Ord-2019-010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

RR-GS: Activities generally should not require extension of urban governmental services. RR-G6: Land use should be consistent with protection of surface and ground water flows and recharge/discharge areas. "Rural development" refers to development outside the urban growth area and outside agricultural, forest, and mineral resource lands designated pursuant to RCW 36.70A.170. Rural development can consist of a variety of uses and residential densities, including clustered residential development, at levels that are consistent with the preservation of rural character and the requirements of the rural element." (RCW 36.70A.030(17)) "Rural governmental services" include those public services and public facilities historically and typically delivered at an intensity usually found in rural areas, and may include domestic water systems, fire and police protection services, transportation and public transit services, and other public utilities associated with rural development and normally not associated with urban areas. (RCW 36.70A.030(18)) The Resource section of this Chapter refers to the commercial agriculture, forest, and mineral resources of long-term significance that are not characterized by urban growth. (RCW 36.70A.170) 8 .3 POLICIES Kittitas County planning policies help define rural and resource lands, appropriate land uses and service levels, and unique rural features. They also identify innovative land use techniques which may be used to protect these features. Rural policies are intended to enhance and protect the County's rural character, and to encourage appropriate rural land use patterns and service levels. As Kittitas County is a primarily rural area, many of the goals and policies listed in this and other elements are intended to be interpreted through a broad-spectrum rural lens. Rural Lands planning policies include: RR-Pl: The County shall promote the retention of its overall character by establishing zoning classifications that preserve rural character identified to Kittitas County. RR-P2: In order to protect and preserve Resource Lands, non-resource development and activities on adjacent Rural lands shall require preservation of adjacent vegetation, existing landforms (e.g. ravines) or use of other methods that provide functional separation from the resource land use. RR-P3: The use of cluster platting and conservation platting shall be encouraged in specific rural areas to lessen the impacts upon the environment and traditional agricultural/forestry uses and to provide services most economically. The use of other innovative land use techniques that protect rural character and resource land uses will be evaluated for future implementation. RR-P4: A certain level of mixed uses in rural areas and rural service centers is acceptable and may include limited commercial, service, and rural industrial uses. Page 84