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 […]
Okanogan County
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 […]
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 […]
Yakama Nation revisits comprehensive plan suit against county
The Yakama Nation has run out of patience with Okanogan County, saying the county “intentionally disregarded” its obligations to redo its comprehensive plan and zoning code by the end of last year. The Yakama Nation is asking the court to vacate the March 2017 stipulated settlement of a lawsuit they filed over water protections in […]
County releases comp plan draft and environmental review
Okanogan County has issued a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed revisions to its 2014 comprehensive plan. The comp plan informs other county land-use regulations. It serves as the basis for the zoning code, which applies the comp plan principles to specific areas and parcels throughout the county. The proposed revisions to the […]
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 reviewing comp plan comments
Editor’s note: This version of the article was updated from the version that appeared in the March 6, 2019 issue of the Methow Valley News to correct information about the outcome of the lawsuit over the plan. Most of the input came from Methow Valley residents Although Okanogan County’s comprehensive plan outlines the future of […]
County Watch featured on public TV show
Citizen group cited for open government watchdog efforts Okanogan County Watch, the group of volunteers who take detailed notes every week at county commissioners’ meetings, is being featured on a public TV show for shining a light on the functions and inner workings of local government. Tom Layson, the writer and producer of the Emmy […]
County taking another look at cannabis growing regulations
More tweaks to zoning code requirements By Marcy Stamper Okanogan County continues to tweak its zoning regulations to make marijuana operations more compatible with residential and commercial areas and more clearly defined for growers. The county currently has an interim zoning code that bans cannabis farms in some areas and requires a conditional-use permit in […]
Early primary returns: Diamond and Goehner appear headed to 12th District showdown; county sheriff’s race remains close
independent Ann Diamond of Winthrop was winning Okanogan County in the primary election race among four candidates hoping to replace retiring 12th Legislative District Rep. Cary Condotta for Position 1 in early returns Tuesday (Aug. 7). But Republican Keith Goehner of Leavenworth was leading overall in the multi-county race.
