Public hearing draws engaged crowd Speakers at a packed hearing on the county’s emergency moratorium on land subdivisions in the Methow want to preserve the valley’s open space and agriculture. But their opinions about how to safeguard that rural character were diametrically opposed. The three Okanogan County commissioners, interim planning director, clerk of the board, […]
Okanogan County Commissioners
County weighs issues related to Methow gravel pit
CUP decision due to be released shortly Property owners on a ridge across from a proposed county gravel pit near Methow want Okanogan County to perform a complete analysis of the environmental impacts of the pit and to impose conditions to mitigate noise, dust and discharge into the ground and water. “We’re not opposed to […]
County supports public access to French Creek Rd.
Takes definitive position in the ongoing legal dispute After more than two years of sitting on the sidelines — simply willing to abide by whatever the court decides in an ongoing legal dispute — Okanogan County is defending the public status of French Creek Road. The reversal came in a 2-to-1 vote last Tuesday (Oct. 22) when Okanogan County […]
County studies gravel pit feasibility
Site near Methow would supply road projects The county has begun studying the feasibility of a gravel pit above the town of Methow. The Okanogan County commissioners signed a purchase-and-sale agreement for the land on July 30, giving them 180 days to determine feasibility and take public comment, part of obtaining a conditional-use permit (CUP) […]
Extension on gravel-pit purchase contract
The Okanogan County commissioners have negotiated an extension until Aug. 5 on an agreement for the potential purchase of 540 acres above the town of Methow for a gravel pit. The agreement sets the price at $1 million. At a public hearing last week, the commissioners said they wanted more time to research costs of […]
Zoning change in lower valley stays put
A zoning change that increases the minimum lot size in the lower Methow Valley five-fold – from 1 to 5 acres – will remain in place until the Okanogan County commissioners adopt a new zoning code. The change was enacted on an interim basis in June because the commissioners were concerned the small lots would […]
County will review gravel pit concerns
Residents worry about dust, noise The Okanogan County commissioners want more time to research costs and address community concerns before deciding whether to proceed with an agreement to spend $1 million on 540 acres above the town of Methow for a gravel pit. Approving the agreement doesn’t commit the county to buying the property. The […]
Proposed gravel pit draws mixed reactions
New county site near Methow would save money, officials say Okanogan County staff got an earful from people in the town of Methow who say that a gravel pit above town would expose their community to noise and harmful dust. But others at last week’s meeting said the county’s plans for a gravel pit are […]
County’s proposed gravel pit site would include wildlife habitat
Okanogan County has a draft agreement to purchase 540 acres just north of the town of Methow, with plans to use 149 acres for a gravel pit. The county has been in discussions with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which is interested in buying the remaining 391 acres for wildlife habitat with […]
County contemplates buying lower valley site for gravel pit, wildlife habitat
Okanogan County is considering purchasing 546 acres near the town of Methow at a cost of $1 million for a gravel pit and wildlife habitat. The property is on the west side of Highway 153, near Danzl Road, just north of Methow. Information about the number of acres that would be used for the gravel […]
