Growing pains expected in Manson as future rural development is discussed

Chelan County Commissioners revisited land use planning as part of their meeting June 16. County staff had met with the community council in Manson earlier in the month to discuss plans on how best to prepare for increases in development and traffic.

"We are in very much in need for a traffic circle or round-about at the intersection of SR 150, Wapato Lake Road and Mill Road, which is the boat launch to Lake Chelan," said Manson Community Council President Mike Kirk. "The process is still early."

"They're going to have a lot of growing pains," Chelan County Commissioner Brad Hawkins told his county commission colleagues in reflecting on what has been discussed. "I looking into the SR 150 corridor and getting a corridor study would be great.

Read the Washington State Department of Transportation Corridor Sketch Study here.

"Water availability and just how much development really can occur up there responsibly, I think is a big question," added Hawkins. "And they may want some zoning changes."

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It may be a catalyst for new development as Chelan County considers joining a half dozen other Washington State counties in authorizing a loan program that allows owners of commercial, agricultural, industrial, and multifamily properties to seek long-term financing for qualified improvements related to energy efficiency and building resiliency.

It's called the C-Pacer program.

"I think it's a great tool," said county Economic Services Director Ron Cridlebaugh. "It would be great to see some of our building owners take advantage of, especially, some of the resiliency type stuff that picks up some of our older structures."

Cridlebaugh says King County has gained a reported $114 million in investments through the program.