2017-03-09-minutes-public-hearing-proposed-temporary-moratorium-on-applications-for-major-alternative-energy-systems

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03/09/2017 MINUTES 2 proposed moratorium. RYAN WILLIAMS reviewed Initiative 937 which was approved in November 2006. He said there was nothing in code that prohibits solar farms in Kittitas County. He was against a moratorium and encouraged the Board to abandon the idea. ERIN ANDERSON opposed the proposed moratorium and said solar power warrants support in the County. She felt solar power was a benefit to citizens and land owners should be able to utilize their land. She encouraged the Board to look at an overlay zone and identify substations. DOUG DICKENS didn’t understand why the Board would delay solar farms and felt land owners should be able to put them on their property if they chose. He said solar and wind energy is the future whether people like it or not and didn’t feel it should be held up as it’s beneficial for the citizens. PATTY CLERF, REPRESENTING HERSELF AND SAVE OUR FARMS explained how farmlands are a critical resource which needs to be protected. She encouraged the Board to continue the moratorium for 6-months to allow citizens to come together for a proposed overlay which could be functional for everyone involved. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED. COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN moved to set a six-month moratorium on major alternative energy systems in order to develop policy and explore all other issues involved. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ seconded. COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN expressed concerns relating to making a long term decision and having affects to the rural character. He said the County has gone through a long, expensive process to protect the rural character by GMA and didn’t believe there would be any hardship done with the moratorium. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ expressed support of a six month moratorium. She said it does not mean there is no possibility of solar facilities in the future, but she would like to invest in researching locations where they would be beneficial to all stakeholders including businesses, landowners & citizens. She stated agriculture lands were also clean energy farms and there is a need to protect them as well. DOC HANSEN, PLANNING OFFICIAL AND DAN CARLSON, CDS DIRECTOR provided the review process that they would be going through if the six-month moratorium was approved by the Board of Commissioners. They also reviewed the work that’s already been conducted. CHAIRMAN JEWELL said he has talked with people relating to potential developments and doesn’t believe the code contemplated that type of impact. He supports solar energy development but it’s a question of where and how it’s done. He said he is also concerned with 5 separate developments that have filed with EFSEC and could continue regardless if moratorium or development regulations are in place. He said there were risks however he believed it was important to take a step back and have meaningful discussion with the community on locations and to ensure there are minimal impacts to the rural