ZONING ISSUE #1:  

SUPPORT DARK SKY AND RIDGETOP PROTECTIONS FOR ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION  IN THE METHOW VALLEY 

ISSUE: Good News! After over a decade of citizen requests to protect the valley’s phenomenal dark skies and beautiful viewshed, the Zoning Update currently open for comment contains a recommendation to extend Light and Glare Protection throughout the Methow Valley. The recommendation also includes a provision to protect Ridgetops by prohibiting building within 50 feet of a ridgetop.  

 PROBLEM: Unfortunately, these provisions were placed in a sub-section of Zoning that only applies to Inns, Lodges and Campgrounds! This means that Light and Glare and Ridgetop protection would only apply to lodging, and not to new homes, industry and commercial uses.  

ACTION: Tell the County to move the Light and Glare and Ridgetop language to a new section of the Zoning so that it will apply to ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION, including residential, commercial and industrial uses, throughout the Methow Valley, to protect our skies and views as the valley grows.  

ZONING ISSUE #2: 

PREVENT SPRAWL IN THE METHOW VALLEY! 

ISSUE: Ever since the Okanogan County Board of County Commissioners adopted the Methow Valley Addendum to the County Comprehensive Plan in 1976, one of the key principles has been to focus commercial uses in the towns. The purpose of this policy has been to avoid the sprawling commercial strips that mar many highways in Washington State.  

This policy has worked, leading to a landscape that protects the rural character of the Methow Valley, a core value shared by our communities.  

PROBLEM: Proposed Changes to the District Use Chart would add commercial, office, and industrial uses and salvage (junk) yards as allowed uses in the Methow Review District (MRD) and threatens our successful heritage.  

ACTION: Urge County Commissioners to follow the wise choice Okanogan County enacted in 1976 and reject adding commercial, office and industrial uses to the Methow Review District. 

ZONING ISSUE #3:  

ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO EXTEND METHOW VALLEY ZONING THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED 

ISSUE: Since 1976, the lower third of the Methow Valley has been cut off from the protections afforded by the Methow Review District. The lower valley is an important part of our rural watershed, with extremely dark skies, wide open spaces, and the same river running through it! 

PROBLEM: Under current and proposed zoning, the lower valley is effectively lumped with the county instead of included as part of one valley. It is not treated as the special place it is – not protected from sprawl and subject to commercial/industrial uses that are incompatible with its narrow geography and residents quiet way of life. 

ACTION: Ask the County to change the zoning of the lower Methow valley to reflect that it is part of the same watershed, with the same desire to protect its unique rural character.
BONUS: Encourage the county to stick with their promise to support local Advisory Groups in Sub Units B and C! 

ZONING COMMENT DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 12 5PM 

SEND COMMENTS TO: 

PETE PALMER, PLANNING DIRECTOR 

spalmer@co.okanogan.wa.us