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Applicant Response: “According to 17.61.020 of the KCC, utilities shall be a permitted use in all zoning <br />districts. The transmission line is overhead and mostly adjacent to existing transmission line ROW. The <br />transmission line route in Kittitas County is located on 78% federal lands. The transmission line will not <br />affect nearby land uses due to the presence of several transmission line on the landscape currently, a large <br />portion of the transmission line occurring on Federal land within Kittitas County, and the compatibility of <br />transmission lines with the current land uses in this portion of Kittitas County.” <br />Staff Response: CDS finds that the project, as proposed, will be utilizing federal lands primarily and will <br />utilize existing utility ROW’s when possible. The project does not conflict with current land uses along the <br />identified path. <br />6. The proposed use is consistent with the intent and character of the zoning district in which it is located. <br />Applicant Response: “The transmission line is overhead and mostly within existing ROW, therefore it will not <br />affect the character of the zoning district in which it is located.” <br />Staff Response: Kittitas County Code permits utilities in all zoning districts. This combined with the primary <br />use of existing utility ROW’s meets the requirements of this section. <br />7. For conditional uses outside of Urban Growth Areas, the proposed use: <br />a. Is consistent with the intent, goals, policies, and objectives of the Kittitas County <br />Comprehensive Plan, including the policies of Chapter 8, Rural and Resource Lands; <br />b. Preserves “rural character” as defined in the Growth Management Act <br />c. Requires only rural government services ; and <br />d. Does not compromise the long term viability of designated resource lands. <br />Applicant Response: The project is consistent with the intent, goals, policies, and objectives of the KC <br />Comprehensive Plan. The project is consistent with rural character and will not require any services outside <br />of rural government services. The project does not compromise the long term viability of designated resource <br />lands. <br />Staff Response: Kittitas County Code allows for utilities in all zoning districts and encourages use of existing <br />ROW’s whenever possible. This project is consistent with these policies. The project preserves rural character <br />as it does not increase density, impact rural lifestyles or economies, require urban government services, and <br />does not impact surface or groundwater flows. The use of existing ROW’s when possible also limits the <br />visual impact to natural landscapes and open space areas. <br /> Staff Conclusions <br />Staff finds that the proposed use will not be injurious to the public or surrounding neighborhood and <br />adequate public services exist to accommodate the new use. Staff finds that the proposed use will be <br />beneficial to the public by expanding the capacity of the regional distribution network without additional <br />public cost or economic detriment. Kittitas County permits utilities in all zoning districts. Staff finds that <br />the project, as conditioned, is consistent with the provisions outlined in KCC 17.60A.015 Review <br />Criteria. <br />KCC 17.61.030 Review Criteria – Special utilities and associated facilities. Special utilities may be <br />authorized by the Community Development Services director as a conditional use in all zoning districts, <br />pursuant to the criteria and procedures of this chapter and KCC Title 15A and KCC 17.60. <br />Index # 33