public hearing next weds 9/9

9/4/2020

Reminder: Public Hearing Next Wednesday (9/9)

Dear STRACC Members,

Just sending a reminder about the Public Hearing next Wednesday, Sept 9 at 7pm. As you recall from our last update, we filed a strategic lawsuit that forced the BoCC to remand the draft code back to the Planning Commission and have them redo their public hearing for procedural violations of the Open Public Meetings Act.

Please register today to speak at next week's meeting to share your thoughts about the proposed code. As usual, everyone will get 2 minutes to speak. To be clear, STRACC's position is that all existing STR uses should be permanently grandfathered in without sunset clauses or revokable permits. However, we support the idea that STR owners register a "responsible party form" with the County Sheriff's office to help enforce existing nuisance codes. We believe this directly address the typical neighbor complaints (noise, parking, garbage etc.)

However, we will not relent on grandfathering. Last week, we submitted documentary evidence which unequivocally demonstrates that County's longstanding policy of allowing STRs without permits. Since existing STR owners and operators have relied on this policy, we believe this evidence gives us strong legal standing to file civil lawsuits for damages if existing STRs are not grandfathered in as legal, non-conforming uses in the proposed code. Today (Sept 4) is also the last day to submit written public comment, which you can send by email to CD.STRComment@co.chelan.wa.us.

Finally, we greatly appreciate the big show of support we received from STRACC members after last week's email update. This legal defense of our property rights relies on your continued financial assistance. You can safely DONATE ONLINE or by sending a check to STRACC, PO Box 321, Leavenworth, WA 98826.

Thanks,
The STRACC Executive Board

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