Section III - INVENTORY and ANALYSIS

History of Cashmere
The Wenatchee River valley was originally home to the Wenatchee Indian tribe. In the 1850's about 400 members of the Simpesquensi band of the Wenatchee tribe maintained a winter village of Ntuatckam near the present city of Cashmere. In 1855, the Walla Walla treaty moved the Simpesquensis to the Yakima Reservation.

Cashmere's development began in 1888 when a mission was built under the direction of Father de Roughe to serve the areas remaining Indians and early settlers. Eventually a small community was established around the old mission". The current location for the City of Cashmere was platted in 1892. Incorporation of the community as A Mission" occurred in 1904. In 1906, Judge James H. Chase convinced the town to change its name to Cashmere.

The first permanent settler was A. B. Brender. In 1881 he filed a claim in Brender Canyon. He raised vegetables for Blewett mines and later planted Cashmere's first pear trees. Significant orchard production did not occur until 1901 when the Peshastin ditch was completed supplying irrigation water to the lower Wenatchee River valley. By 1903, the apple crop was large enough to ship fruit in rail car lots. In 1902 the Schmitten Lumber mill operated at the lower end of Brender Canyon and moved to the Sunset Highway location in 1918.

Cashmere benefited when the Great Northern Railroad constructed its line crossing Stevens Pass in 1892. This rail line provided employment and a means of transportation to get local produce to markets. The rail line also greatly influenced the town's pattern of development as fruit warehouses built adjacent to rail sidings and riverbanks were altered to construct rail embankments.

Physical Description
Located in the lower Wenatchee River valley on the east slope of the Cascade Mountains, Cashmere is bounded by the river and steep hillsides. Elevation of the city is between 800 and 1,000 feet above sea level. Ridges along the north side of the valley rise to over 2,000 feet M.S.L. before ascending higher into the Entiat Mountains. South of Cashmere ridges rise again to over 2,000 feet above sea level and are connected with the Wenatchee Mountains and Mission Ridge.

Native vegetation of the valley is typical of dry climate zones consisting mainly of grasses and shrubs. Pine forests are dominant vegetation in higher elevations, and north slopes of the ridges. Climate conditions vary from normal summer highs in the 800's to 900's and winters low temperatures are usually in the 300's and 200's.

Geologic formation of the valley is typical of glacial and river actions working on consolidated sedimentary formations (Chumstick) soils are shallow with layers of unconsolidated river rock deposited either by glaciers or by flooding. Cashmere is primarily a residential community with a large percentage of the population commuting to Wenatchee for employment. The relatively low amount of commercial and industrial property means few local opportunities for employment.

Cashmere is predominantly a residential community as demonstrated by figure 1. With residential property totaling over 68% of the total assessed value within city limits. The Manufacturing value represents the few industrial properties in Cashmere including TreeTop Inc. (fruit juice processing), Bethlehem Construction (pre-cast concrete plant) and fruit packing/storage plants owned by Blue Star Growers and Cashmere Fruit Exchange. Commercial properties include Liberty Orchards (confection kitchens) the downtown business district and the East Cashmere area businesses, and several small businesses at various locations within the city.

Population Projections
The Washington State Office of Financial Management prepares population projections for each county. The County must allocated the projected population to rural and urban growth areas

Chelan County's 1995 Lower Wenatchee River Valley Comprehensive Plan prepared estimates for the rate of population growth in the Lower Wenatchee valley - including Cashmere. Population growth is used to estimate the potential demand for new housing. The County's estimated annual rate of countywide population increase from 1990 to 2000 ranged from a low of 1.4% to a high of 2.1% per year. From the year 2000 until 2010 the projections were for an increase of between a.2% and 1.4% per year.
However, Cashmere's historical rate of population growth in the last 58 years (since 1940) has averaged 1.04 % per year. The city's growth since 1990 is estimated at 136 people for an eight-year average of 0.65% per year. One reason for the recent low growth was the lack of water rights to produce more domestic water. This issue was resolved in early 1998 when Washington State Department of Ecology finally approved a transfer of water rights from Blue Star Growers to the City. With additional water rights the City will now be capable of producing water to serve an estimated 3,200 people, or a population growth of 520 people above the 1998 population of 2680.

