RV-26-00006 - Yakama Nation Habitat Restoration Project Variance File

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�`CPSCNPliS ._To,y C,O �4e �°�s,9 KZTTZTAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS KITTITAS COUNTY Josh Fredrickson, Director STAFF REPORT TO: Kittitas County Road Variance Committee FROM: Jackie Sharp, Engineer Tech 1 DATE: May 6t", 2026 SUBJECT: Tara O'Rourke, RV-26-00006 I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Proposal: A Road Variance from Tara O'Rourke, regarding the fish habitat restoration project on parcel 346333 located on W Taneum Rd, Thorp, WA. The applicant is requesting a variance from the 2024 Kittitas County Road Standards, Table 12.04.07-1, Minimum Driveway Standards, specifically: > Driveways longer than 150 feet are required to be 16 feet wide with 2 feet of clear zone on each side. > Placement of 16 foot wide private driveway bridge. >Access requirements shall be limited to the realigned portion of the access associated with parcel 346333. The Yakama Nation, in partnership with WDFW, is proposing a fish habitat restoration project on Taneum Creek. The variance request is to allow reconstruction and realignment of the driveway at a width of 16 feet without the required 2-foot clear zone on each side. The project includes the addition of a 100-foot-long, 16-foot-wide bridge span north of the existing 40-foot-long, 16- foot-wide bridge, in order to enhance the river—floodplain corridor. The request further seeks to limit access improvements to the realigned access segment between the public road and the existing bridge. The portion of the driveway extending from the existing bridge to the private residence is proposed to remain as currently constructed. Proposed Mitigation: The applicant proposes installation of two MUTCD compliant object marker signs at the ends of the bridge, one sign on each side, as well as "One Lane Bridge" warning signs in both directions. The bridge will be designed to meet the minimum load capacity of HL-93. The project will maintain adequate sight distance and manage vegetation. In addition, a 20-foot- wide by 50-foot-long pullout area will be provided in advance of the 100 foot bridge to allow vehicles to pass safely. Site Information: The existing driveway serving the single-family residence at 7710 W. Taneum Road crosses land owned by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Both the WDFW parcel and the property at 7710 W. Taneum Road are portions of Lots 1 and 2, 411 North Ruby Street, Suite 1 TEL (509)962-7523 Ellensburg, WA 98926 FAX (509)962-7663