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Ordinance 2017- ' <br />March 10, 2017 <br />WHEREAS, Public hearing must be held within sixty (60) days of the moratorium's enactment <br />and findings of fact must be made to support the action. A moratorium may last <br />six (6) months and be extended for up to one (1) year when accompanied by a <br />work plan for moratorium research; and <br />WHEREAS, A resolution on the requested moratorium was passed and signed by the Board <br />of County Commissioners on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 requesting the <br />moratorium for sixty (60) days from January 10, 2017; and <br />WHEREAS, Notice of public hearing was made in the official newspaper of the County on <br />February 23, 2017 and March 2, 2017 and posted on the County website on <br />February 23, 2017; and <br />WHEREAS, After due notice a public hearing was held on March 9, 2017 at 6 p.m. where <br />public testimony was received by the Board in regards to the proposal; and <br />WHEREAS, After consideration of evidence presented; received public comment and the staff <br />report, the Board can make a decision regarding the moratorium. <br />NOW THE BOARD FINDS' <br />1. The Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan is being updated and planned for adoption by <br />August of 2017. <br />2 A potentially high number of proponents for solar farms have shown interest in the <br />development of solar energy systems within the Kittitas County valley. <br />3. Large numbers of large solar energy systems may have an impact upon the agricultural <br />activity within the valley, which is a prime industry within the County. <br />4. The Board desires standards and/or criteria for the placement of such facilities. <br />5. Such siting criteria will be placed within the Comprehensive Plan objectives and policies <br />in several of its elements. <br />6. Deciding such criteria at this time supersedes and undermines the development of the <br />Comprehensive Plan <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY ORDERED, that all application for solar projects that <br />would qualify as major alternative energy systems not be accepted for application for (6) months <br />from January 10, 2017 or until the Comprehensive Plan and the implementing regulations for <br />the County are adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. <br />ADOPTED this day of _ 12017. <br />