Figure 2. Historic data from City records. For projection calculations see Appendix D.

Three projections for Cashmere's population growth until year 2020 (figure 2) are based on State - County Population projections (Max Build), long term trend (Expected) and short term trend (Low). Appendix D contains additional calculations for the Max. Build Alternative. For planning purposes a low growth rate of :% was selected to reflect the recent trend (during the 90's). This low growth rate could result in a population in year 2020 of about 3,100 people. Using the historical trend of 1.04 % per year for a probable growth rate, the city's population could grow to about 3,360 people by 2020.
The greatest increase in growth occurs under a full build-out of all available building lots in the city and urban growth area by the year 2020 ( 2.14% per year growth rate). Considering that public opinion strongly favors a rural and low-density development the full build out alternative is viewed as very unlikely to occur. A maximum build out rate would result in a population of over 4,100 people and could result in a water shortage by the year 2010 (demand exceeds water rights). The population within the city has historically increased at a slower rate than has Chelan County's or the State's population growth.
 

Table 1 -- Historical Population Trend
 

Table 1 compares Cashmere's expected average growth rate of 1.06% per year to both Chelan County and Washington State. Table 2 compares the city's population projections to the year 2020 with the county and state.

Table 2 -- Population Projection to 2020

Figure 3 Source U.S. Census

The 1995 Chelan County Lower Wenatchee River Valley Comprehensive Land Use Plan used an average of 2.41 people per house (figure 3) to estimate the total number of new houses needed
for the future population. By applying this method of calculation to Cashmere's expected population of 3364 then by the year 2020, with an estimated 684 additional people, about 283 dwellings will be needed (includes existing dwellings within the urban growth area).

Population growth will also have an impact on the number of students enrolled in Cashmere School District. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the 1990 census age distribution that can be compared to actual school enrollment and thus be useful in estimating future school enrollment.

Figure 4. Source: U.S. Census
 

Figure 5 Source Cashmere School District

Another method of calculating the future potential population is to examine existing land uses and the availability of land for future development. Figure 6 compares data from the city zoning map to actual uses of land and the lack of vacant property for development.


Housing Element
One of the growth management goals is to promote a variety of housing so that everyone in the community can find something that is affordable. However, housing is a market driven commodity that relies on the supply of land, availability of existing housing and desirability of a neighborhood to influence housing prices. When market conditions result in high prices for housing there is incentive for builders to produce new housing or to remodel older housing to meet that demand. Until the supply meets demand the prices for housing tend to force lower income families out of the market and towards rentals and subsidized housing. Thus, to promote affordable housing the market needs to be closely monitored to assure that adequate land for new housing is available but without resulting in a growth in population that would exceed Cashmere's ability to provide governmental services.

Satisfying the need for housing is a regional issue as housing markets and demands are strongly influenced by the Wenatchee area economics and market conditions. Chelan County, through its Lower Wenatchee River Valley Comprehensive Plan, has established housing goals and policies based upon a county-wide/regional need. Cashmere's housing element will be consistent with the County's plan, adding goals and policies that address specific local needs.

Future Housing Needs Analysis
Based upon the population projections shown above on figure 2, page 31, the expected growth rate for Cashmere will average about 1.4% per year. In recent years Cashmere has experienced a shortage of vacant property for new development and thus a shortage of housing. This shortage is in part do to the lack of water rights to provide water to new customers. Additionally, many of the houses in Cashmere are older, of small size, and on small lots, resulting in high costs for redevelopment of the existing areas.
The principle need in housing is to create new lots available for construction. Providing new building lots will have a direct and indirect effect on housing prices and the availability of housing in all economic levels.
 

