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Home My WebLink About8-12-2024 PW_CDS SS Briefings KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2024 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: August 12, 2024 TOPIC: Title 16 Code Amendment for Annual Docket ACTION REQUESTED: Authorize CDS Staff to include Preliminary Plat Code Amendment to 2024 Annual Docket. LEAD STAFF: Jamey Ayling, Planning Manager RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff to include preliminary plat revisions to the 2024 Annual Comprehensive Plan Docket. BRIEFING SUMMARY: On multiple occasions staff has worked with applicants that have obtained preliminary plat approval and then would like to make minor changes to the plat such as reducing the number of lots or reconfiguring based on engineering requirements only to find out there is no process other than to re-apply for a new application. BACKGROUND: Most recently staff has worked with a landowner on Snoqualmie Pass where road requirements have driven a change from an 8 lot preliminary plat to a 5 lot plat however, the only way to accomplish this change currently would be to re-apply for another plat. Staff has discussed this process with other jurisdictions and propose the attached language to be added to the annual comprehensive plan docket for consideration by the Planning Commission. DISCUSSION: This change could benefit the current project which has brought awareness to the lack of current process for accomplishing minor amendments to preliminary plats. This is one of many that would benefit and is a concept found in other jurisdictions subdivision codes. Kittitas County should consider adding this process as a way to address minor changes that are not anticipated upon initial submittal. FISCAL IMPACTS: None ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: 16.12.260 Revisions of Preliminary Subdivisions Page 1 of 3 Community Development Services"Study Session Staff Report",2024 EXHIBIT l: 16-12.260 REVISIONS OF PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISIONS Page 2 of 3 Community Development Services"Study Session Staff Report",2024 16.12.260 Revisions of preliminary subdivisions. A. A request to revise a plat, short plat or binding site plan that has received preliminary approval shall be submitted to the department. B. Proposed revisions to a preliminary subdivision that would result in a substantial change, as determined by the department, shall be treated as a new application for purposes of vesting and transportation concurrency. C. Proposed revisions to a preliminary short subdivision or binding site plan that would result in a substantial change, as determined by the department, shall be treated as a new application for purposes of vesting and,where applicable,transportation concurrency. D. For the purpose of this section, a substantial change includes,but is not limited to: 1. The creation of additional lots; 2. The reduction or elimination of open space; 3. A change in use; 4. A change in points of ingress or egress; and 5. A change to conditions of approval of an approved preliminary subdivision,preliminary short subdivision or binding site plan that leads to environmental impacts that were not addressed in the original approval. E. Proposed changes to a subdivision, short subdivision or binding site plan that do not result in a substantial change, as determined by the department, shall be treated as a minor change and may be approved administratively by the department. F. For purposes of this section, minor changes include, but are not limited to: 1. Changes to engineering design standards necessitated by changed circumstances, such as reconfiguration or reduction of lots; 2. Changes in lot dimensions that are consistent with the underlying zone; 3. A decrease in the number of lots to be created so long as the minimum lot size and minimum density of the underlying zone is maintained; 4. Changes in timing of phased plans;and 5. Changes to engineering design that reduce construction related impacts and do not eliminate off-site improvements specifically required as a condition of preliminary approval. Page 3 of 3 Community Development Services"Study Session Staff Report",2024 KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: August 12,2024 TOPIC: Airport Lease Approval ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff LEAD STAFF: Joshua Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Direct Staff to develop enabling documents. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Public Works oversees the Airport as a Division of the Department • KCC 2.81.060(4) authorizes approval authority to be delegated to a designee • Previous resolutions authorized the Airport Director to execute lease agreements for T-Hangars and short-term leases BACKGROUND: Kittitas County is the airport sponsor of Bowers Field with Public Works having the responsibility to manage leases for County owned land and structures including T- hangars. Kittitas County Code 2.81.060(4) authorizes lease approvals to be delegated by resolution. Lease types at the airport include T-Hangar, land and agricultural. Occasionally short-term leases, less than 1-year duration, are requested. Previous approval by the Board (Resolutions 2023-045 and 2023-114) authorized the Airport Director to execute T-Hangar and short-term lease agreements. DISCUSSION: Current lease agreements require Board action to approve. Bowers Field Airport