CU-15-00006 Iron Horse Solar Farm Resolution

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was on June 7th, 2016. 7. Kittitas County acted as the lead agency for the SEPA Environmental Checklist and threshold determination. As per WAC 197-11-355 and KCC 15A.04.010 the county utilized the optional DNS process. Notice was given that the County was expecting to issue a Determination of Non-Significance, and that the notice of application comment period (14 days) may be the only opportunity to provide comment on the environmental impacts of the proposal. 8. The SEPA checklist was reviewed by staff in conjunction with the project narrative. On June 27th, 2016 the application was placed on hold by the applicant and review was temporarily suspended. On July 15th, 2016 the applicant requested that review continue and submitted supplemental documentation with respect to comments received. 9. After a detailed review of the SEPA checklist, the project narrative, supplemental submission, and proposed mitigation measures the SEPA official determined that there would be no significant adverse environmental impacts under the provisions of WAC 197-11-350. A Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) was issued for this project on August 10th, 2016. 10. The appeal period for the SEPA determination ended on August 24th, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. A timely appeal was filed with the BOCC on August 24th, 2016 by “Save Our Farms! Say No to Iron Horse". The appeal was heard before the Kittitas County Hearing Examiner on Thursday October 20th, 2016. The Hearing Examiner issued a decision on November 8th, 2016 which, based on listed findings, held that “…the August 10, 2016 SEPA determination by the responsible official in the above referenced matter is affirmed in every respect”. 11. The Hearing Examiner open record public hearing for the SEPA appeal and the Conditional Use Permit was held on October 20th, 2016. Representatives of the applicant presented materials and testified at the hearing. Members of the public testified. On November 9th, 2016, the Kittitas County Hearing Examiner returned a recommendation that the Iron Horse Solar Farm Conditional Use Permit (CU-15-00006) be approved with the staff recommended conditions plus an additional two conditions. 12. The Board of County Commissioners conducted a closed record meeting on December 20th, 2016 and continued the meeting to January 10th, 2017 for the purpose of considering the Iron Solar Farm Conditional Permit (CU-15-00006). A motion was made and seconded that the conditional use permit be denied; the motion carried on a vote of 2-1. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners hereby deny the approval of the Iron Horse Solar Farm Conditional Use Permit (CU-15-00006) and adopt the above Findings of Fact, and Conclusions of Law.