Affordable Housing
The Growth Management Act stipulates that each jurisdiction establish a definition of affordable housing. Cashmere adopts a definition that is based upon financial qualifications for obtaining a home mortgage. Affordable housing is that which the person/family pays no more than thirty percent (30%) of their annual income for housing costs (mortgage or rent, taxes). Growth Management planning requires that affordable housing be available for all income levels. Figure 7 shows the family income for Cashmere according to the 1990 Census. In 1990 the mean annual family income was $26,500. Adjusted to 1998 values the mean annual family income for Cashmere should be between $31,000 and $ 32,000. Thus, to provide affordable housing to low and moderate income families prices for houses should be less than $93,000 (three times annual mean income).


Figure 7. Source U.S. Census

Current census estimates for income are not adequate to accurately describe the Cashmere economy. Therefore, since Cashmere is one segment of the regional economic conditions it is possible to reference and incorporate the regional discussion regarding affordable housing from the Lower Wenatchee River Valley Comprehensive Land Use Plan, 1995 .

Housing Inventory
Based on the annual population estimates made by the City of Cashmere the total number of dwelling units within the city as of March 1998 is 1,121. Single-family residences provide over 73% of the total supply (figure 6), multi-family structures offer 21% of the housing and
mobile homes provide 6%. Almost one-half of all dwellings were constructed prior to 1950 (figure 8).
 

Figure 8 - Source U.S. Census and City Records total 1121 Houses (July 1998).


Although 60% of the city is zoned for residential use (figure 6, page 28) only 48% of the land is actually developed as residential. Less than 2% of the total land base is vacant, most of the vacant land is located in warehouse and commercial areas. Figure 9 shows the housing supply as mostly single-family (73%). Manufactured housing has been increasing in numbers particularly in the urban growth area. A continuation in the growth of manufactured housing is expected to follow state and national trends as a function of conventional construction costs.

Housing Needs
At present market conditions there is a demand for housing at all economic levels. The aging inventory of homes and the lack of building lots has resulted in a shortage of homes, and has raised the price on existing homes. When the City obtained approval to obtain water rights, transferred from Blue Star Growers, the ability to serve new annexations will result in some new lots for construction. If an adequate number of new lots can be established then a short-term easing of the property shortage should help in providing housing opportunities at all economic levels.

Capital Facilities Element
Purpose: To inventory capital facilities (buildings, roads, utilities, parks) showing locations and capacities; assist the city in forecasting future facility needs, proposed location(s); and to prepare a six-year capital facility financing plan.

Capital facilities are the durable goods portion of governmental service. They have a long term useable life and can cost considerable amounts of tax dollars to purchase or construct. The process of obtaining capital facilities can require years of design, public involvement, budgeting and construction. Once constructed, capital facilities tend to become permanent, requiring an on going operations/maintenance cost.

As a result of the high cost for capital facilities, it is important for the government to prioritize and plan capital facilities as far ahead as possible. Yet, a community needs an ability to fund projects will continue to change. Lack of funding often resulting in some worthwhile projects being delayed as more urgent problems are addressed. This element of the comprehensive land use plan was prepared to comply with The Growth Management Act. The Act stipulates that the City must estimate what new or improved capital facilities will be needed for the next twenty years to support the probable growth in population.
Planning future capital facilities involves estimating the future needs for a variety of facilities and services. Each year as part of the city's budgeting process the capital facilities projections should be revised to recognize new needs or revised plans/costs. An annual review will assist in updating the highest priority projects.

Inventory of Existing General Government Capital Facilities
General government facilities include city hall, city parks, cemeteries, and services for sanitation, fire protection and law enforcement.

Law Enforcement
The City of Cashmere does not provide or maintain any capital facilities for law enforcement. The City obtains these facilities by contracting with Chelan County for the services of the Sheriff's Department, Jails, Courts, and Prosecuting Attorneys.

Fire Protection
Fire protection for a volunteers who staff the fire department provide the City. Additionally the City contracts with Chelan County Fire Protection District Number 6 to provide services in the rural areas around the city, including all of the urban growth area. The fire department stationed on Woodring Street and consists of the fire station trucks and equipment. Services include fire fighting and emergency aid response. New capital facilities (buildings) are not proposed to meet future growth in population.

Library
Located on Woodring Street and Elberta Street the Library is part of the North Central Washington Regional Library System. As a regional library materials are available from other branches and by mail. There are no plans for new library capital facilities in Cashmere.

