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Chelan dockets transportation-focused comp-plan amendment for study after resident comment
Summary
The council added a private proposal to amend the transportation element of the comprehensive plan to the 2026 docket for study; Community Development Director Ajax emphasized docketing is a study step and does not constitute approval, and resident Lynette Grandy raised concerns about realignment and long-term commitments.
The Chelan City Council voted to add a private transportation amendment to the 2026 comprehensive plan docket on Jan. 27, a procedural step that will put the proposal before staff and the city’s transportation consultant for study.
Community Development Director John Ajax told the council that docketing the request does not approve any change — it places the private proposal into the formal review process. "You're not approving anything if you vote yes for this tonight," Ajax explained; the Transpo Group will evaluate the request and provide recommendations, and any legislative adoption would be a separate decision by the council.
The private proposal seeks to add a Southland access corridor designation and a new goal and policies to the transportation element, including a recommended modern roundabout at Peterson Place, Wooden Avenue and US 97A and a concurrency policy tying required improvements or financial commitments to development within six years.
Resident Lynette Grandy urged careful study and noted the proposal’s potential impact: she described it as a "historic" change and highlighted that the property group is proposing specific route designations and realignment plans. "They're asking for approximately 50 words to be added to the comp plan," Grandy said, noting potential property concessions and long-term implications.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about Growth Management Act requirements, the scope of the transportation element and whether docketing would lock the city into specifics. Ajax and council members agreed the docketing step provides a starting point for analysis and does not pre-commit the council to particular design outcomes. Councilmember Hollingsworth moved to approve the 2026 comprehensive plan docket; the motion passed.