leases, including T-hangars and short-term leases are included. T-Hangar leases are a standard lease and rate previously approved. To process T-Hangar and short-term leases in an efficient and short duration, Public Works has the capacity and knowledge necessary to evaluate and execute T-Hangar lease agreements for those agreements which the terms and conditions have been previously reviewed and approved to form. This includes T- Hangar and short-term leases. Authorizing the Public Works Director the limited lease authority will allow for timely leases. FISCAL IMPACT: Authorizing the Public Works Director to address limited lease amendments will reduce time expenditure in staff time as well as costs of posting notices for public hearings. ATTACHMENTS: None KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: August 12,2024 TOPIC: Road Fund Levy Lift Update ACTION REQUESTED: No Action Required LEAD STAFF: Joshua Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: No Action Required. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Required Road levy lid lift documentation has been submitted to the County Auditor's Office • Pro and Against Committees have been established • Public Works outreach consultant, Consor, is advancing final scoped items • An explanatory statement has been approved BACKGROUND: Previously the Board approved Resolution 2024-133 to submit a proposition to Kittitas County voters regarding an increase in the road levy. Documentation for the road levy lid lift has been submitted to the County Auditor's Office. This documentation includes the resolution, ballot measure cover sheet and pro/against committee members. An approved explanatory statement(Exhibit 1) as required has also been submitted. DISCUSSION: State law requires that voters approve any property tax increase greater than 1%. The 2024 tax levied for roadways is $0.77 per$1,000 assessed value on property. The proposed road levy proposition increases the levy lid to $1.01 per $1,000 assessed value. This equates to an increase of$0.24 per$1,000 assessed value, or $96 per year on a $400,000 property. The approved proposition is scheduled to be on the November 5, 2024, general election. Public Works has contracted with Consor North America, Inc.(Consor)to provide public outreach supporting services related to the 2024 road fund levy. Consor is developing outreach material including messaging information which can be utilized. Outreach includes messaging for informational mailers about the proposed levy. FISCAL IMPACT: Additional outreach efforts will require funding not yet programmed with the consultant ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: Levy Lid Lift Explanatory Statement EXHIBIT 1: LEVY LID LIFT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT Explanatory Statement Kittitas County maintains over 500 miles of roads and 250 bridges and structures.The County's year-round critical responsibilities include road maintenance, snow plowing, bridge safety and complete cost-effective repairs and paving. County road maintenance and construction is supported by a property tax. Under Washington law, these taxes assessed on properties may increase only 1%annually. Recent inflation increased costs 16.8%in 2021-2023(CPI) impacting the ability to continue the same level of maintenance and construction on public roads and bridges within the County. Passage of Proposition No. 1 would allow Kittitas County to continue critical maintenance and work on County owned roads and bridges. The proposed levy lid lift would authorize an increase in the tax levy rate to pay for roads and bridges. The additional property tax in 2025 would be 0.24 per $1,000 assessed value,or$96 per year for a home valued at$400,000. KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: August 12,2024 TOPIC: Emergency Operations Center Update ACTION REQUESTED: No Action required LEAD STAFF: Josh Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: No Action Required BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Kittitas County Sheriff s Office successfully pursued funding to build a Search and Rescue storage facility and an Emergency Operations Center in 2023 from a Department of Military grant in the amount of$1,186,320 which included a local match of$395,440 for construction. The grant is only able to fund construction, design costs are not reimbursable. • Total cost through the first phase of construction(design, building shell, site development, and utilities)will cost approximately $3,500,000. • Site and Building Design are complete. The City of Cle Elum held a Public Hearing with the Hearings Examiner on August 7, and the Hearings Examiner will present findings to the City Council on August 27. • A Forest Practice Application(FPA) is still pending. • Kittitas County requested an additional $4,000,000 (which required $1,000,000 in local match) of funding through congressionally directed spending in 2024. The project did make the short list for funding,but ultimately was not chosen. • To maintain the project timeline, Public Works intends to bid out and complete the site preparation this fall. If funding allows, Facilities will then be able to bid out and build Phase 1 this coming spring. Facilities will be able to continue with Phase 2 when funding becomes available. BACKGROUND: Kittitas County Sheriff s Department has a need for a Search and Rescue Facility in the Upper County to help reduce response times to areas including