Solid Waste
Cashmere provides solid waste pick up and recycling services within the City. A private company Waste Management of Greater Wenatchee, Inc. provides subscriber service outside the city limits. Cashmere disposes its refuge at the regional transfer station. The City also provides a recycling program offering curbside collection of recyclable materials and cooperates with Cashmere Middle School in a joint collection facility.

Cashmere participates with Chelan County and regional solid waste planning committees and does not plan any separate capital facilities for solid waste disposal.

Table 3 - City of Cashmere General Government Facilities - See Map Page 72
  
   

 
Table 4 --Capital Facilities - Other Governmental Agencies
Vale Elementary Cashmere School Dist. 222
Cashmere Middle School Cashmere School Dist. 222
Cashmere High School Cashmere School Dist. 222
Administration Bldg. Cashmere School Dist. 222
Bus Garage Facility Cashmere School Dist. 222
Chelan County Fairgrounds Chelan County Managed by Chelan County Fair Board
Cashmere Airport Chelan County
Chelan County Museum. Chelan County Managed by Chelan County Historical Society Portion of land owned by City , buildings and land by County
County Road Shop Chelan County

Inventory of Water System
The City of Cashmere adopted, in 1993, a Comprehensive Water System Plan establishing policies, standards, inventory, projected water needs and recommendations for operations and conservation of water resources. At the time of adoption the City's accumulative water rights had been limited to an annual total use of 800-acre feet (260,680,500 gallons). However, the City was using an estimated 950 acre-feet per year (309,558,000 gallons) which exceeded the water rights annual limit. A moratorium was place on new water hookups until additional water rights could be secured.
In 1998, the City finally obtained approvals from Washington State Department of Ecology transferring water rights from Blue Star Growers over to the City. These additional water rights equaling 352-acre feet of water increased the City's total annual water allocation to 1152-acre feet (375,380,000 gallons).
Table 5 --Inventory of Existing Water System Facilities - See Maps page 73
Facility Water Source Capacity (GPM) Notes
Slow Sand Filter Water Treatment Plant Wenatchee River 2,400 < Instantaneous water rights for 2,356 g.p.m.. and 1,152 acre feet of water per year< Plant production can exceed 2,000-acre feet of water per year, present water right limits the plant to 1,152-acre feet of water per year.
Well #4 65 feet depth 200 sustained250 peak back up supply
Well # 10 65 feet depth 100 back up supply
Well # 7 200 backup supply
Sherman Reservoir 1,000,000 gallons
Kennedy Reservoir 2,000,000 gallons

Forecast of Future Water System Facilities Needs
The 1993 Comprehensive Water System Plan proposed a capital facility plan in which most of the projects involved upgrading existing system main lines to improve service. New water service lines were proposed to service the urban growth area south of Cashmere to Binder Road, and along Sunset Highway to Larson Lane/Goodwin Road. A breakdown on how much water is used by land use is displayed in figure 10.


The projection for future water needs based upon the 1993 report and updated based on actual consumption over a two year period (fall 96 to fall 98) is displayed in Figure 11. When the State approved the transfer of water rights from Blue Star to the City the total water rights will allow the city to withdraw 1152-acre feet of water per year from the Wenatchee River. Present, (1997 - 1998) average consumption is 899-acre feet, leaving 253-acre feet reserved for future growth.
Figure 10 - Source City records 1996-1998

How the water reserve will be allocated to future customers will be somewhat dependent upon how fast the population grows and when industry and commercial customers propose additional needs. Thus, the city council will periodically need to evaluate the reserve and adjust the amounts designated for residential, commercial, and industrial use.

Estimating the ability to serve future customers was accomplished by examining the existing consumption records for residential customers. Figure 11 shows the average water use for all single-family customers over the past two years. As the majority of future water demands will be from new residential customers it is important to estimate how many families could be served from available resources. Winter months water use in figure 11 have been averaged to account for snow covered water-meters which are not read until spring. The high water demand during the summer is attributed to landscape irrigation. Many property owners within the city do not have access to irrigation water from the water districts and thus use city water for landscape irrigation. Figure 12 estimates the proportions of city water used for domestic and irrigation purposes.

In the urban growth area most property owners obtain water from two sources, ground water for domestic uses and from water districts for irrigation. In planning for future growth it is assumed that all property that presently has irrigation district water rights will continue to use that source for landscape irrigation. Additionally, most existing residents have expressed intent to continue using their ground water supply. Therefore, with other sources of water available in the urban growth areas the average amount of water used by future customers will be less than the average water used by city residents.
Figure 11 - Seasonal water consumption. Source City records.
Figure 12, shows a two-year water demand cycle averaged it was estimated that a seasonal low in domestic water consumption is about 5,000,000 gallons. The seasonal high demand would at most double to 10,000,000 gallons. Thus, by assumption, the water volume above !0,000,000 is attributed to residential landscape irrigation. The average annual water use is 10,370,800 gallons per month.

Using the assumption of domestic and irrigation volumes displayed by figure 12 and the total water distribution shown in figure 10 two alternatives for future water allocation were established. Alternative A allocates all of the water reserve for population growth. Alternative B saves 75-acre feet of water (20,350,000 gallons) to allow existing or new industrial and commercial customers to increase demand use by 25%. Figure 13 demonstrates the results of these alternative with respect to the three projected population growth rates identified in the population discussion page 24-25, Figure 2.


Alternative A allows Cashmere to provide water for the projected population growth in each of the low, medium and high scenarios. Alternative B would mean the high population growth rate would exceed available water by about 2013, (both alternatives assume that new customers would retain irrigation water rights from the irrigation districts). Cashmere has the water rights allocations to provide water to all customers until the population reaches 3,200 people. After that time additional water rights will be needed if the city is to continue serving all customers and retain an economically viable commercial and industrial base.
The City's slow sand filter water treatment plant has ample capacity to provide up to 3.456 million gallons of water per day. This exceeds existing water rights as well as the projected demand through the year 2020.


Inventory of Wastewater System
In 1995, Cashmere City Council adopted the Comprehensive Sewer Plan, which documented in detail the existing wastewater system. The plan also identifies City wastewater system policies, service standards, system deficiencies, and projected growth in sewage treatment.
Flow of sewage received at Cashmere's treatment plant averages 293,200 gallons per day from the city and 286,900 gallons per day from the pretreatment plant (located between Tree Top, Inc. and Bethlehem Construction). The main treatment plant is licensed as a Class 2 aerated wastewater stabilization pond plant. The plants average daily hydraulic capacity is 820,000 gallons. Wastewater from Tree Top, Inc. is pre-treated through a bulk volume fermenter (BVF) plant which has a capacity of 500,000 gallons per day and removes 85% to 95% of the solid waste before the wastewater is sent to the lagoon treatment plant.
Table 6 --Wastewater System Projected Utilization - See Maps Page 74
Land Use Existing (1995) J.P. 1995 Projection to year 2012 J.P. Current Projection to Year 2017 J.P.
Single-family 134,000 258,000 349,000
Multi-family 29,000 77,000 77,000
Commercial 122,000 192,000 292,000
Industrial 18,000 46,000 46,000
Subtotal 303,000 573,000 764,000
From BVF pretreatment 287,000 500,000 620,000
Total received at Lagoon Treatment Plant 590,000 1,073,000 1,384,000

The collection system capacity varies depending on location and size of existing lines, slope and need for lift stations pumping capacity. The map on page 45 shows the location of Cashmere's sewer system and identifies maximum line capacities.

