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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />2023 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: March 27, 2023 <br />TOPIC: Elk Meadows Land Use Moratorium <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Mark R. Cook <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct staff prepare enabling legislation. <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• Public Works (PW) has been working with the Board's legal advisory exploring <br />options surrounding the McElroy Bridge. <br />• One of the options results in McElroy Bridge abandonment. <br />• PW is within 30 days from advising a course of action for Board consideration. <br />• The Prosecuting Attorney's office has prepared a temporary land use moratorium <br />limiting new land use development on the far shore of the Yakima River — until <br />such time that the status of the McElroy Bridge is clarified. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The McElroy Bridge in Elk Meadows was repaired last year under emergency permits <br />(County and State). Recently, staff met with Elk Meadows leadership defining additional <br />land use considerations — namely the public water supply. While several key decisions <br />remain, staff believes it necessary to limit any additional land uses on the far shore as we <br />move nearer to defining our expectations for the community and its bridge. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Currently, a handful of full-time residents utilize the McElroy Bridge as their only access <br />option. Numerous legal properties exist across the bridge that are currently undeveloped. <br />As PW and the Board of County Commissioners continue vetting options to bridge <br />replacement, staff believes it prudent to place a temporary land use restriction on far - <br />shore properties. Staff suggests preparing a resolution for Board consideration in concert <br />with Community Development Services and Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Pursuant to <br />Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 36.70A.390, staff is recommending a six- <br />month land use and building permit application moratorium as we finalize our approach <br />to defining the future of McElroy Bridge. A public hearing would be required within 60 <br />days of the moratorium's enactment. <br />Page 1 of 4 <br />Public Works "Work Session Staff Report," 2023 <br />