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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-22-cds-study-session-supporting-documents KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 2026 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June 22, 2026 TOPIC: Kittitas County 2026 Clean Energy Siting Permitting(CESP). ACTION REQUESTED: No Action Requested BACKGROUND: CDS and Kimley-Horn have continued to move forward with the CESP Grant process. Goals of the CESP are to determine what clean energy types are most suitable and appropriate for permitting. Three Alternatives were identified(see Kimley Horn memo). Status Update: • The Environmental Impact Study(EIS)scoping/comment period was from April 161 through May 181,2026. EIS scoping events where held on May 2,2026, in Lower and Upper County with approximately 80 attendees,with an additional scoping event held in Easton with 20 additional attendees. • Drafting the EIS outline and framing questions Next steps: • Conduct Stakeholder and Tribal meetings summer 2026. • Continue Draft EIS development. • Issue Draft EIS with additional public comment period and open house fall 2026. INTERACTION: CDS. RECOMMENDATION: None. HANDLING: None. ATTACHMENTS: Clean Energy Siting Permitting(CESP)Update Briefing Memo dated June 15`",2026. LEAD STAFF: Chad Bala, CDS Director ile )>> Hnr MEMORANDUM Chad Bala, Community Development Services Director To: Ellie Myers, Planner From: Zoe Tapert, Clay White Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Date: June 151h, 2026 Subject: Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) Project Update Overview Kittitas County is progressing the Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) Project to evaluate and update how energy facilities are sited and permitted in the County. The CESP Project includes completion of a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement(EIS)to identify suitable locations, potential impacts, and mitigation measures for utility scale solar, utility scale wind, geothermal energy, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and small modular reactors (SMRs). The CESP Project goals include: • Determine what clean energy types are most suitable for permitting. = Strengthen community control of permitting in Kittitas County for identified energy projects. Develop and/or modify county code, where appropriate, so project applicants and the public understand: o Where various uses may be appropriate, o What studies and information are necessary to evaluate applications, and o The types of mitigation which may be appropriate for energy projects that are proposed in Kittitas County. Where energy uses may be appropriate, create a streamlined permitting process. The general process for an EIS includes scoping the impacts and alternatives the EIS will study, drafting the EIS, issuance and public comment of the Draft EIS, and the issuance of a Final EIS which occurs prior to final adoption of any potential development code changes. As part of the programmatic EIS, the CESP Project alternatives include: • Alternative#1, No Action Alternative, as required under SEPA, assumes that energy development for solar, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), geothermal, and small modular reactors (SMR)would occur within Kittitas County based on the current development regulations with no changes. Alternative#2 will re-evaluate locations suitable and appropriate for utility scale solar and wind along with current permitting procedures as well as evaluate impacts associated with Kimsey)>)Horn Page 2 battery energy storage systems (BESS)to determine suitable and appropriate locations in Kittitas County for BESS facilities. Alternative#3 evaluates significant environmental impacts for geothermal energy facilities and small modular reactor facilities. nt irinr3 the FIS process, there are opportunities for members of the public.., agencies, and Tribes to comment on potential impacts and concerns. This engagement and decision-making guidance ensure that the County has the best information to be considered. Recent Project Updates Since the project team last provided an update,the following developments have occurred: EIS scoping comment period completed (April 16-May 18, 2026), collecting input on the EIS alternatives and key issues • EIS scoping events held (May 2, 2026) in upper and lower county with approximately 80 attendees. Additional outreach was conducted after the scoping comment period in Easton (May 23, 2026), where roughly 20 individuals were reached. • EIS scoping comments are summarized and being used to refine alternatives, environmental factors, and resources. There were 17 total commenters, the following key themes were heard: o Early Support for Alternative 2 o Focus on Dual-Use Practices with Agricultural Lands o Prioritize Suitable Site Criteria o Concern About Alternative 3 o Safeguards for Environmental Resources o Align with State Efforts and Resources • Draft EIS outline and framing questions completed; writing is now underway Project Schedule The schedule below highlights the timeline and engagement periods for the EIS and code development as part of the CESP Project. The CESP Project is currently on schedule with all steps. 2828 Colby 00 Everett, 98201 � Kimley> Horn Page PROJECT STEPS COMORO EIS A CODE DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE r . Ap, May Jun Jul Auy Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mot Apr May Jura _ GL - / Gooe Changes Issue scopfny Noce Woo Final EIS Select a P mferyed AlterrPaM,* Caper,Houses 30©ay Cc x; .:et Per+ads Code Dembprriee:4 AdWion / Issue Dia91 EIS 1,2029 Project Next Steps Conduct stakeholder and Tribal meetings(Summer 2026) Continue Draft EIS development Issue Draft EIS with another public comment period and open house event(Fall 2026) 200, Everett, 98201 �: KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STUDY STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June 22, 2026 ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution to extend Kimley-Horn and Associates, LLC. Professional Services Agreement for Planning Support Services extending two years until May 24th, 2028. BACKGROUND: Community Development Services (CDS) selected Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. as one of Kittitas County's On-Call Planning Service consultants in May of 2024, via Resolution 2024-071. This professional services agreement provides the ability to extend Kimley-Horn &Associates LLC services. This amendment provides an extension that will allow Kimley-Horn&Associates LLC to continue providing services to complete the recently approved Clean Energy Siting and Permitting(CESP) Grant project INTERACTION: Kittitas County Community Development Services Department. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Resolution to extend the Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Professional Services Agreement for an additional two years. HANDLING: Return one original to Community Development Services. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution LEAD STAFF: Chad Bala, Director. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF KITTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO.2026--LLL— AUTHORIZING THE EXTENSION OF KIML)EY-HORN CONSULTANTS CONTRACT FOR ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING,LONG RANGE PLANNING,CURRENT PLANNING AND SUPPORT FOR A TWO-YEAR PERIOD WHEREAS. Kittitas County retained services with Kimley Horn and Associates in May of 2024 thrnngh Resolution 2024-071,for On-Call Environmental Planning,Long Range Planning,Current Planning and Washington State Growth Management Compliance Support;and WHEREAS: Kittitas County Community Development Services Department entered into a master contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates to assist with the 2026-2046 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update task item,a 2 year process,in association with the WA ST Dept.of Commerce Periodic Update Grant,which was extended to December 2026;and WHEREAS: The Kimley-Horn and Associates contract period will conclude in the middle of the county's mandated ten-year comprehensive plan amendment cycle in 2026,and the Director may elect to extend the contract period;and WHEREAS: Kittitas County recently approved its Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update in June of 2026 and will begin the associated appeal periods and notice of adoptions as required by the Growth Management Act;and WHEREAS: Kittitas County has additionally retained the services of Kimley-Horn and Associates through the contracted On-Call services contract to complete the Clean Energy Site Permitting Grant starting in February of 2026 and ending in June of 2027;and WHEREAS: Kittitas County Community Development Services Director proposes extending Kimley-Horn On- Call services for an additional two years;and NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of County Commissioners of Kittitas County, Washington,in the best interest of the public,does hereby extend Kimley-Horn and Associates Consultants for On- Call Environmental Planning,Long Range Planning,and Current Planning for an additional two-year period ending on June 22,2028. DATED this 22nd day of June 2026,at Ellensburg,Washington. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY,WASHINGTON Cory Wright,Chairman Attest: ❑ Clerk of the Board-Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith,Vice-Chairman ❑Deputy Clerk of the Board-Mandy Buchholz Laura Osiadacz,Commissioner