It is estimated that an average single-family residence generates a wastewater flow of 173 gallons per day with a peak flow of 314 gallons per day. The average for multi-family residential wastewater flow is 160 gallons per day with peak flows of about 251 gallons per day. Commercial and industrial customers (excluding TreeTop, Inc.) contribute a total of 121,500 gallons per day.
Forecast of Future Wastewater Facility Needs
The 1995 plan forecasted increased sewage flow and treatment needs based upon a proposed urban growth boundary that ended at Evergreen Drive. In 1997 Chelan County amended the urban growth boundary to include approximately 96 additional acres of land west of Evergreen Drive out to the Chelan County fairgrounds. A new projection developed for the West Cashmere Sewer Collection System Planning Report, 1998 is the basis for figure 14, total sewage treatment needs until the year 2020.
Figure 14. Wastewater flow calculations from the West Cashmere Sewer Collection System Planning Report, 1998.
Inventory of Electrical System
In 1995, Cashmere's City Council adopted a Comprehensive Electrical Power System Plan for its Light Department. This plan documents the City's history as an electrical power provider and establishes policies, future service projections, and inventory of facilities, proposed capital improvements and operating standards.
Cashmere's Light Department purchases power from Chelan County Public Utility District (P.U.D.). The P.U.D. delivers high voltage power to three city-owned substations where the voltage is stepped down for local distribution. Table 7 identifies each substation and its rated and peak demand capacities. Figure 15 displays the electricity used by activity.


Table 7 Electrical Sub-Stations - See Maps page 75
Facility Rating Peak Demand Capacity
Simmer Substation 9.375 MVA 9300 kW
Blue Star Substation 6.250 MVA 6200 kW
Jarvis Substation 9.375 MVA 9300 kW


Forecast of Future Electrical Facility Needs
Electrical service area boundaries were set prior to the creation of Chelan County Public Utility District. A service contract with the utility district fixes the service boundaries in their present location. Changes to those boundaries are not being considered. Projections for future electrical power demands were made in the City's 1995 Electrical Power System Plan. These projections, figure 16, are based upon the historical trends and a fixed service area boundary. The existing electrical system has the capacity to meet expected increased demands.







Purpose: To reference existing private and public utilities (non-city owned) and link those utilities to this land use plan as appropriate for consistency and concurrency.

Utilities Element
This element incorporates into the land use planning process those utilities that may become impacted by new development and population growth. These utilities listed in Table 8, include telephone, cable TV, and irrigation water, and refuse disposal, electricity and private water systems.

Table 8 Inventory of Existing Utilities (non-city owned)
Utility Provider Area Served
Natural Gas No distribution or transmission lines exist in the planning area None
Telephone GTE Entire planning area
Cable TV Falcon/TCI Cablevision Entire planning area
Solid Waste Waste Management Areas outside of city limits
Electricity Chelan County Public Utility District Areas outside of city limits and a portion of the city
Community water Systems 2 Class A systems14 Class B systems (2-14 homes) County fairground and West Cashmere subdivisionVarious locations
Irrigation Water Peshastin Irrigation DistrictIcicle Irrigation District

Analysis of Utility Systems
Telephone
GTE has a switching facility located in Cashmere. The ability to offer hard wire service to new customers is dependent upon the number of wire pairs available in any particular service line. GTE is upgrading their switching facilities and cable as demand for service increases. Cellular telephone service is available through a number of providers, the exact area of coverage is dependent upon locations of transmitters.

Cable TV
Falcon/TCI Partnership has a franchise agreement with Cashmere to provide service within city limits. This agreement is non-exclusive and expires in 2009. All areas within the city and the urban growth area are able to access cable service.
Solid Waste
Waste Management of Greater Wenatchee, Inc. provides refuse pickup services to subscribers outside city limits. Chelan County does not require refuse pickup and residents may elect to haul their refuse to the County's transfer station near Peshastin. State regulations stipulate that if an area that is serviced by a private refuse service is annexed, then that private provider will continue to serve those neighborhoods for nine years after annexation.
Electricity
Chelan County Public Utility District (P.U.D.) provides electrical power to the entire urban growth area. The P.U.D. completed a Long-Range Transmission Planning Study to identify future facility needs. This planning study will be updated every five years.
Community Water Systems
Within the urban growth are a number of shared wells or community water systems. Class A systems serving more than 14 homes (or large populations) include the West Cashmere subdivision and Chelan County's fairgrounds. Class B systems serve from 2 to 14 homes and are in various locations in the planning area.
Irrigation Districts
Irrigation water is provided only to those properties that have Awater shares" from the respective irrigation provider. The areas serviced include most of the urban growth area and a few neighborhoods within the city.


