Get your popcorn ready, folks, because the Okanogan County zoning saga keeps getting weirder. Remember those concerns about out-of-control development? Well, forget those – the true enemy is anyone daring to build a shed without express government permission. Seriously.

“One change in the code is a proposal to require a site analysis for prefab storage sheds to ensure that the shed will be properly sited and comply with setbacks already in the code” Pete Palmer Planning Director

According to Commissioner Andy Hover (AH), those who commit dangerous acts like unpermitted doghouse construction are a serious threat, and “right now, those are things you can go to jail for.” Is this a joke? We’re not sure, because the County still hasn’t fully explained the ‘why’ behind the changes. Maybe they’re hoping to surprise us all? Commissioner Chris Branch’s (CB) clarification wasn’t much help: “Commissioner Hover wants to send people to jail for not getting a site analysis. And most people don’t know what a site analysis is.”

Transparency isn’t the only thing lacking. Apparently, the County believes the entire zoning revision process is so far above our heads that “a lot of training” is needed for us simple folk to even grasp it. Never mind that, according to Commissioner Hover, this mess is a knee-jerk reaction to a lawsuit stemming from a “philosophical standpoint” that chose to “ignore a lot of pieces of the law.” Clear as mud, right?

Things took a worrisome turn at the February 27th meeting. Planning Director Pete Palmer expressed embarrassment about the whole process, while Commissioner Branch bluntly stated that the Yakima Nation lawsuit effectively silenced the public’s voice. Palmer emphatically added, “this is not the way public planning should be done.” Yet, the key question remains: What specific legal requirements prompted these changes, and why did the County settle with the Yakima Nation instead of going to court?

At today’s commissioner meeting (Mar 4, 2024), instead of addressing legitimate public concerns, commissioners chose to belittle residents by comparing their use of Facebook to that of a child.

Here’s where it gets truly troubling. Concerned citizens attending meetings are dismissed as a “mob mentality” with Commissioner Hover going so far as to accuse the public of wanting the Planning Commission to ignore the law. The irony is breathtaking considering the County’s own questionable adherence to transparency laws.

Let’s Recap the Sheer Absurdity:

• Dangerous DIYers: Beware! You might become a hardened criminal for putting up a birdhouse.
• Secret Laws: The basis for the changes is being kept under wraps, so who knows what they’re actually trying to achieve?
• Mob Mentality Accusations: Citizens expressing legitimate concerns are being belittled and painted as a mindless horde.
• Forced Illegality: The Commissioners openly admit to pressuring the Planning Commission to potentially violate planning principles, out of fear of public backlash.
• Yakima Nation Concerns: Statements from commissioners raise concerns about the loss of local control over land use decisions, and highlight a lack of transparency on why the lawsuit settlement was the chosen path.

Here’s the bottom line, Okanogan County: We deserve better than this. Demand answers! Demand transparency! Don’t let out-of-touch officials dismiss your concerns or trample on your rights. Attend meetings, share this article, and make your voices heard. Let’s show them that the only ‘mob mentality’ here is the County’s attempt to steamroll the community into accepting changes without clear explanation or proper public process.

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Unlike the sensationalized image of angry colonists dumping tea into the Boston Harbor, history shows the Sons of Liberty meticulously planned their protest. They ensured no property damage beyond the tea itself, and most importantly, no violence against the British soldiers or officials present. Their goal was a powerful display of defiance, not mindless destruction. The Boston Tea Party serves as a reminder that citizen protest can be impactful without resorting to the mob tactics often associated with such actions. It’s a powerful example of how collective action, when channeled effectively, can be a powerful tool for change.