Zoning Code update open for public comment through February 12

To help you prepare your comments, MVCC is hosting a Zoning Comment Workshop Webinar on February 7 from 6-7:30pm. At the webinar, Program Director Lorah Super will be joined by Futurewise Attorney Tim Trohimovich to present the good, the bad and the ugly in the revised zone code. Register for the Webinar.

If the Comprehensive Plan is the foundation of how a place is developed, then the zone code is the walls, the rules that determine lot sizes and the types of commercial, industrial and residential uses that are permitted in different parts of the County.

To prepare a comment or to get ready for the zoning workshop we recommend first looking at the zone you live in by zooming in on this map.

Next take a look in what’s allowed in your zone here (“Rural 5”, “Rural Residential”, “Urban Residential” etc.) by looking at the district use chart on p. 123 to see what is allowed and what isn’t allowed in your zone.  The above link is for the redline draft so you can see what changes have been made.

Are nightly rentals allowed but you don’t think they should be? Are commercial businesses not allowed but you think they should be?  Do regulations adequately protect dark skies?

A zone code has to toe the line between being overly prescriptive and too permissive so it’s good to look at this with an eye not just towards what you want but what would be best for your neighborhood and larger community. Note: This code only applies to areas outside of town limits. You can find town codes on their websites.

Overall, we are encouraged by this zone code!  It includes important updates on proving legal water availability before building is allowed particularly in closed basins. It requires a site analysis before other permits can be applied for.  It also allows electric vehicle charging stations throughout the County.

If you look over the code and have comments on what is or isn’t in there you can submit comments by February 12. Email Rocky Robbins Sr. Planner rrobbins@co.okanogan.wa.us or mail to her at Okanogan County Office of Planning & Development, 123 5th Ave. N, Suite 130, Okanogan, WA 98840. You can also comment in person at the public hearing on the zone code on February 20 at 6pm.

The Planning Department has determined that the changes in the zone code do not have significant adverse impacts on the environment and thus do not need an Environmental Impact Statement. If you have comments on this SEPA DNS assessment those are due by January 25. Also submitted to Rocky Robbins.