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Kittitas County December 2016 Comprehensive Plan <br />The community strongly desires to maintain and improve existing planning guidelines within the <br />identified community boundary, and to develop standards for growth and development in its <br />alpine environment, which will ensure a community which is aesthetically and environmentally <br />compatible with its mountain setting while meeting the needs of its residents, businesses and <br />visitors. <br />Although unincorporated, the stakeholders at Snoqualmie Pass are shaping the future of their <br />community through stewardship of the goals and recommendations set forth in their planning <br />efforts. The community continues to make the effort to participate with, negotiate with, and <br />remind those public agencies, private companies, or individuals who have the jurisdiction, <br />authority or responsibility, to implement those actions that will achieve the goals of the <br />community’s plan. <br />2. Subarea Descriptions <br />2.1 Subarea “A” <br />2.1.1 Location and General Description <br />The four square mile Alpental subarea is the northern most portion of the study area and lies <br />entirely within King County. The valley is relatively narrow and encompasses the upper most <br />portions of the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Small parts of the eastern and western <br />portions of the subarea are within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary. The southern <br />boundary of Subarea A is formed by Interstate 90 and Snoqualmie Summit. <br />2.1.2 Natural Features <br />The Alpental valley is narrow with steep side slopes rising to some of the higher and most scenic <br />mountain peaks in the Pass area, including Snoqualmie Mountain at 6,278 feet, Denny Mountain <br />at 5,519, and the landmark Guye Peak at 5,168. The South Fork of the Snoqualmie River <br />traverses the valley floor and is joined near the valley entrance by Commonwealth Creek, which <br />flows from the north. Due to steep slope gradients and unstable geologic conditions, some areas <br />along the east and west valley walls are subject to rock slides. In winter, many of the same <br />upper slopes are also vulnerable to avalanches. <br />2.1.3 Existing Land Use and Ownership <br />Approximately 75% of the subarea is National Forest System Land within the Mt. Baker - <br />Snoqualmie National Forest. Approximately 750 acres of this land is granted a Special Use <br />Permit for use as the Alpental downhill ski area. The base of the ski area, including two day <br />lodges and other support services, is on private land. <br />Most of the private land occurs at or near the valley floor in the southeast quadrant of the <br />subarea. An exception is a large, steep linear parcel of undeveloped private land east of the base