2017-2037 Comp Plan Update Enabling Ordinance with Exhibit A

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Kittitas County December 2016 Comprehensive Plan 3.7.4 Subarea B Land Use Plan Like Subarea A, Open Space is the predominate land use designation in Subarea B. The area is entirely within King County and is designated as Forest Production. Existing land use and ownership in a small portion of the subarea, however, does not meet the descriptive criteria for Forest Production districts. Rural home sites, such as those, which are present, are more compatible with the recreational and environmental assets of this valley than would be the harvesting of the forest resource. The Snoqualmie Pass Comprehensive Plan therefore recommends that the privately owned lands which lie between the westbound and eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 be designated as Residential with a maximum density of one unit per five acres of land area. Other privately owned land in the most southern part of the subarea is designated as Open Space. Lack of access, topography, and visibility from Interstate 90 are the criteria for this designation. Most of this area is below the visual level of I-90. Pursuant to applicable state and/or local requirements, vegetative buffers will be required along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. A density of one unit per five acres, with clustering, should be considered where feasible. 3.7.5 Subarea C Land Use Plan Subarea C is the community and recreational hub of the Pass and the Comprehensive Plan reinforces this role and capitalizes on the existing recreational assets. The overall plan identifies two activity centers (or nodes) at Summit West and Summit West, where hotels, conference facilities, restaurants and other commercial activities are envisioned. The plan recommends that these areas be designed as much as possible in a "village" style, which promotes pedestrian accessibility and discourages sprawling, automobile oriented development. Because Highway 906 presents a lineal orientation, it is recommended that developments be planned to provide perpendicular movement, connecting the base of the ski areas to the commercial activities and lodging across the highway. Along Highway 906, at the base of the ski slopes, areas designated for Commercial Lodging could provide accommodations for recreational visitors year around. Additional Commercial Lodging is proposed east of the freeway near Exit 53. As the recreational hub of the Pass, the summit is also the logical first stop for visitors to the area. The plan recommends that the U.S. Forest Service expand their present activities and hours of operation in a new, larger visitor center which could include, in addition to recreation information, such things as a display on Pass history, information regarding available lodging, picnic areas, and a message center for hikers on the John Wayne/Pacific Crest Trail. In addition, the Forest Service should provide enhanced public facilities for travelers in the Pass area, together with adequate safe parking. This could be incorporated in the new visitor center or in a stand-alone facility.