Chiwawa Communities Association Rental Update
The August Newsletter for the Chiwawa River Pines Community Association (between Plain and Lake Wenatchee) is in the mail to members. It includes the news from the spring meeting on April 26 where a vote was held on an amendment to the covenants. That proposed amendment concerned commercial use in the community. The final vote was 127 in favor and 60 against. Since a change in covenants requires a majority of members to vote in favor of the amendment, which would be 152 votes, the amendment died to lack of enough votes.
That amendment would have done two things, allowed low-impact service businesses and clarified that short-term, vacation rentals are not allowed. Since it failed, the covenants remain unchanged and all commercial uses are not allowed.
It was suggested to the board, and an advisiory vote was held, to delay enforcement until after the September meeting. The board adopted that suggestion and separated the issues into three amendments for to come up for a vote in the September 27 meeting.
Members will be asked to allow specific exceptions to the current language that states “Lots shall not be utilized for industrial or commercial use…” Those exceptions are for service-oriented businesses, long-term rentals and short term rentals. In this way, each may be voted on its own merits.
Minutes from the April 26 meeting were also mailed out to the members along with their ballots for the September meeting. Other topics discussed included Emergency Services, the Hospital in Leavenworth, the fish hatchery, new board member election (I was elected to the boart), the annual report, financial report, water system report and the 2009 budget.
The April member meeting of the Chiwawa Community Association did have some contentious moments! The short term rental issue strikes strong emotions on both sides of the issue. I understand Ponderosa Pines is also wrestling with issues with vacation rentals. This issue has come up in the Chelan County Commission race as well and is an ongoing issue in many other parts of the county, including Manson and the surrounding areas. The City of Chelan has a zoning request before it that has inspired neighborhood opposition from a property owner who wants to rent his home in Chelan.
3 Responses to “Chiwawa Communities Association Rental Update”
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Thanks for the update. It will be interesting to hear how this one plays out. I understand both sides of the issue and I hope that homeowners recognize that the issue isn’t as black or white as they might think it is on the surface. I still believe that a ban on vacation rentals will have a negative impact on home prices – most of my buyers like to have the OPTION of renting should they choose to. Look at prices in the city limits of Leavenworth compared to outside the city. A ban on rentals doesn’t help values. On the flip side, landlords need to make sure they and their tenants are good neighbors. Misbehavior by tenants is what has caused this mess. No one wants bad neighbors – long term renters, short term renters or owners.
Thanks for the comment Geordie! Remember, rentals have never been allowed under the convenants in this community, so it would not be a “ban” on rentals. Also, when comparing a single family residential community to condo complexes, condos that have rentals often have on site staff, which helps to control the issues with vacation rentals and absentee landlords. I would argue the issue would have never come up if the property owners managed their properties correctly. Tenants will be tenants!
Al
I didn’t say the ban was new. But it is a ban – a prohibition.
Most of the condos in Leavenworth don’t have on site staff, but yes I agree that proper management by owners would have prevented this discussion from coming to a head.
Vacation rental owners in other areas should take heed.