Keep East Wenatchee Shoreline Natural and Open
Almost a mile of shoreline west of the Apple Capital Loop Trail in East Wenatchee and Douglas County that lies between the Odabashian and Pipeline bridges may be available for development. Personally, I want all land on that shoreline open for public access based on a master plan. But by September 2009, the shoreline’s fate may be determined.
The state Department of Transportation, at the request of Senator Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, prepared a report that identifies surplus lands after retaining right- of-way for the Loop Trail. WSDOT must transfer or sell surplus lands, and should include plans in their next budget proposal this September.
In the draft report, WSDOT retains a minimum Loop Trail right of way, with 25 feet on both sides of the centerline. The report also identifies stormwater treatment ponds, land for the future Cascade Avenue Interchange, wetlands, and riparian areas. All other lands are surplus.
WSDOT must receive fair market value for surplus land by sale or land exchange to private developers and /or state/local agencies. However state/local agencies must include those lands for public use in master plans. The report states, “This analysis presents the starting point for a more detailed public master planning effort involving all local stakeholders.”
Douglas County and East Wenatchee are developing master plans, and based on my reading, the report includes their requests for improved public access points and facilities.
Expanded trail access and parking would be added west of 15th Street, 19th Street, River Drive, 27th street, and 35th street.
Access across the trail for motorized vehicles would be added at 19th street and River Drive to riverfront development on surplus property.
Public facilities, presumably with restrooms would be added at 19th Street and the 27th Street access.
Riverfront development and/or a public park are anticipated on 1500 feet of shoreline property shown on page 9 of the report near the River Drive access. The property begins approximately 800 feet north of the northern end of River Drive and continues until the southern end of River Drive.
Riverfront development is anticipated on 500 feet of surplus property shown on page 10 that begins approximately 100 feet north of the access from the Douglas County parking lot on 19th Street.
Other surplus property includes the wonderful sand dunes just south of the Odabashian Bridge that stretch 2300 feet along the shoreline, and would be accessed from the 35th Street expansion. My grandchildren and boaters love those sand dunes.
Development plans require a master plan that needs your input. My preference is that access be maintained and natural views preserved for all shoreline between the Odabashian and Pipeline bridges.
Save access to the natural or park-like shoreline with your input this July and August. Public comments are underway at www.morethanatrail.com, and reports are available at the website, Douglas County, and East Wenatchee.
Douglas County is hosting an Eastside Shoreline Exhibit and Riverside Social on Tuesday, August 4, from 4 - 8 PM at the Douglas County offices on 19th Street near the trailhead, but people should get involved long before that.
The state Department of Transportation, at the request of Senator Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, prepared a report that identifies surplus lands after retaining right- of-way for the Loop Trail. WSDOT must transfer or sell surplus lands, and should include plans in their next budget proposal this September.
In the draft report, WSDOT retains a minimum Loop Trail right of way, with 25 feet on both sides of the centerline. The report also identifies stormwater treatment ponds, land for the future Cascade Avenue Interchange, wetlands, and riparian areas. All other lands are surplus.
WSDOT must receive fair market value for surplus land by sale or land exchange to private developers and /or state/local agencies. However state/local agencies must include those lands for public use in master plans. The report states, “This analysis presents the starting point for a more detailed public master planning effort involving all local stakeholders.”
Douglas County and East Wenatchee are developing master plans, and based on my reading, the report includes their requests for improved public access points and facilities.
Expanded trail access and parking would be added west of 15th Street, 19th Street, River Drive, 27th street, and 35th street.
Access across the trail for motorized vehicles would be added at 19th street and River Drive to riverfront development on surplus property.
Public facilities, presumably with restrooms would be added at 19th Street and the 27th Street access.
Riverfront development and/or a public park are anticipated on 1500 feet of shoreline property shown on page 9 of the report near the River Drive access. The property begins approximately 800 feet north of the northern end of River Drive and continues until the southern end of River Drive.
Riverfront development is anticipated on 500 feet of surplus property shown on page 10 that begins approximately 100 feet north of the access from the Douglas County parking lot on 19th Street.
Other surplus property includes the wonderful sand dunes just south of the Odabashian Bridge that stretch 2300 feet along the shoreline, and would be accessed from the 35th Street expansion. My grandchildren and boaters love those sand dunes.
Development plans require a master plan that needs your input. My preference is that access be maintained and natural views preserved for all shoreline between the Odabashian and Pipeline bridges.
Save access to the natural or park-like shoreline with your input this July and August. Public comments are underway at www.morethanatrail.com, and reports are available at the website, Douglas County, and East Wenatchee.
Douglas County is hosting an Eastside Shoreline Exhibit and Riverside Social on Tuesday, August 4, from 4 - 8 PM at the Douglas County offices on 19th Street near the trailhead, but people should get involved long before that.
Posted by JSR at 7/14/2009 5:30 AM 
Categories: Politics, Community Building:Bicycling
Tags: Douglas County Apple Capital Loop Trail. East Wenatchee Shoreline East Wenatchee
Categories: Politics, Community Building:Bicycling
Tags: Douglas County Apple Capital Loop Trail. East Wenatchee Shoreline East Wenatchee
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