OKANOGAN COUNTY WATCH
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Okanogan County Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan is the County's document that describes how we plan for population growth and land use currently and in the future.  It is a work in progress, and the process for addressing it is complex.  In an effort to help citizens participate in the process, County watch is providing this page with information about the Comp Plan and related documents that we hope will help people find the information they need to make informed comments.  We do not advocate for any position or point of view- our goal is transparency and access to public information.

Comprehensive plan - Existing and Proposed Draft

The existing Comprehensive Plan was approved on December 22, 2014 as BOCC Resolution 119-2014.  To download a copy, click here.​

The December 2014 Comp plan is undergoing revision, and the process for this includes several steps.  A draft Comprehensive Plan with the proposed changes was written and published in November 2018.  First, an Environmental Impact Statement must be approved, which includes a public comment period, and review by the Regional Planning Commission.  The Comment period for the Draft EIS is open until September 19. 2019. Written comments can be sent in up until then, and there will be an opportunity to submit verbal comments at a special Planning Commission meeting on August 19th, 2019.  The Planning Commission may also take verbal comments at their regular meeting on August 26th, but that has not been confirmed at this time.  

The Planning Commission will review and make their final recommendation to the BOCC, who will vote on the final plan.  The date for this has not been determined.

The documents involved in this process are listed below, along with links for downloading:
Draft Comprehensive Plan, November 5, 2018
Draft Environmental Impact Statement July 15, 2019

It may be helpful to see the County's District Use Chart, which shows various uses and how they are regulated in the different zoning districts.  The chart can be viewed here.

The Okanogan County Planning department has many more supporting documents, including maps of various proposals, and comments submitted on the DEIS scoping on their website. http://www.okanogancounty.org/planning/
For notes on the public hearing that was held on August 19, 2019 before the Planning Commission click here.  A link can also be found on our "other notes and videos" page under the Planning Commission section.

Historical Information about Comprehensive Plan Recommendations

When the Comprehensive Plan was undergoing review for proposed revision in the late-2000's, the County Commissioners obtained state funding to assist the process, which allowed them to form neighborhood groups made up of citizens from the various areas of the County.  County Watch has just received the documents from the County pertaining to these groups, and will post them as time allows.  

The groups met for one to two years and submitted their recommendations to the Planning Director.  The BOCC opted not to use any of them in the final plan that was approved in December 2014, but we felt that since so much work went into this effort that it is worth posting the results so that people can see what their neighbors were thinking about land use and development in 2008.
Loomis-Nighthawk-Pine Creek-Horse Spring Coulee Advisory Group

Vision Statement

Wauconda-Chesaw-Aneas Valley Advisory Group - no documents available at this time.

​Oroville - Tonasket Advisory Group - no documents available at this time

Riverside - Concunully - Tunk Advisory Group - no documents available at this time.

Omak - Okanogan Advisory Group - no documents available at this time.

Upper Methow Valley Advisory Group - The Mazama Area has a special status as "Sub-unit A in a More Completely Planned Area."  They have their own advisory committee, with their own website.  You can visit it by clicking here, and find links to the "Mazama Plan".

In 2007, the Methow Conservancy commissioned a study to look at the cost of providing community services to different categories of land use in Okanogan County.  It was submitted by the neighborhood group.  You can view the study here.

Mid-Methow Valley Advisory Group

Vision statement
Goals and Policies (September 2008 draft)
​

Lower Methow Valley Advisory Group - This group had a paid facilitator, and much of their work has been preserved.

Vision Statement
Position on Zoning
Endorsement of Mid-Valley group goals and policies

Feedback on Clustering
Agricultural Lands
Clearing and Grading
Critical Areas
Forest Resource Lands
Meeting notes December 6, 2007
Meeting notes February 1, 2008
Meeting notes February 21, 2008
Meeting notes March 6, 2008
Meeting notes March 20, 2008
Meeting notes April 6, 2008
Meeting notes July 31, 2008
Meeting notes August 24, 2008

Brewster - Pateros Advisory Group

Vision Statement

Copyright © 2018
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  • Comprehensive Plan