RES 2023-073 - Laserfiche WebLink

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KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON 2.3.1.1. Catalog existing initiatives and evaluate for demand and effectiveness. 2.3.1.2. ldentify opportunities for the entrepreneurship program at CWU to work with local businesses. 2.3.1.3. Raise awareness of funding opportunities, such as crowdfunding (when eligible for securities registration exemption) and Small Company Offering Registration, among others. Goal 3. Balanced Growth Direct and manage the County's growth to build a dynamic community that remains an attractive and aff ordable place to live. There are opposing views on the merits of growth in Kittitas County, which have hindered the County's ability to take decisive economic action in any one direction. lndividual opinions aside, the County has grown substantially over the past decade and will likely continue to do so. While growth itself may be inevitable, the magnitude and direction of this growth can be managed to better align with the community's goals. Successfully directing growth requires a strategy to retain and expand existing businesses, pursue target industries that align with the County's values and resources, and develop or redevelop sites to meet those business needs. As housing costs have risen dramatically throughout Kittitas County, managing growth will also require action to improve affordability. Pursuing government funding, forming coalitions among partners, and undertaking joint community planning efforts are all components to increasing housing stock across the affordability spectrum. Supporting a diversity of amenities (quality of place) can influence where people want to live and help attract and retain a broad spectrum of talented individuals and families. Land use is essentialto economic development, and, as such, is addressed in this plan. However, it is important to acknowledge that land use regulations are complex, unique to each community, and continuously evolving. While land use appears prominently in the strategies and actions listed below, these are intended as suggestions to be evaluated by County and City stakeholders. Strategies and Actions 3.1. Encourage the development of a diverse housing stock to rneet the needs of a growing population. 3.1.1. Continue implementing the recommendations in the City of Ellensburg's Housing Action Plan as a model for other communities. 3.1.2. Conduct a housing analysis in the Upper County to assess current housing inventory and to evaluate the regulatory environment, potential capacity, and locations. 3.1.3. Evaluate zoning/land use regulations to identify barriers to density and housing development as well as opportunities to adopt common standards. 3.'1.3.1, lmplement policy and zoning changes to ensure that developments in Kittitas County are competitive for state and federal funding. Zoning changes to consider include ensuring that multifamily zoning is permitted, allowing modular housing and accessory dwelling units, designating community revitalization areas, and allowing early learning facilities in multifamily zones. 3.1.3.2. Ensure land use regulations encourage development of "missing middle" housing and remove potential barriers to housing development, such as parking requirements and setback sizes. PAOT 1() I ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN