Pine Forest News and Views

 

Winter 2003

Winter is a special time in the Methow and for those of you who enjoy the pleasures and possibilities of winter with snow on the ground, this is the place to be. We have more snow on the ground so far, than we had in mid-January last year, and the predictions are for a much more “normal” snow year than we have had recently. All of this means better skiing and more moisture in the ground come Spring.

 

Pine Forest Prevails in Court Challenge

            Pine Forest Homeowners Association’s recent challenge of Okanogan County’s decision to continue to vest an application that would allow the construction of a 40 unit development on the 80 acre property immediately south of Pine Forest was upheld by a Douglas County judge. The legal challenge was based on the facts that this application (filed 11 years ago) was an incomplete application, was never an application that could legally vest under Washington State law, and was never legally processed by Okanogan County giving the public proper notice and right of input on the County’s review.

            The judicial hearing was held on Oct. 18^th in Waterville, Douglas County, and the presiding judge Hotchkiss ruled in our favor on Nov. 21^st. He agreed that the application could not legally vest in the first place.  This means the property can now only be developed under current zoning which allows for only one unit per 20 acres.

The developer has asked for a reconsideration by the judge and can appeal this decision to the State Court of Appeals. We are confident that the legal decision is sound and will withstand any appeal.  This decision will protect Pine Forest from being degraded by such an inappropriate, high-density development.

 

New Members

Please welcome at your earliest opportunity, these new members

            Kim Walter and Carol Meacham, lot 167

William and Erin Ellis, lot 1R

The Bob Bergstrom family, lot 14R

Robert and Nanette Inn, lot 170

Bruce and Brenda Moran, former property owners, are leasing the home of Emmett                                          Kinkade on lot 188, while their new home is built in the valleys

 

Board Vacancies

            Steve Koontz, a board member and long time Pine Forest homeowner, has sold his home and resigned his seat on the board.  The board will also have at least one other position to fill at the May meeting.   Anyone interested in participating on the board, please contact us by mail:

Pine Forest Board

Box 443

Winthrop, WA 98862

 

Water Situation

            The recently formed Water Resource Committee held it’s first meeting. Although not all members were able to attend, those not in attendance have been kept abreast of the progress. Members are Dave Chantler, Kris Guttormsen, Chris Hopkins, Jim Rogers and John Tifft, along with Charle Segale our Water Manager. Our first meeting was spent in discussion about the current situation with our main well area, and what action we need to take to insure the integrity of this important water sourcing. We will be in discussion on this and other longer range topics during the next several months, and we will be in touch with the Architectural Committee on the subject of water use suggestions and if any – need to set guidelines for exterior usage in the future.

 

Christmas Holiday Meeting

            Remember, we will be holding our annual budget review meeting at 3 PM on December 27^th, at Sun Mountain Lodge. This is a special annual meeting required by law to offer members the opportunity to discuss next year’s budget approved by the board.  If called for at the meeting, a vote will be taken to reject the approved budget; a 60% vote (of all owners) would be required to reject the approved budget.   We will also open the meeting to other questions or topics, but not include a full year review as we do at the annual membership meeting in May.  We hope to see as many of you as can attend.