Task Force Seen as Positive by STRACC

The Short Term Rental Alliance of Chelan County is viewing the recent decision by Chelan County Commissioners to extend the short term rental moratorium and form a task force as a positive step.

Vice Chair Zelda Holgate said owners breathed a sigh of relief because the code would have shut down 2/3 of the short term rentals in Chelan County in the next 3 years.

"I've been at this two and a half or three years and we have asked several times for a seat at the table." explained Holgate, "At one point in 2018 or 2019 the planning commission had talked about having a workshop or task force, and I was encouraged, but then they went ahead and hired a consultant instead."

The task force will be comprised of six members, or three members from each side of the issue. Holgate added that one of their priorities when it comes to the code is working something out on the enforcement end.

"We need to make sure that the nuisance codes are enforced, and that if a neighbor has an issue with a short term rental they have resolution because they haven't had that." continued Holgate, "The county hasn't been great at the enforcement piece."

County Commissioners will ultimately finalize the decision.