Some nightly rentals prohibited

PATEROS – It’s official. The city approved an ordinance at its regular monthly meeting on Oct. 16, prohibiting any future nightly rentals in the R-2 or single-family residential zones. Nightly rentals are allowed in R1-A (waterfront residential), the commercial district, and in mixed use zones.

The issue was brought before the council last April when a letter from Katie and Paul Servino, owners of a newly remodeled single family at 123 Chris St., requested a waiver from the city to allow nightly rentals in the home located just across the street from the R1-A zoned properties.

A public hearing followed in July where residents both for and against the nightly rentals weighed in. The city planning committee met three times and following its recommendation the council voted unanimously to deny the request for nightly rentals in single family zones. The city attorney was directed to draft Ordinance 807 amending Title 17 of the Pateros Municipal Code relating to short-term nightly rentals.

A second public hearing held Oct. 16 preceded the council’s unanimous approval to adopt the amended ordinance. It specifies that existing nightly rentals in the R-2 zone will be allowed to keep their license unless property ownership changes. The license will not transfer to new ownership.

Abandoned Buildings Project

City planner Kurt Danison reported to the council on the other planning committee issue dealing with abandoned buildings in the city limits. The discussion considered disincentives in utilities service and connections and annual landlord permits as ways to encourage owners and landlords to keep buildings occupied rather than empty.

The topic was spurred by a report delivered to the city council at its September meeting by Economic Alliance Executive Director Roni Holder-Diefenbach concerning the problem of abandoned buildings and vacant property in Okanogan County. Many of the buildings in question are in downtown cores and detract from potential revenue streams and spaces for small businesses.

Grant funds application

City administrator Jord Wilson requested council approval to apply for .09 grant funds for the planning development and construction drawings for the downtown pedestrian mall. Wilson wants the funds to complete the construction drawings for the rehab of the mall.

“Right now, we have $100,000 from a Rural Development Block Grant (RDBG),” said Wilson. “The goal of this grant is to finish up those drawings.”

The Public Facilities Fund (.09 Sales and Use Tax rebate) is allocated for rural communities and eligible entities and is limited to incorporated cities and tribes within Okanogan County.

Danison added that the .09 infrastructure fund dollars – about $1.2 million - available this year are the first in at least a decade. Not enough money comes in to distribute it every year, so the funds will be available every three years when there is enough to make it worthwhile. However, the countywide prioritization process does occur every year where applicants are rated and ranked according to merit.

“So, being No. 1 in the prioritization does matter when it comes to who gets funding,” said Danison.

Danison said half of the 16 applications submitted so far are requesting funds for project planning.

“Applications are due by the end of the month,” said Danison. “On Nov. 14 at Omak City Hall everybody will be invited to present their projects and the Infrastructure Committee will decide what to do.”

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483, michael@ward.media