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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />WORK SESSION DATE: July 11, 206 <br />TOPIC: Floodplain Solar Panel Permits and Associated Fee <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff Prepare Appropriate Documents for <br />Board Action <br />LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct staff to prepare appropriate fee documentation for Board action. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Numerous solar panel installations are being sought for homes located in various <br />floodplains. The standard floodplain review fee is $180.00 and takes <br />approximately two week in staff review. <br />Recently, staff has communicated its intention to begin issuing an "over the <br />counter" floodplain permit supporting solar panel deployments. Typically, we <br />have looked at the value of the solar panel installation against the assessed <br />value of the property defining the need for significant retrofit of the existing <br />structure (greater than 50% value triggers the retrofit requirement). To date, <br />none of the permitted solar panel installations has triggered the retrofit <br />requirement. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Staff proposes an expedited floodplain permit that verifies roof installation or pole <br />mounted panels. The value of the improvement will be compared to the verified <br />property value from assessor information contained in the county's tax parcel <br />database system. Proposed installations less than 50% of the assessed value <br />will be issued the floodplain permit over the counter. This approach satisfies our <br />permitting and reporting obligations under the Community Rating System <br />(FEMA). <br />FISCAL IMPACTS: <br />Public Works is suggesting a $50.00 fee for the over the counter permit. One <br />hour of staff time is estimated at $30.00. The balance will offset annual reporting <br />requirements to FEMA. <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />None. <br />Page 1 of 1 <br />PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />