Chelan residents press city to enforce sewer code for Butte development

CHELAN — With a full house and a newly seated councilmember, residents used Tuesday night’s City Council meeting to urge strict enforcement of Chelan’s sewer hookup requirements for new development on Chelan Butte, saying the iconic landmark should not be compromised by on-site septic systems.

Mayor Erin McCardle opened the public portion of the night just after 5:30, but first reminded the audience of city policy before the first speaker approached the microphone. She noted that the public comment period is a time for the council to listen, not debate, and that questions could be addressed later through comment cards or follow-up requests. The reminder set expectations for what became a passionate appeal from residents alarmed by proposals for short-term rental development on the Butte and the possibility of developers seeking an exception to municipal sewer rules.

Chelan resident Lynette Grandy opened the comments with a historical reminder. She referenced a 2008 council decision that clarified existing policy after developers claimed the city code was ambiguous. Reading from the council-approved minutes of that meeting, she noted that staff had emphasized the clarification was not a change in policy, but a restatement of longstanding expectations that all new development must connect to the city’s sewer collection system.

That difference is important, since the ambiguity the developer relied on was that the policy clarification in 2008 would have required a period of public input following the clarification — if it had been new policy. Grandy was pointing out that no such period was required, so there was no ambiguity.

Grandy expressed concern that recent engineering work and private proposals might be contributing to the original policy “going adrift.” She urged the city to uphold both the letter and intent of the 2008 decision.

The emotionally charged discussion was then punctuated by a moment of levity as retired councilmember Bob Goedde, who served for three decades, returned to thank the city for honoring him at the previous meeting. Wearing a custom t-shirt made by the City featuring his own face and the message “30 Years Serving Chelan / 100% Chelan / 100% Goedde,” Goedde expressed appreciation for how warmly his retirement was celebrated.

Mayor Erin McCardle responded with a joke, saying they might have sold the shirts on the street and that the whole community would likely have bought one, drawing laughter from the room.

Resident Marianne Patton followed with a personal appeal, saying opposition to sewer exceptions has nothing to do with stereotypes about wealthy residents protecting views.

“There are people who suggest we live in enormous, gorgeous mansions with sunrise views,” she said. “Neither of those is true for me.” Patton described Chelan Butte as “a kind of sentinel that needs to remain in its original condition,” arguing that making exceptions would weaken the city’s ability to enforce its code and would damage public trust. She urged the council to apply the rules equally to all developments and described the issue as one of stewardship, credibility and community integrity.

Part-time Chelan resident Paul Elias warned that allowing a developer to bypass the city’s hookup requirement would erode confidence in local government. He called the Butte “an irreplaceable, world-class natural feature” like those one might find “in national parks,” and argued that failing to enforce code requirements would amount to tacit approval of large-scale development.

Elias said any decision that grants exceptions without high visibility and community input would raise fairness questions for residents who have complied with the rules at significant expense. He cautioned that relaxed enforcement could be interpreted as special treatment.

Chelan resident Tammy Haig closed the comment period concerning the Butte with a broader request: Issue a temporary moratorium on permits related to Butte development until all cumulative impacts can be reviewed. Haig said planning should not occur “piecemeal” and argued that the city must evaluate long-term effects tied to water access, marinas, boat launches, traffic changes, and purchases of homes that create access points up the steep terrain.

She stated that the heart of the community wants the Butte to remain open space and said people are willing to work toward that outcome, even if uncertain.

Following public comment, the council moved directly into its agenda without discussing the requests. Under city policy, staff may follow up with individuals, but the council does not debate during comment time.

The Butte and its related sewer requirements are expected to surface again in 2026, when the city updates land-use policies and conducts comprehensive plan reviews. A private request affecting the Butte has already been submitted for docketing with the Chelan Planning Commission.

For those who spoke Tuesday, the message was consistent: The code is clear, the Butte is irreplaceable, and the community is watching.

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