With a new state law regarding the use of wells for new houses, the Okanogan County commissioners decided to eliminate the requirement for a water-availability review by the county. People planning a new residence will have to follow watershed plans and corresponding instream-flow rules. The commissioners formally eliminated the water-availability review on Monday (Feb. 26), […]
County considers water-resources zoning change
Okanogan County is considering authorizing the county commissioners to create special areas where certain land uses that would rely on new wells for drinking water would be curtailed, so the county can study overall water availability. The change to the county’s zoning code is being proposed to address the 2016 state Supreme Court “Hirst” decision […]
County imposing stricter rules for nightly rentals
People who want to rent their homes to tourists are facing stricter county regulations and, at the same time, more competition from a glut of rentals — both legal and illegal — through online sites websites like Airbnb.
Nightly rentals have always had to obtain water and safety permits…
Court voids county ATV ordinance, closing roads to the vehicles
Environmental review called ‘superficial’ By Marcy Stamper Okanogan County’s ordinance opening almost 600 miles of roads to wheeled all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) has been invalidated because the county failed to analyze the environmental impacts of allowing ATVs to use these roads, the state Court of Appeals in Spokane ruled last week. In a ruling that the […]
County seeks more time to work on zoning; seeks public comment
At 178 pages, the county’s zoning code is not an easy read, but it is a vital piece of planning for the county’s future – in essence, the literal plans for growth on the ground. The zoning code puts the philosophical underpinning of the county’s new comprehensive plan into effect in particular neighborhoods and on specific plots of land.
In December, while they were …
County officials and property owners try to sort out roadside no-spray requirements
People who choose to control weeds and vegetation on county roads that border their property got more-detailed agreements and some clarification at a meeting with Okanogan County officials last week, but many people said they still had questions about how to comply with their no-spray agreements. They also were frustrated that …
Proposed road closure pits local residents against private company
Chiliwist neighbors say road is an escape route and access to public lands By Marcy Stamper A request to the county to relinquish a road that connects the Chiliwist area with the Loup Loup summit has attracted concern from more than 100 people, who say that closing the road to the public would cut off […]
Comment invited again on county comp plan
By Marcy Stamper
Interested citizens will have at least one more opportunity on Monday (Feb. 2) to give county commissioners their ideas about whether the county’s comp plan outlines the future they want for Okanogan County. The Okanogan County …
County ponders changes to land-use hearings, appeals
By Marcy Stamper
The Okanogan County commissioners are considering revisions to the county code that would affect who reviews applications for land-use matters such as subdivisions, planned developments and conditional-use permits, as well as countywide policies like …
