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 Planning
Property owner asks relief from stop-work order
Miller agrees to pursue permits for site restoration Mark Miller, who’s been working on a peninsula of land on the Methow River, told Okanogan County’s hearing examiner that he didn’t think he needed permits to simply restore roads and rebuild a structure that burned in the 2014 Carlton Complex Fire. Miller was appealing a May […]
Property owner appeals stop-work order
County planning says permits are needed for clearing, grading A property owner near the town of Methow is appealing an Okanogan County order to stop clearing and grading work on property near the Methow River. Property owner Mark Miller says this restoration work is necessary to help the riverfront property recover from the 2014 Carlton […]
County water study could halt some new development
Certain areas in the county could be off-limits to new development while the county studies water availability there.
The Okanogan County commissioners are considering an amendment to the county code that would curtail certain land uses that rely on wells for drinking water where there are …
County considering changes to application process for nightly rentals
Okanogan County is considering changes to its procedure for approving and permitting nightly rentals. Nightly rentals, where a property owner rents…
County considering wedding center near Winthrop
The Okanogan County hearing examiner is considering a conditional-use permit for a proposal to use an existing barn on the Twisp-Winthrop East Side Road as a wedding and event center. In October, Okanogan County hearing examiner Dan Beardslee dismissed appeals from four neighbors who said the proposal for Gardner View Ranch would have a significant […]
Comment on nightly rentals, water study
Licensing requirements for nightly rentals and a proposal to study water availability will be taken up by the Okanogan County Planning Commission at its December meeting. Under the proposed changes to nightly rentals, all property owners wanting to rent a house or cabin to tourists for a short stay (under 30 days) will have to […]
County hearing on water-study areas
The Okanogan County planning commission is holding a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the county code that would allow the county commissioners to designate areas where certain land uses, including subdivisions, would be curtailed to allow the county to study water availability. The county would use the areas to do a detailed analysis […]
County will hold hearing on nightly rental proposals
The Okanogan County Planning Department has scheduled a public hearing about a proposal that would change requirements for nightly rentals.
Under the proposed changes, all property owners wanting to rent a house or cabin to tourists for a short stay …
Proposal would open 368 miles in north county to ATVs
County reviews options in District 3; will consider other locations also By Marcy Stamper An additional 368 miles of roads, primarily in northeastern Okanogan County, may be opened to wheeled all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), based on a proposal by the county commissioners. The new review of roads suitable for ATV riders comes after the commissioners rescinded […]
