Planning commission reviews floodplain code update; members raise concerns about ‘substantial improvement’ threshold and enforcement

Okanogan County planning staff reviewed proposed updates to the county’s floodplain code and related shoreline and critical-area provisions, explaining which changes are required by state or federal agencies and which are recommended clarifications. Commissioners raised concerns about the practical effects of a ‘‘substantial improvement’’ threshold, enforcement mechanisms and how the changes would affect existing, grandfathered structures.