BoCC CreateS Task Force, Extends Process Into New Year

12/29/2020

BoCC Creates Task Force and Extends STR Process into the New Year!

Dear STRACC Supporter,

Today was a victory for STRs in Chelan County! After a huge show of support for STRs at last week's public hearing, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) decided to postpone a vote on the controversialSTR code. Instead, they approved a resolution to create a "task force" with members from both sides of the issue to work together on a compromise solution. Importantly, the BoCC's decision extends the code review process into the new year, when Commissioner-elect (and STRACC-endorsed) Tiffany Gering gets seated on Jan 4th. She will have a say on selecting the 7 members of the task force, which will be comprised of 3 pro-STR members, 3 anti-STR members, and 1 member from the County's planning commission. The task force will be asked to make "signifiant progress" within 3 months and a non-binding recommendation to the BoCC within 6 months. Commissioner Bugert reached out to STRACC today to nominate members to the task force. Getting a seat at the table is a big win for us.

The BoCC also scheduled a public hearing today for January 12 at 10:30am for comment on extending the moratorium on new STR, with an exception for the approximately 45 lawfully permitted STRs in the Manson UGA. Manson created a short-term rental permit process several years ago that the county manages. Otherwise, we believe the moratorium has no legal standing. The Jan 12 hearing will a be an opportunity for us to weigh in on the legality of the moratorium and the uncertainty it is creating.
Before closing today's BoCC meeting, England handed over chairmanship of the BoCC to Bob Bugert for the coming year.

Take Our Survey!!

Finally as we await the formation of the task force, we urge all STRACC supporters to take a deep sigh of relief and then a few minutes to Take the STRACC Survey. We need your input to better serve you and fight for you rights in our upcoming negotiations with the County.

Thank you for your support,
The STRACC Executive Board

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