[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6302676,"mediaKeyId","2476740-d0325471a5af86b2e77b495db2c8493c","parentId",2476740,"title","Okanogan County hears three open-space tax classification applications; WSDOT flags access issue for one parcel","audioSeconds",495,"startMs",957000,"endMs",1452000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2476740-d0325471a5af86b2e77b495db2c8493c&start=957&end=1452","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2476740-d0325471a5af86b2e77b495db2c8493c/thumbnail_957000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6302676/Okanogan-County/Washington/Okanogan-County-hears-three-open-space-tax-classification-applications-WSDOT-flags-access-issue-for-one-parcel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302676-d3162c8c0bb5b88c2c27fdbf5cae5306/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124399&Signature=XgBf6xoVqnpDwEIL8htERYv1AvtUqZUyajKv~CM6~TANjwjMd5lrAmhycDn2cz4Zr0jwetVQmTJAyFT9XIrR58WwHWfazZZd7p~r2froK9FarFoeUA0254lK35iSdeOCo21JAc22nvcBfubdRrWBl0UhdJwte29SlwctLqDcC9zNYuNk0iYASIUkMlkQqyN6rCXINw9nFFmzh8v2wq6Ul-kZmqmYzlDUIR6vN8pQO36l~8vctX1Qm-bVDJ4q4kFGFWLriIvzi0l55otnR7vt2yvwhkNEyVClRNOtcS5u85tZLIrSCcA4IxXlM0rAzoE0zv3B-9Gn7badx~tdEhP-Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Okanogan County, WA","date","2025-02-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Okanogan County hearings examiner took testimony Wednesday on multiple applications to enroll property into the county's open-space tax classification under the Public Benefit Rating System and closed the record, with written decisions to follow.

Senior planner Rocky Robbins presented a request from Kevin Plann to place 30 acres into the open-space tax classification. The property scored 6 points under the county Public Benefit Rating System, which county staff said corresponds to a 30% property-tax reduction for qualifying open-space land.

Robbins also presented three separate applications from the Methow Conservancy seeking to enroll about 280.59 acres across three parcels. Staff reported the largest parcel (parcel number 9108004000) received a maximum 9 points for shoreline environment, special animal sites, minor ponds/wetlands, and acreage that together would yield a 40% reduction in property taxes; two smaller Methow Conservancy parcels received 4 points (20% reduction) and 5 points (25% reduction) respectively.

Kevin Plann, the applicant for the 30-acre request, said he supports conservation and described plans to improve habitat, work with Trout Unlimited on stream repairs, and open portions of the property for public bird-watching and trail use. \"We really want to embrace the park,\" Plann said. He asked for clarification about a comment labeled \"IDT\" in the staff packet.

Rocky Robbins and staff identified one substantive outside comment from the Washington State Department of Transportation: WSDOT said State Route 20 adjacent to one parcel is a Class 1 highway and that existing access did not appear to match current permits. Staff and the examiner read WSDOT's recommendation that the owner contact WSDOT to resolve access compliance and submit a full access application and review per the DOT design manual. The staff report lists a Washington State DOT contact and phone number for follow-up.

Sarah Brooks, appearing for the Methow Conservancy applications, raised a minor scoring question about points awarded for parcel size and wetlands on one parcel; staff agreed to review and correct the point calculation if necessary. There was no public testimony opposing the applications.

The hearings examiner admitted exhibits and the staff reports into the record and said he would issue written decisions within the next 10 working days. No final approvals were announced at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning 02/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Okanogan County hearings examiner took testimony Wednesday on multiple applications to enroll property into the county's open-space tax classification under the Public Benefit Rating System and closed the record, with written decisions to follow.","taxTitle","Okanogan County, Washington","taxId",65560,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302680,"Hearing examiner pauses decision on No Paws Left Behind conditional use permit; record closed for written decision",481,358000,839000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2476740-d0325471a5af86b2e77b495db2c8493c&start=358&end=839","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2476740-d0325471a5af86b2e77b495db2c8493c/thumbnail_358000.jpg","/articles/6302680/Okanogan-County/Washington/Hearing-examiner-pauses-decision-on-No-Paws-Left-Behind-conditional-use-permit-record-closed-for-written-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302680-59f6ea2ed28a95ad8bbcec5139bd513e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124399&Signature=LJL52PyEvkDDhVN8NfaKNuamop14pMo0d5DdR3BBzkN3YVIpTuZqMogZIGq4cGf4uX23yQ24pVSoI8wPQ~NpMtGdTX2FWcsbIt448Tg4jHPMQvp0KDjGIq1Els4ut~o34LwXXJPnrLouDqXyZd3n0b-Kjy4YNNnnxrj8g4k~R9VdfyRXFYmR1DFniMxrsqFMZkGFLCSrasdBRbgM2Z-ehxJoX1w1EpNZPRu5c7ALKmGFXvmO0vOCNz5Vq9dh3mFKE7~tYVzWnRwpumGJoZesvwbXyi7LPzAzt8PRWvPDtXHplAZuNn6b1Qc3GRfcH48cwpbEq3VuxkfbDO8dHAKSWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A hearings examiner in Okanogan County heard testimony Wednesday on whether No Paws Left Behind, a dog rescue operating at a property subject to CUP 2016-02, complied with condition No. 12 of the permit renewal and admitted submitted reports into the record.

The hearing examiner said staff exhibits and submitted reports would be part of the record and that a written decision would follow. \"I will have a decision made within the next 10 working days,\" the examiner said.

Pam Wilson, Planner II for Okanogan County, told the examiner that the reports submitted used the county-provided template intended to satisfy condition No. 12 of the 2024 CUP renewal. Wilson said the county's zoning administrator had determined that the rescue's operations met the definition of a commercial kennel and therefore required a conditional use permit under Okanogan County code. \"The Office of Planning and Development is requesting that the hearings examiner confirm that the conditional use permit is required for the proposed use of a dog rescue consistent with the operation of No Paws Left Behind,\" Wilson said.

Christopher (Chris) Allen, listed in the record as the landowner, permit holder and No Paws treasurer, testified that he retained counsel, had revised reports and supplied supporting veterinary documentation. \"We are attempting to becoming compliant and have been working with Miss Wilson,\" Allen said. Allen disputed whether a CUP should be required but said he was trying to meet county requirements and reserved the right to raise the jurisdiction question later.

County staff and the examiner noted the reports were not timely. The examiner said that if he found compliance, it would not be due to the late timing of those filings. The examiner closed the public record for the item and said he would review the file and issue a written decision within the statutory period.

No vote or final ruling was issued at the hearing. The transcript shows no other public testimony was presented in person or online for this item.","Okanogan County hearing examiner heard staff and the permit holder on compliance with a 2024 conditional-use permit condition for No Paws Left Behind dog rescue, admitted late reports into the record and closed the hearing; a written decision is due within 10 working days.","actionData","errors"]

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Okanogan County hears three open-space tax classification applications; WSDOT flags access issue for one parcel

Hearing examiner pauses decision on No Paws Left Behind conditional use permit; record closed for written decision