Public Draft – April 17, 2017
Chapter 6
UTILITY ELEMENT
l. INTRODUCTION
The GMA requires the inclusion of a Utilities Element in local comprehensive plans. The Utilities
Element is intended to assure integration of the general location and capacity of existing and
proposed utility facilities with the goals and policies of the Land Use Element of the plan.
The Utilities Element has been developed in accordance with Section 36.70A.070 of the Growth
Management Act RCW 36.70A.070 and WAC 365-195-320 to address utility services in the
County. The Utilities Element is primarily intended to assure support coordination of land use
planning and infrastructure planning between the County, local jurisdictions, and utility
purveyors such as natural gas, electrical service, and telecommunications.
The Utilities Element has also been developed in accordance with the county-wide planning
policies and has been integrated with all other planning elements to ensure consistency
throughout the comprehensive plan. The Utilities Element specifically considers the general
location, proposed location, and capacity of all existing and proposed utilities.
It is intended for this plan to provide a brief description of the different public and private utility
purveyors that operate in Chelan County, and to encourage these individual purveyors to
consider the goals and policies of this comprehensive plan when contemplating capital
improvements to their systems. Because the County acts as a coordinator for population
growth and related development, this plan encourages these utility purveyors to maintain close
communication with the County in regard to the capacity of their systems and to coordinate and
review the development of each otherstheir plans. The goals and policies contained within this
Element shall also be recognized in the formation and use of development regulations for the
County.
II.
INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS
The inventory presented in this Element provides information useful to the planning process. It
does not include all of the data or information that was gathered, but has presented the
relevant information in an organized and useful format. The inventory includes:
Telecommunications, Electrical Service and Natural Gas. Additional data is listed in the
bibliography and can be obtained at the County. Many public and private agencies are involved
in regulating, coordination, production, delivery and supply of utility services. This section of
the Element identifies those providers and providesoffers information on the locations of where
the services are provided.
SERVICES
Telecommunication Services
Television Service:
Cable television is provided in various locations throughout the County by various service
providers.
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In the Chelan – Manson Study Area, there are currently three cable television purveyors,
Millennium Cable, Sun Cable, and T.V. Improvement District #1. These purveyors provide
service to portions of the study area. Cable television is available in the City of Chelan, North
and South Shore of Lake Chelan, Community of Manson, and Chelan Falls.
In the Entiat Valley Study Area, service is available in the City of Entiat and surrounding area
through Millennium Cable, and in Navarre Coulee through Sun Cable. In the remainder of the
Study Area, cable television service is not available.
Television service in the Malaga-Stemilt-Squilchuck Study Area is provided by Falcon Cable and
Sun County Cable. Falcon Cable is available in the Squilchuck corridor up to the Wenatchee
Heights turn-off only. They have indicated that they may extend service into Wenatchee
Heights, and farther up Squilchuck Road to the Forest Ridge Development. Sun County Cable
provides service in the Malaga area. At this time they have no plans to increase their service in
this area.
In the Lower and Upper Wenatchee River Valley Study Areas cable television service is provided
by Falcon Cable. Cable is available in many areas from the Sunnyslope area to the Icicle Canyon
area near Leavenworth. Service is also provided to portions of Fairview and Hay Canyons and
the Blewett Pass area.
There is no cable television service to the Plain/Lake Wenatchee a area. Provisions of service to
the area have been explored by at least one purveyor. In the Stehekin Valley, no cable service
presently exists or is contemplated in the planning horizon. In the areas not presently served by
a cable television provider, small dish satellite technology is utilized for television service.
Telephone/Cellular Phone
Local telephone service has been provided to the County by GTE Northwest since 1952. There
are various facilities located throughout the County and the cities within Chelan County.
According to GTE, the delivery of telecommunication services sometimes does not coincide with
the exact location of customers. Many of the telecommunication facilities, including overhead
and underground delivery lines, are co-located with those of the electrical power provider. In
the Stehekin Study Area, the National Park Service provides a satellite operated, coinless public
telephone at the Stehekin Landing.
Cellular telephone service has been provided in Chelan County since 1991. Both Air Touch
Cellular and Cellular One provide this service in the County. Facilities related to cellular
telephone service include low-powered transmitting antennas and a central computer called a
telephone switching office. The mobile nature of the service requires the installation of
transmitting antennas strategically placed to transmit the signal from the mobile unit to the
switching center.