Purpose: To reference the city's transportation plan and link future needs for streets to this land use plan as appropriate for consistency and concurrency.
Transportation Element
The City of Cashmere has prepared a comprehensive transportation plan to address city transportation needs. This plan includes standards for road construction, storm water drainage, and sidewalks. The Growth Management Act requires that the transportation plan must be consistent with all other elements and specifically the land use element of this plan. Land development and transportation system improvements have a cause and effect relationship. Improvements to streets and highways can result in increased land development, and land development can result in traffic problems such as restricted movement of vehicles, higher costs for road improvements and higher risk for accidents. By considering the potential for future growth in and around the community the City can prioritize street construction or improvement projects in an attempt to avoid the adverse side effects that result from more traffic. Likewise, if a significant transportation problem is identified then growth (residential, commercial, and or industrial) can be reassessed and actions taken to prevent problems.
Inventory of Existing Transportation Facilities
Cashmere owns and maintains 13.5 miles of road and 2.3 miles of alleyways. Washington State Department of Transportation is responsible for Highway 2/97 and coordinates with the city at intersections with city streets. Chelan County owns and maintains the roads within the urban growth boundary. Table nine lists Cashmere's major streets and traffic volumes.
Table 9 Arterial Road Inventory (Ave. Daily Traffic Counts) See maps page 76
Major Secondary Collector
Cotlets Way 7,468 Mission Cr. Rd. 2,268 Woodring St. 1,257
Aplets Way 3,337 Railroad Ave. 2,260 Maple St. 1,716
Cottage Ave. 6,286 Paton St. 1,246
Division St. 4,147 Blue Star Way 861
Pioneer St. 4,313 Olive St. 1,245
Sunset Hwy. 3,979 Tigner Rd. 1,113
Titchenal Way 3,642

