Comments on: Ponderosa Estates to Ban Vacation Rentals?

By: Geordie Romer

Geordie Romer — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:48:16 +0000

Becky- thanks for your comments. Judge Chip Small has recently ruled on the Chiwawa River Pines lawsuit

http://iciclecreekrealestate.com/2009/11/11/leavenworth-property-rights-fundraiser/comment-page-1/#comment-3256

It appears as though rentals in Chiwawa River Pines are now limited to those rentals 30 days or longer.

I hope the folks in Ponderosa can avoid the acrimony we have seen in the Chiwawa River Pines.

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:24:51 +0000

Geordie, my husband and I own a cabin in Ponderosa and our income is based on taking care of those rental cabins and a few larger lodges which also rent in the Plain Valley. After speaking with several real estate agents in this area, I was told that though they have had buyers, cabins in Chiwawa Pines have not been selling because those buyers want the option to rent to supplement their purchase of a vacation cabin. Our small business and many other businesses in this valley are now being effected by Chiwawa Pines decision to ban the rentals (which had been going on long before their advarsary came into the picture). A long-time prescedence of cabin rental had been set, and the Board of Chiwawa Pines (who had a personal vendetta) chose to misinform the property owners regarding the few issues surrounding the renters (even though some of the problems were with cabin owners themselves) and ban the rentals totally ignoring the consequences of this action. I have spoken to several members of that community (some who own businesses) who voted for the ban but have now reconsidered, since they are now beging affected by the impact on this valley’s recreational economy, as are many who are employed with taking care of owner owned rental cabins. I, for one, have a small business in Plain, and am now feeling the effects of this decision. Whether or not the covenants state no rentals, the agenda is to turn this area into a retirement community, so what will be left for future generations who want to come to this pristine area for recreational enjoyment? Al Lorenz so graciously told of the Manson proposal – could not this be a compromise to the Chiwawa Pines community?

By: Al Lorenz

Al Lorenz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:54:07 +0000

Geordie,

The Manson Community Council is proposing in their Manson Sub Area Plan (a Chelan County comprehensive plan overlay for the Manson area) that vacation rentals will be required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit that has requirements for parking, garbage, occupancy, etc.

It goes before the Chelan County Planning Commission for a hearing on November 9th and is scheduled for a hearing with the County Commission Dec 23rd. The outcome of all that may be interesting for other communities in Chelan County. You can get the documents that are before planning commission at http://www.propertychelan.com/Chelan_Real_Estate_Blog/?p=2180

By: Geordie Romer

Geordie Romer — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:25:37 +0000

PJ- Thanks for your comments. I have heard a couple reports from the meeting and both folks said that while the meeting was emotional, they guessed that about 2/3 of those present were in favor of allowing rentals in the Ponderosa, though probably with some new rules or restrictions.

I’m happy to post a report from this meeting if someone wants to write a guest post. I’d be happy to share more than one report and get both sides of the story.

By: PJ

PJ — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:26:35 +0000

I am a cabin owner in the Ponderosa and I attended the meeting held recently as mentioned to discuss the members’ thoughts on vacation rentals. There has been NO VOTING in regards to this and only a discussion has taken place. No further changes have taken place and the out come of the meeting was positive for vacation rentals. Please DO NOT misunderstand anything you read on-line it may be bogus.
Thank you.