Air Touch Cellular presently has cellular towers sited in the following locations in Chelan County:
1. Wenatchee Heights
5. Chelan Butte
2. Blagg Mountain – Leavenworth
6. Natapoc - Lake Wenatchee
3. Nason Creek Area
7. Cashmere
4. Stevens Pass – summit
8. Wenatchee
Air Touch Cellular also has a cellular tower located on Badger Mountain in Douglas County that
provides service to the north Wenatchee and Entiat areas.
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Additional cellular tower sites being considered by Air Touch Cellular include the Wenatchee
Urban area and the Blewett Pass area. The Blewett Pass area presently does not have coverage
by Air Touch Cellular.
Cellular One presently has cellular towers sited in the following locations in Chelan County:
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1. Stevens Pass – summit
2. Round Mountain – 11 miles east of Stevens Pass summit
3. Natapoc – Lake Wenatchee
4. Boundary Butte – Leavenworth
5. Diamond Head – Blewett Pass
6. Blewett Pass – summit
7. Cashmere – Stine Hill Rd.
8. Laurel – Wenatchee Valley
9. Chelan Butte
Cellular One also has two cellular tower sites on Badger Mountain located in Douglas County serving the
Wenatchee Valley.
Cellular One is anticipating additional sites in the following areas: Entiat, Monitor and within the City of
Wenatchee.
With the movement to digital technology from analog technology, cellular tower siting is required to be
located at lower elevation levels. The Wireless Telecommunications federal regulations have changed to
address small cell technology which can be placed on existing power poles to increase coverage for
cellular services and internet.
These advances in the telecommunications industry will continue to have tremendous advances in
technology. Both cellular and optical fiber technologies are transforming service delivery in Chelan
County. As the County grows and technological advances are made, telecommunication facilities will be
upgraded to ensure adequate service levels.
Natural Gas
Cascade Natural Gas currently provides service to approximately 2000 residential customers in Chelan
County. The major transmission line of the Northwest Pipeline Corporation owns and operates an
interstate natural gas pipeline system utility which comes from the southeastern portion of the County
near Alcoa. The line generally follows the alignment of the Colockum Road/Malaga-Alcoa Highway.
In the Malaga-Stemilt-Squilchuck Study Area natural gas is currently available along the transmission line
that runs near the Malaga-Alcoa Highway and within the old town-site of Malaga. No homes in the old
town-site are connected to the line, although; along the highway several homes are connected to the
line. Fire District #1 also has natural gas extended to their fire station on West Malaga Road.
Cascade Natural Gas also provides service 1,652 customers withinto the Wenatchee and
Sunnyslope/Olds Station areas with a 6 inch line that crosses the Wenatchee River at the railroad bridge.
A line located along Easy Street serves residential customers in the Sunnyslope area. The system was
updated in 1997 and a new line installed providing service up to the Tree Top plant located on Highway
97A. Future plans include extension of this line to eventually serve the Chelan and Entiat Area.
Extension of service into new areas is on a demand basis. Cascade Natural Gas will provide the
extension of the service and will enter into an agreement with the requesting party for reimbursement
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of the improvement. As additional customers connect to the extended line the initiating party is
reimbursed. Expansion of the natural gas system i.e., the location, capacity, and timing, will depend
greatly on opportunities for expansion and on how quickly the County grows. In addition, any route
taken to provide service will depend on right-of way permitting, environmental impact, and the
opportunities to install gas mains with new development, highway improvements or other utilities.
Liquid Petroleum GasPropane delivery is provided to a number of customers in the County by three
different suppliers: Empire Gas, Amerigas, Ag Supply and Wenatchee Petroleum. Growth of this fuel as
an alternative to electricity will depend on the ability of the PUD to provide low cost electrical service to
the Countyand the specific needs of the customers.
Electrical Utilities
All public electric power in the County is provided by the Chelan County Public Utility District #1 (PUD), a
special purpose public agency. The District is governed by an elected board of commissioners. The
District is a publicly owned municipal corporation of the State of Washington. The PUD, as a public
utility, is required to provide service to everyone in its service area. As of June 1999, the number of
active meters is 37,614 and this number is expected to reach approximately 67,000 in a 20 year time
period. The PUD is authorized to provide electric service to their owners at cost and without profit.
According to the PUD, there currently is capacity to meet existing demand for both the incorporated
areas of the County as well as the rural areas.
In 1998, the District hired the firm, Electrical Consultants, Inc. to conduct a long-range transmission
planning study. The scope of the study included system planning and major station facilities. The study
looked at contractual agreements and obligations, load forecasts and basic planning and design criteria.
Some of the anticipated problems the study identified are low transmission system voltages in the
Stevens Pass area, Chelan Union Valley area, and Sunnyslope area under certain operating conditions in
the future. In addition, it is anticipated that several transformers and line sections will be overloaded
with a projected annual load growth rate of 3.9%. This plan and subsequent updates are hereby
adopted by reference.
The Districts goal is to provide uninterrupted electrical service within their service area. To satisfy this
goal, the PUD has in place electrical sub-stations at the following locations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Wapato
Manson
Union Valley
Chelan
Chelan Falls
Switchyard
Winesap
Entiat
Entiat Valley
Rocky Reach
Switchyard
Rocky Reach
Chelan County
11. Malaga
12. Kawecki
(Malaga area)’
13. Valhalla
McKenzie
(Malaga area)
14. Alcoa
15. Squilchuck
16. Olds Station
17. Sunnyslope
18. Mission
(Cashmere
area)
19. Sunset
(Cashmere
area)
20. Peshastin/Dryd
en
21. Anderson
Canyon
Switchyard
(Peshastin)
2017 Comprehensive Plan
22. Leavenworth
23. Plain
24. Lake
Wenatchee
25. Winton Mill
26. Coles Corner
27. Berne (Stevens
Pass)
28. Summit
(Stevens Pass
Summit)
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As of August 1999, the following capital improvement projects are tentatively in the District’s 20 year
Long Range Plan:
1. Lake Crossing Substation – located in Manson to meet the projected load growth demand.
(Tentitive completion date 2012)
2. Boyd Switching Station – Located in the Chelan Boyd District area to meet the projected load
growth demand and also to mitigate the projected low transmission system voltage. (Tentative
construction date 2008)
3. South Shore Substation – Located on the Chelan Highway, near the Hawk’s Meadow area to
meet the projected load growth demand and minimize the projected low distribution system
voltage. (To be completed in 2007)
4. South Wenatchee Substation – Located along Crawford St. to meet projected load growth
demand. (To be completed as needed)
5. Castlerock Substation – Located at the western end of Castlerock St. in Wenatchee to meet the
projected load growth demand. (To be completed in 2007)
6. Monitor Switching Station – Located on Easy Street, approximately ½ mile east of Boswell’s
Furniture to meet the projected 10% load growth demand in the Sunnyslope area and also to
mitigate the projected low transmission system voltage. (To be completed in 2003)
7. Old Mill Substation – Located at the old Peshastin Mill site to meet the projected load growth
demand. (To be completed as needed)
8. Transmission Line Construction Projects – Short transmission lines to be built to serve all future
substations mentioned above.
These substations and switching stations will be built on existing PUD property or property acquired by
leasing or purchase. The capital cost and maintenance expense of establishing new substations will be
borne by the PUD.
The Stehekin Study Area has a hydroelectric plant which is augmented by three diesel generators. The
electric plant is located on Company Creek and only supplies the Stehekin Valley.
Normal base load is carried by the 200 kw hydro plant. When peak loads exceed the capacity of the
hydro unit, an auto start relay starts a diesel driven 75 kw induction generator. The system is not on the
Northwest Power Grid; it is a totally independent system.
The Stehekin power system has two synchronous diesel generators in addition to the one induction unit.
There is a total capacity of 775kw with the hydroelectric and generators combined. In the winter when
temperatures drop toward zero, the stream flow in Company Creek also drops and the hydro intake
begins to ice up. When this condition occurs, the output of the hydro declines and is eventually taken
out of service. This condition usually occurs every winter, with the duration of the outages varying. The
National Park Service maintains an emergency backup system for federally owned facilities at Stehekin
Landing.
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lll. GOALS AND POLICIES
GOAL UE1: Enhance the efficiency and quality of service from utility providers through the
coordination of utility, land use, and transportation planning.
Policy UE 1.1: Encourage effective and timely coordination of all public and private utility trenching
activities.
