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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-12 6:00 PM - Planning Commission - Minutes KITTITAS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Courthouse RM 201 , ELLENSBURG Special Meeting TUESDAY 6: 00 PM November 12 , 2024 Board members present: Bruce Coe, Michael Lundin, Joseph Pearson, Scott Carlson, and Pat Deneen. Not Present: Warren Taylor. Others : Jamey Ayling, and Jessica Miller and twelve (12) members of the public . CDS Director Chad Bala recused himself due to prior involvement with the three applications . Meeting was called to order at 6: 00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMENTS (1 min. time limit) There were no citizen comments . APPROVAL OF MINUTES COMMISSIONER PEARSON moved to approve the July 23, 2024, August 13, 2024, September 10, 2024, September 11, 2024, September 12, 2024 and the October 8, 2024 minutes as presented. COMMISSIONER CARLSON seconded. Discussion - none . Motion passed 5-0 . NEW BUSINESS 2024 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING REGARDING THE FOLLOWING DOCKET ITEMS : COMMISSIONER DENEEN motioned to move Docket Item 2024-13 RZ-24- 00001 Gibson to the top of the agenda. COMMISSIONER CARLSON seconded. Discussion - none . Motion passed 5-0 . COMMISSIONER DENEEN stated that he has been involved with each of these docket items and will recuse himself if requested. There was no objection to his participation for Docket Item 2024-13 . The public hearing was opened by CHAIR COE. DOCKET ITEM 2024-13 : CP-24-00001 GIBSON - This item is a citizen' s request, CP-24-00001 GIBSON was proposed by Kristen Gibson. They are proposing a rezone to one parcel currently 2024-11-12 MINUTES 1 zoned Agriculture 20 with a Rural Working Land Use, rezoned to Forest and Range zoning. PLANNING MANAGER JAMEY AYLING presented the staff report . The rezoning request aligns with the comprehensive plan and does not transfer development rights or impact irrigation. Public comments were received and detailed in the staff report provided. There was a comment submitted regarding proper notice to the public. CDS Staff recommends approval of this docket item. CHAIR COE opened public comment discussion. James Carmody - Applicant Representative - Mr. Carmody presented the rezone application for the applicant . He stated this property is 42 acres and has been mined since 2002 . It has been subjected to a conditional use permits for the mining and excavation operation. This was all permitted subject to conditions . The list of criteria is covered both in the application materials where each of the components are reviewed and submitted by the applicant, but also in the work and recommendations of CDS staff. George Seubert - Ellensburg Cement Products - Mr. Seubert stated he has nothing against crushing rocks or the Gibson' s . He shared his concern about uneven enforcement of rules and regulations for all crushing operations . Jeff Hutchinson - Ellensburg Cement Products - Mr. Hutchinson stated he agreed with what Mr. Seubert stated. He stated this request should go through a regular rezone process like he had to do . Carla Thomas - Resident/Landowner - Ms . Thomas shared that she is not opposed to the what the Gibson' s are trying to do, she is opposed to the process . She stated when her project was proposed years ago there were a number of permits, air quality studies and other regulatory standards that had to be met and could be completed under a conditional use permit under Ag 20 . She stated she believes other quarry owners should have to go through the same process previous quarry owners had to go through to be permitted. Torrey Wing - Ellensburg Cement Products - Mr. Wing shared his concern is with the way this item is trying to be snuck through. He stated they are aware of the zones and what can be done in them, but the general public does not . He stated the impacts of this docket item should have been presented at the beginning. He 2024-11-12 MINUTES 2 also stated, their attorney provided some interesting information and Ellensburg Cement Products has submitted a lot of information. He is concerned that there will be no additional permits required for them to proceed with rock crushing after this rezone occurs . Mr. Wing stated that he believes there was not proper public notice and the room in the newspaper notice was incorrect for this hearing. COMMISSIONER LUNDIN shared his concern for how the county is doing things differently than they did 20 years ago . COMMISSIONER PEARSON asked for clarification regarding the allowable uses in forest and range and if there is any other permitting required. PLANNING MANAGER AYLING provided clarification on the land use table and provided an example of the permitting criteria to achieve the permitted use . JAMES CARMODY stated he agrees with the information provided by Planning Manager Ayling and that the same rules apply to everyone . Torrey Wing - Ellensburg Cement Products - Mr. Wing stated that on record there is a letter from John and Julie Blackmore submitting comments that they live next door to the property. He stated there are others living around the property who did not want to make comment but have concerns . George Seubert - Ellensburg Cement Products - Mr. Seubert stated that crushing is allowed in Forest and Range, and you don' t have to do anything else . The applicant will be able to move a crusher in as soon as it is rezoned. He wants everyone to play by the same rules, especially when it comes to crushing rock. Torrey Wing - Ellensburg Cement Products - Mr. Wing stated he thinks that one of the reasons there were no comments submitted from neighboring properties is because none of the paperwork identified the fact that a rock crushing operation would be allowed and no further permitting would be required. He believes that if there was a better understanding by the neighbors, there would have been more comments provided. CHAIR COE closed public comment . COMMISSIONER DENEEN explained the zoning updates and changes in the law that have occurred since 2013 . He stated he would like the Board to look at the use table next year. 2024-11-12 MINUTES 3 CHAIR COE stated that notification is very important for the public to be notified of hearings to ensure that no one is left out of the process . Discussion occurred regarding continuing this docket item to December 3, 2024 . CHAIR COE called for a special hearing meeting on December 3rd in the Commissioner' s Auditorium, room 109 at 6 pm. COMMISSIONER DENEEN stated for the next two docket items he will be recusing himself due to involvement with the projects . DOCKET ITEM 2024-11 : CP-24-00002 Spring Tree Ranch - This item is a citizen' s request, CP-24-00002 Spring Tree Ranch was proposed by Spring Tree Ranch LLC. They are proposing to rezone their 3 parcels, equaling 22 .27 acres, currently zoned Agriculture 5 to Planned Unit Development . The rezone will allow the current use of the property to be consistent and compatible with the zoning code, as well as allow future expansion of existing uses . PLANNING MANAGER JAMEY AYLING presented the staff report . He stated there is one correction on page 2, section 4 of the staff report . The land use designation is rural residential . Public comments were received and detailed in the staff report provided. A MDNS (Mitigation Determination of Non- Significance) was issued on this project, and it did go through an appeal period and no appeals were submitted. This has been submitted to Department of Commerce, there have been several conversations, and we have been informed it is accepted and sufficient . CDS Staff recommends approval of this docket item. COMMISSIONER CARLSON asked about the mentioned petition. PLANNING MANAGER AYLING provided clarification regarding the petition including concerns about increased traffic, sound mitigation, the KRD irrigation that runs lateral between the parcels and about horses, horse trailers and parking. The applicant was supplied the petition, and they did provide a response to all of the comments and concerns . CHAIR COE opened public comment discussion. Laura Hinkle - Applicant Representative - Ms . Hinkle presented the non-project rezone application for the applicant . Presentation and handout were provided at the hearing. She provided background history on the proposed development area and shared the community concerns . Ms . Hinkle explained how their proposal supports both the overall development and the preservation of the agricultural character of the property. 2024-11-12 MINUTES 4 CHAIR COE called for a five minute break at 7 : 43 pm. CHAIR COE reconvened the hearing at 7 : 48 pm. CHAIR COE closed public comment . COMMISSIONER CARLSON moved to approve with recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners . COMMISSIONER LUNDIN seconded. Discussion - none . Motion passed 4-0, with one abstention by Commissioner Deneen. DOCKET ITEM 2024-12 : CP-24-00003 Flying A Land - This item is a citizen' s request, CP-24-00003 Flying A Land by Flying A Land LLC. Flying A Land LLC is proposing to rezone their 9 parcels, equaling 91 acres, currently zoned Agriculture 5 to Planned Unit Development to match adjacent properties . The rezone will allow the current use of the property to be consistent with the zoning code, as well as allow future expansion of existing uses . PLANNING MANAGER JAMEY AYLING presented the staff report . A SEPA review and a determination of non-significance was processed on this application and there was no mitigation necessary. Public comments were received and detailed in the staff report provided. This has been submitted to Department of Commerce, there have been several conversations, and we have been informed it is accepted and sufficient . A petition was submitted from the public with concerns that the rural environment would be disrupted with construction equipment and traffic and noise levels . The comments have been addressed and the project has been updated with a decrease in the proposed number of homes . CDS Staff recommends approval of this docket item. CHAIR COE opened public comment discussion. Laura Hinkle - Applicant Representative - Ms . Hinkle presented the non-project rezone request . Presentation was provided at the hearing. She provided background on the property, including the history and current status . Ms . Hinkle also addressed the concerns of the public and shared how their rezoning proposal has resolved those concerns . The concerns regarding the water system was reduced because the Game Farm water system has committed to provide the water that will service this rezone, and based on the number of available connections, this water system will be able to cover this development . The proposed non- project rezone size is 91 . 44 acres and is in the rural residential land use and Agriculture 5 zoning. If this proposal is approved, they will be required to present a final development plan through the county. Upon appropriate approval 2024-11-12 MINUTES 5 of this final development plan, the 3rd step is for the applicant to submit an additional application for a final plat to the county. CHAIR COE closed public comment . COMMISSIONER CARLSON moved to approve with a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners . COMMISSIONER PEARSON seconded. Discussion - none . Motion passed 4-0, with one abstention by Commissioner Deneen. Old Business There was no Old Business OTHER BUSINESS - No Action to be taken There was no other business . CHAIR COE continued the Kittitas County Planning Commission Public Hearing meeting to December 3, 2024 at 6 PM. Meeting ended at 8 : 18 pm. 2024-11-12 MINUTES 6