the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Teanaway Community Forest. Currently, the Sheriff s Department is renting space from the City of Cle Elum to house Search and Rescue equipment. In 2023, the Sheriff's Office successfully secured $1,186,320 in initial funding for a Search and Rescue Facility to be located on a parcel Kittitas County acquired just south of the Cle Elum Airport. This grant required $395,440 in local match funds. The Engineer's estimate for the build out through Phase 1 is approximately $3,000,000 in construction costs and an additional $500,000 in design. The design and specifications for the project are complete. Public Works was granted approval from the City of Cle Elum to move forward with the remaining City permits at a Public Hearing on August 7, 2024. A Forest Practice Application(FPA)from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and a Well Site Review from Kittitas County Public Health(KCPH) are still pending. DISCUSSION: Public Works is prepared to move forward with bidding and construction of the site preparation in the fall of 2024,and Facilities is prepared to move forward with bidding and construction in the Spring of 2025. However, total estimated costs will exceed existing funding by approximately $2,500,000. A portion of the design costs have already been paid. FISCAL IMPACT: Approximately $2,000,000 to $2,500,000 in additional local funds would be required to complete Site Preparation and Phase 1. ATTACHMENTS: None KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: August 12,2024 TOPIC: Upper County Holiday Weekend Speed Study Results ACTION REQUESTED: No Action Required LEAD STAFF: Josh Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: No Action Required BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Public Works deployed traffic tubes on Westside Rd(MP 0.37), Mohar Rd(MP 0.22),Nelson Siding Rd (MP 0.62), and Bullfrog Rd(MP 0.23). • Traffic tubes on Bullfrog Road were dislodged or tampered with over the Holiday Weekend potentially skewing data on Bullfrog Road. • The speed study was conducted from July 2, 2024 to July 10, 2024. • Average daily traffic (ADT) was found to be as follows: Highest Holiday Week Holiday Daily Typical Week Percent Increase Road Name ADT Volume ADT (Compared to Highest Daily Volume Westside Rd 1885 4109 1709 140.43% Mohar Rd 461 1938 241 704.15% Nelson Siding Rd 1415 5327 1 783 1 580.33% Bullfrog Rd* 1 3864 1 6047 1 3687 64.01% • 85% speed was found to be as follows: Holiday Week 85th Percentile Speed Typical Week 85th Road Name MPH Percentile Speed MPH Posted Speed(MPH) Westside Rd 46.05 40.45 35 Mohar Rd 42.25 36.50 35 Nelson Siding Rd 45.80 41.10 35 Bullfrog Rd 50.50 51.50 35 • The number of reported crashes in the previous five years for the studied roads are as follows: Road Name Reported Crashes Westside Rd 6 Mohar Rd 0 Nelson Siding Rd 1 4 Bullfrog Rd I 1 BACKGROUND: Public Works installed traffic tubes to collect data on Westside Road,Nelson Siding Road, Mohar Road, and Bullfrog Road (Exhibit 1)to collect traffic data between July 2, 2024, to July 10, 2024. Speed and volume data for this time period are shown as Exhibits 2 and 3 comparing measured data to typical data. Typical data is taken from Public Works regularly collected traffic counts for all county roads representing non-holiday weekday metrics. The comparison dates for Mohar,Nelson Siding, and Bullfrog come weekday counts from June of 2022. The comparison date for Westside Rd comes from weekday counts in September of 2022. Data was not collected on Upper Peoh Road due to annual chipseal work occurring around the time period. Equipment installed on Bullfrog Road was disturbed on Sunday, July 7, limiting the data collection dates from July 2 to July 6. There have been several [I I] accidents reported on the study roads over the last five years. Zero were reported over a holiday weekend. DISCUSSION: Data collected over the July 4thh holiday weekend is consistent with data collected during the Fehr and Peers traffic study in 2020. The traffic data collected by Fehr and Peers was during the Labor Day weekend period. Both speed and volume data collected represent traffic above average for these sections of road. Public Works has installed speed feedback radar signs on Westside Road,Nelson Siding, Upper Peoh Road, and Bullfrog Road as was recommended in the Fehr and Peers report. The County has been working with SO Alliance to facilitate a feasibility study for options intended to keep the traveling public on 1-90 and reduce the use of County Roads as bypass routes for 1-90 congestion. Public Works will continue investigating potential short-term solutions. FISCAL IMPACT: None ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: Speed Study Results Map Exhibit 2: Speed Study 85th Percentile Speed Results Exhibit 3: Speed Study ADT Results EXHIBIT l: SPEED STUDY RESULTS MAP W D w u w 1 () N tL W N O J CL U U OLL 9 0 Q� = M 0 O a 0 w 0 Ln Lo w z J w - F}O H N O a O LL LL J J m 6:. tD O a c� z a z O In J W Z EXHIBIT 2: SPEED STUDY 85TH PERCENTILE SPEED RESULTS 85th Percentile Speed 60 50 - -- 40 i a ■Typical Week 85th � 30 Percentile Speed(MPH) Q Holiday 85th N Percentile Speed 20 -- 10 — — — 0 } Westside Rd Mohar Rd Nelson Siding Rd Bullfrog Rd EXHIBIT 3: SPEED STUDY ADT RESULTS Traffic Volume 7000 6000 -- E 5000 - — P 4000 ■Typical ADT a 3000 Holiday Volume I 2000 I 1000 — 0 , Westside Rd Mohar Rd Nelson Siding Rd Bullfrog Rd i