Chelan residents press city to enforce sewer code for Butte development

At a recent City Council meeting, Chelan residents pressed for strict enforcement of sewer hookup requirements, emphasizing the need to preserve Chelan Butte from potential septic system developments. Mayor Erin McCardle opened the meeting by outlining the public comment process, which sparked passionate responses from the audience. Lynette Grandy highlighted a 2008 council decision that clarified the necessity for new developments to connect to the city’s sewer system, asserting that there was no ambiguity in the policy. Marianne Patton and Paul Elias echoed concerns about how exceptions could undermine public trust and credibility in local governance. Elias characterized Chelan Butte as an irreplaceable natural feature, paralleling it with national parks, and warned that relaxed enforcement might imply special treatment for developers.

The council is expected to address these concerns as proposals for new developments emerge. The emotionally charged discussion also featured moments of levity, including a retired councilmember's humorous remarks. Residents are advocating for a moratorium on permits related to Butte development until further evaluations occur.