The old schoolhouse in Methow, now the Methow Community Club, was packed Friday night with residents discussing and sharing what they would like to preserve in their community in light of the zone code revisions proposed by the county.
They also discussed whether to join the Methow Review District, which has more stringent regulations than Rural 5, whose jurisdiction spans from Methow to the rest of the county along Highway 97.
Lorah Super, Program Director of the Methow Valley Citizens Council, led the discussion. Representatives from the Dark Skies Coalition were also there to answer questions.
Residents discussed in small groups, then shared their thoughts. Most groups expressed a desire to join the Methow Review District or form their own district. One group wanted more information.
Super said the Methow Valley is one of the few pristine places left in the country with regard to visibility of the night sky. Eighty percent of the population in the country is no longer able to see stars or see them clearly, she said. Super talked about the importance of asking the county for light and glare protections, i.e. requirements to shift light downward in all new constructions, not just in lodging and campgrounds. Existing homes and Christmas lights would be excluded, she said.
Super encouraged attendees to submit comments to the county planning department with regard to their values, inclusion of the Lower Valley and Sub Unit C in the Methow Review District, and protection for dark skies.
The county’s zone code revisions can be found here. Comments must be submitted by Nov. 12 to [email protected].
An earlier article about competing interests in the county with regard to zone code revisions can be found here.