Public Transportation
LINK - Currently provides commuter transit service in a loop route between Wenatchee and Leavenworth with stops in Cashmere. Facilities are limited to passenger shelters at the Chelan County Museum, downtown on Cottage Avenue, and on Pioneer Avenue near the Cashmere Convalescent Center, there are a total of sixteen signed bus stops. A link bus completes the loop about twenty times each day.
Cashmere-Dryden Municipal Airport
Although located outside of the urban growth area, aircraft approaching the airport fly over portions of the city and on final approach fly directly over sports fields and parking lots at Cashmere Middle School and Cashmere High School. Therefore, it will be necessary to consider flight safety issues should any future development be proposed directly under the landing-takeoff route.
Level of Service Standards - See Also Map
Arterial Streets (Major, Secondary and Collector)
Arterial streets shall be provided where necessary to facilitate traffic flow (average daily counts) which is greater than 1,000 vehicle trips per day, or where significant truck traffic necessitates a higher standard to provide a greater turning radius and safety. Arterial streets are generally used to access other roads and areas. Arterial streets will need to provide parking, bus stops, separation of pedestrians from traffic and a method of controlling storm water runoff.
Minimum arterial standards are:
Minimum right-of-way width shall be 60 feet, additional right-of-way may be required for side slopes, drainage, public transportation turnouts, trees or bicycle lanes.
Building shall be set back a minimum of 55 feet from the centerline of the right-of-way. Except in the downtown business district where existing structures shall be allowed to be remodeled or replaced to match the street set back of adjacent buildings.
Curve radius shall be at least 715 feet with allowances for smaller radius to meet topography. PROVIDED that the radius shall not be less than 425 feet.
Slope/grade shall be as flat as possible to provide line of sight for traffic.
Road pavement widths shall be a minimum of 12 feet per traveled lane.
Paved shoulders at least six feet wide shall be provided on both sides of the road in low density and rural areas.
Curbs and gutters will be required in high-density residential, commercial and industrial areas, and where necessary to control storm water runoff.
Sidewalks or approved pedestrian paths at least five feet wide will be required along both sides of the street in high-density residential areas. Sidewalks shall be ten feet wide in commercial and industrial areas. Handicap access ramps shall be included into all pedestrian street crossings. Sidewalks are not required in rural areas or low-density areas provided that paved shoulders are adequate to safely allow pedestrian use.
Parking lanes at least eight feet wide shall be provided along both sides of the street.
Bike lanes when provided shall be at least five feet wide.
A bike lane and/or a landscape strip totaling at least eight feet in width may be provided in lieu of one parking lane, when approved by the City Administrator.
Bus stops shall be coordinated with the Regional Transportation Board a.k.a. LINK. Designation of bus stops will consider traffic and pedestrian safety.
Local Access Streets - high-density areas.
Streets accessing high density residential and multi-family residential areas, access at least 16 dwelling units or building lots, or commercial and industrial areas where traffic is less than 1,000 vehicles per day (average daily traffic count).
Minimum standards shall be:
Right-of-way width shall be a minimum of 50 feet. Additional right-of-way may be required for side slopes, drainage, sidewalks, trees or bicycle lanes.
All structures shall be set back at least 55 feet from the centerline of the right-of-way.
Traffic lanes shall be at least 11 feet wide.
Parking lanes at least eight feet wide shall be provided along both side of the street
Curbs and gutters will be required to control storm water runoff.
Sidewalks at least five feet wide will be required along both sides of the street.
A landscape strip at least eight feet in width may be provided in lieu of a parking strip or sidewalk when approved by the City Administrator.
On-street parking will be allowed in those neighborhoods where existing lot sizes are not adequate to provide off-street parking.
Local Access Streets - low density residential (15 or fewer 16 homes) and rural residential (6 or fewer homes).
Right-of-way shall be at least 40 feet wide, additional right-of-way may be required for side slopes or drainage. A narrower road right-of-way of not less than 32 feet in width may be considered when the following conditions are met:
a steep slope is stable and does not require reinforcement or special drainage;
when cut and fill slopes become so extensive as to make additional width unobtainable at a reasonable cost or without significant environmental impact;
adequate off-street parking for at least four vehicles per dwelling is available;
on-street parking shall be prohibited where road widths do not provide a parking lane.
All buildings shall be set back at least 55 feet from the centerline of the right-of-way.
Road pavement widths shall be 11 feet per traveled lane.
Paved shoulders at least six feet wide will be required along both sides of the street when sidewalks and parking lanes are not provided.
Parking lanes at least eight feet wide shall be required on one side.
Bike lanes, if provided, will be at least five feet wide.
Sidewalks, if provided, shall be at least five feet wide.

Economic Development Element
Purpose: To outline City policies for creating economic opportunities.
Cashmere's economy is dominated by agricultural-orchard and related businesses. However the 1990 census data reports only 10% of the work force (figure 18), as being in Agri-businesses which implies that a high number of Cashmere residents are commuting to Wenatchee for employment. Approximately 50% of the work force commuted to work (more than 10 minutes) (figure 19).


Cashmere's employment by industry statistics are displayed in figure 17 indicating that nearly half of the work force is involved in sales (25%), or with professional services (including teachers) 20%. Considering that few local jobs exist in these industries, many of these people are commuting to the Wenatchee area for employment.
Figure 18 Source U.S. Census


Figure 19

Another indicator of local economic conditions is found by examining assessed property values and tax levy rates. The bulk of property is in residential uses, with very little manufacturing or commercial values.

Table 10 Assessed Values All Property Within Cashmere City Limits
Year Assessed Total Regular Assessed Value Total Parcels of Land
1992 $77,063,721
1993 $100,804,042
1994 $102,086,354
1995 $102,948,306
1996 $105,792,793
1997 $125,808,053 1,054


Table 11 Real Property Assessed Values by Land Use Category
Land Use Parcels in year 1997 Total Assessed Value
Residential 871 $71,390,710
Multi-family 22 $5,294,547
Manufacturing 14 $9,984,135
Commercial 75 $15,153,317
Agricultural 3 $432,993
Other 13 $10,153,942
Total 1,054 $112,409,644
Source: Chelan County Assessor's Office