Big changes coming to City of Leavenworth

The City of Leavenworth’s Study session on May 11 reviewed changes to city building codes, closure of Front Street, allowing honeybees in the city limits, a potential new wetland park, and a new policy for event funding.

The Wildland Urban Interface Building Code (WUI code) changes are being made in recognition of the potential fire danger that is ever present in the city from forest fires. It is a real danger that we all face by living in this area. Here is a quick summary of the changes being made:

1. Roof Covering – class A rating required.
2. Eave, soffit and fascia protections – underside shall be protected by ignition-resistant materials. Fascias would have a backside ignition-resistant material.
3. Gutters and downspouts – designed to prevent accumulation of debris (leaves).
4. Exterior walls – constructed with noncombustible or approve fire-resistant materials.
5. Replacement/Repair of siding – requirement for approved new construction materials when replacing 50% or more within 12 months.
6. Underfloor enclosure – requiring underfloor areas to be enclosed to the ground.
7. Appendages and projections (such as decks and bay windows) – requiring construction using noncombustible materials.
8. Vents – required to be designed and approved to prevent flame or ember penetration
9. Vent Location – located in a manner to reduce fire penetration.

Essentially these are recommendations by the Firewise program that has been supported by our Fire Department and the Chumstick Fire Coalition for a number of years. The purpose is to make it harder for embers from a forest fire to blow onto your property and ignite a fire in your home. Many residents will remember how embers from a forest fire on Sunny Slope ignited fires two miles away in Wenatchee a few years back. It is a real threat.

Councilwoman Mia Bretz questioned the cost impact to homeowners from this new code. She said she wanted more detail before she was ready to vote. The issue was brought up in a public meeting at the city council meeting that evening and after that meeting it passed unanimously. No additional information was provided regarding the cost impact to homeowners.

Council discussed keeping Front Street closed through the Martin Luther King holiday in 2022. The closure would include Front street from the west end at Highway 2 to 10^th street on the East end. This would provide a pedestrian mall where no cars would be allowed. It includes 124 parking spaces that would not be available to tourists or residents. There has been considerable discussion over the years of permanently closing part of Front Street to create a Pedestrian Mall and make it more like the Town Square’s found in most European cities. Those discussions always limited the closure to Front Street between 8^th and 9^th streets. The measure was included in the consent agenda which passed by unanimous vote without any discussion of the issue by Council members.

Mayor Carl Florea requested the city remove its prohibition on honeybees in the city. Currently, in the city code bees are prohibited animals. The Mayor is asking the council to consider a pilot program as follows:

1. Allow no more than 4 permits for the duration of the pilot program
2. Implement pilot program from 1/1/2022 through 1/1/2025
3. Apply needed conditions based on best practices from other jurisdictions

Councilwoman Sharon Waters expressed concern about residents who may be allergic to bee stings. No action was taken on the issue.

Council had a brief discussion about the possibility of building a wetlands park on property the city owns on Popular Ave. west of Ski Hill. Much of the wetlands is outside city limits although the map provided does not clearly delineate the city limit. The city owns two parcels that are intended for park development in 2026, $175,000 is available for funding. This would cover initial park planning. No actual timeline has been established at this time.

Finally, the city discussed a proposal for a new event program. City Administrator, Ana Cortez, said the event plan was being developed to address concerns about equity, lack of consistency and City contributions to some events.

The city is planning to issue a statement that the month of October will no longer be reserved solely for Oktoberfest and that the city is seeking applications from organizations that will sponsor activities as follows, “The City seeks a new partnership with an entity that will conceptualize, plan, prepare, execute, evaluate and replicate a marquee event to promote the City, showcase local businesses, respect community character, celebrate inclusion and balance needs of visitors and residents in October.”

The city is also looking to establish a new funding plan for events that seek funding from the city. The plan is known as The Leavenworth Fund. Total funds available for this plan are $150,000 with a maximum of $10,000 per request.

Grants would be established for four focus areas as follows:

1. Heads in Beds
2. COVID-19 Non profits
3. Operations for Destination Non Profits
4.  Non Profit Youth or Senior Services

Changes to the Event approval process was not on the evening city council agenda and was not discussed or voted on.