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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />COUNTY OF KITTITAS <br />STATE OF WASHINGTON <br />Ordinance No. 2017 - <br />An Ordinance Enacting a Six Month Moratorium on Accepting Proposals for Solar <br />Projects That Qualify As Large Scale Alternative Energy Systems within the Kittitas <br />County <br />WHEREAS, Strong interest has developed in the creation of solar projects within the Kittitas <br />County and its agricultural areas; and <br />WHEREAS, Agricultural industry provides a large portion of the economic base within Kittitas <br />County; and <br />WHEREAS, Major Alternative Energy Facilities include hydroelectric plant, solar farm, or wind <br />farm as indicated within KCC 17.61.010(9) <br />WHEREAS, Concern has been expressed in public hearing and public comment that solar <br />projects that would qualify as major alternative energy facilities are planned for <br />lands used for agriculture; and <br />WHEREAS, Kittitas County is in the process of updating its current Comprehensive Plan and <br />development regulations; and <br />WHEREAS, Advisory groups meeting on issues in the update of the Plan have expressed <br />.interest and concern over the rising number of major alternative energy facilities <br />siting regarding solar power; and <br />WHEREAS, The update of the Comprehensive Plan and implementing regulations is <br />expected to occur in 2017. <br />WHEREAS, RCW 36.70A.390 allows adoption of a moratorium on land use activities for sixty <br />(60) days without holding a public hearing; and <br />WHEREAS, The Board of County Commissioners at a specific hearing to hear a conditional <br />use permit request involving the establishment of a solar farm denied the <br />request, and unanimously called for an immediate moratorium on all applications <br />involving major alternative energy systems; and <br />