Rationale: Coordination of utility trenching activities will allow less costly and less frequent
right-of-way repairs and fewer inconveniences to the public.
Policy UE 1.2: Encourage system design practices intended to minimize the number and duration of
interruptions to customer service.
Rationale: Minimizing interruptions is beneficial to the public.
Policy UE 1.3: Promote the consolidation of utility facilities where feasible.
Rationale: Appropriate consolidation will reduce the overall costs and inconveniences to the
public. Examples of facilities that could be shared are: towers, poles, antennas, substation sites,
trenches, and easements.
Policy UE 1.4: Chelan Coordinate County and local jurisdiction’s should coordinate their roadway
projects with planned utility expansions, improvements or extensions where shared sites or right-ofways may be appropriate. Chelan County shall Similarly, encourage utility purveyors to coordinate their
utility expansions, extensions or improvements where shared sites or right-of-ways may be appropriate.
Rationale: Coordination will allow consideration for the appropriate locations of utilities and
timing of utility installations.
Policy UE 1.5: When a proposed development requires utility extensions across State or Federal lands,
the County shall require assurance that adequate right of ways or easements are provided at the time of
development
Rationale: Assurance of adequate right of way or easements helps to ensure that necessary
services for development are provided.
Policy UE 1.6: Development regulations shall provide for adequate utility right of ways or easements
concurrent with development.
Rationale: Assurance of adequate right of way or easements helps to ensure that necessary
services for development are provided.
Policy UE 1.7: Where practical, the County will provide timely notice to utilities to encourage the
coordination of public and private utility trenching activities during new construction and maintenance
and repair of existing roads.
GOAL UE 2: Provide utilities in a manner which maintains the visual qualities of the County.
Policy UE 2.1: Require the under grounding of all new and existing electrical distribution and
communication lines for development, where reasonably feasible.
Rationale: Utilities placed underground help protect the safety of the citizens, may reduce
maintenance costs, and maintain a less cluttered environment.
Policy UE 2.2: Encourage the under grounding of all existing electrical distribution and communication
lines where reasonably feasible.
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Rationale: Utilities placed underground help protect the safety of the citizens, may reduce
maintenance costs, and maintain a less cluttered environment.
Policy UE 2.3: Require the placement of cellular communication facilities in a manner which minimizes
adverse impacts to surrounding land uses.
Rationale: Compatibility with adjacent land uses shall be considered when reviewing such
facilities.
Policy UE 2.4: The County will ensureEnsure that all maintenance, repair, installation, and replacement
activities for utility facilities are consistent with the County’s critical area regulations.
Rationale: Where placement of utility facilities within critical areas is necessary, development
shall be consistent with the requirements of the County’s critical area regulations.
Policy UE 2.5: Development regulations shall provide for adequate buffering and screening of utility
facilities where such facilities may have a negative visual impact on surrounding land uses or where
public access to such facilities should be limited for safety concerns.
GOAL UE 3: Ensure that adequate public utilities are provided to meet the projected and desired land
use patterns within the County.
Policy UE 3.1: Encourage energy conservation and the use of cost effective alternative energy sources
such as solar and wind power.
Rationale: Energy conservation is essential as the County accommodates more people. The
utilization of other energy sources should be explored and implemented where feasible.
Policy UE 3.2: Encourage the use of energy conservation design strategies in new construction and
rehabilitation of residential, commercial, industrial and public facility structures.
Rationale: As the County develops, the demand for energy will grow. Conservation is vital to
continue serving the County and maintain productive and livable lifestyles.
Policy UE 3.3: The extension of utilities should be sized to meet anticipated growth of the County.
Rationale: Utilities should consider the anticipated growth of the County to assure that new
facilities do not become obsolete .
Policy UE 3.4: Development regulations should be flexible and receptive to innovations and advances in
utility technology.
Rationale: As the utility industry advances in technology it is important for local permitting
agencies to keep their standards and permitting requirements current and applicable.
Policy UE 3.5: Stehekin Area: Encourage the continued use and maintenance of hydroelectric facilities
and the enhancement of hydroelectric power capabilities through system efficiency and the protection
of facilities from erosion and flooding.
Policy UE 3.6: Stehekin Area: Decrease future reliance upon diesel powered electricity by encouraging
the use of alternative energy sources.
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