Have a say in Douglas County’s future: Three meetings offer opportunities for input

EAST WENATCHEE — How should Douglas County grow over the next 20 years? Residents have three upcoming opportunities to learn what local officials are considering and share their views before final decisions expected in December.

Public hearings scheduled for Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 will address updates to the Douglas County and Greater East Wenatchee Area comprehensive plans and potential expansion of the East Wenatchee Urban Growth Area. The county is encouraging residents, property owners, businesses and other interested community members to attend.

The county’s Comprehensive Plan establishes a vision for growth and development in unincorporated Douglas County through 2046. Required under Washington’s Growth Management Act, the update will guide decisions about land use, housing and other community needs as the county plans for future population growth.

Douglas County and the city of East Wenatchee also are updating the Greater East Wenatchee Area Comprehensive Plan and evaluating Urban Growth Area boundaries. Those boundaries identify areas near cities where urban development is encouraged under state law.

The planning commissions will make recommendations to elected officials. According to the county’s updated announcement, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and East Wenatchee City Council will hold the Dec. 2 joint hearing to make final decisions on the Greater East Wenatchee Area Comprehensive Plan and East Wenatchee Urban Growth Area.

All three hearings begin at 5:30 p.m.

• Oct. 28: The East Wenatchee and Douglas County planning commissions will hold a joint public hearing on the Greater East Wenatchee Area Comprehensive Plan and potential Urban Growth Area expansion at East Wenatchee City Hall, 271 Ninth St. NE.
• Nov. 4: The Douglas County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the county’s Comprehensive Plan update at the Douglas County Public Services Building, 140 19th St. NW, East Wenatchee.
• Dec. 2: The East Wenatchee City Council and Douglas County Board of Commissioners will hold a joint public hearing on the Greater East Wenatchee Area Comprehensive Plan and potential Urban Growth Area expansion at East Wenatchee City Hall, 271 Ninth St. NE.

Residents can find background information and updates on the county’s Douglas County 2046 Comprehensive Plan webpage. For more information, contact Land Services Director Kazi Haque at 509-884-7173 or khaque@co.douglas.wa.us.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect revised information from Douglas County about the public hearings, their scope, and any anticipated decisions.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media