CHELAN COUNTY IS ON THE VERGE OF PASSING REGULATIONS THAT WOULD FORCE MOST VACATION RENTALS TO CLOSE, KILL HUNDREDS OF LOCAL JOBS AND LIMIT THE NUMBER OF GUESTS AT THE LEAVENWORTH LODGE TO 12 PEOPLE.
Please help by sending an email
A Little History…
In the early 1960s, the City of Leavenworth was dying. The timber industry was failing as a result of the railroad rerouting. Like Pixar’s Radiator Springs, it was destined to be a ghost town. Thankfully, wise and innovative city planners had a vision: invite the world to a picturesque Bavarian village nestled in the Alp-like mountains. Their vision became a reality and today, Leavenworth boasts over 1 million yearly visitors and a robust economy centered around tourism.
Today, a small group of vocal residents are working to reverse this legacy of hospitality. It appears they have convinced the county commissioners to limit the number of guests to 12 people. This eliminates the possibility of family reunions, church retreats, and business retreats in Chelan County. You would be forced to stay in a corporate hotel. Would you even come?
Limiting capacity is not their only ambition. The regulations will force most vacation rentals out of business. Less competition for hotels will drive up their rates, making a Leavenworth vacation unaffordable for many families. The number of visitors to Leavenworth will diminish, ultimately crushing the local economy and small family businesses that rely on tourism. Please help us take action to save The Leavenworth Lodge as well as so many others. Findings from a current economic impact study can be found here.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. SEND AN EMAIL TO THE CHELAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Make it short and sweet. State how much total money your group spent in Chelan County AND that you will not be back to Chelan County without the option of a vacation rental. (IE: We are the Smith Family. We stayed in a vacation rental in Chelan County last January and we spent $9000 in lodging, activities, restaurants and shopping. We will not be back if a corporate hotel is the only option.)
Here are some other things you could mention:
Mention that you are a family, business, church or other group and you will not visit Leavenworth without the option of a large vacation rental (only if this is true, of course 😊)
Remember how I went through the house rules with your group to make sure you were a good fit for our neighborhood? Mentioning this will help the commissioners understand that we are a lodge that respects our community and the county codes. Also, let them know that you did not “party” and disturb the neighbors.
I’m sure you frequented local restaurants, shops and activities during your stay. Highlight the revenue you brought to the small businesses in Leavenworth.
Tell heart-felt stories about your gathering that could only have happened by cooking, eating and playing together under one roof.
We agree there are vacation rental owners that are poor managers. They are almost exclusively absentee owners and they should be held accountable. Solutions to this problem include requiring a local manager and enforcing the noise, parking and garbage codes with strict penalties. These codes have not been enforced by the county. Good managers should not be punished for failures of others.
2. SPEAK AT THE MEETING. SIGN UP HERE
Most likely, there will not be time for you to speak. But signing your name shows the county how many of us wish to be heard - strength in numbers!
3. FORWARD THIS WEB PAGE to everyone in your group. Every letter makes a significant difference!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!
