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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />COUNTY OF KITTITAS <br />STATE OF WASHINGTON <br />Resolution No. 2023 <br />ENACTING A MORATORIUM ON LAND USE DEVELOPMENT FOR ANY PARCEL <br />IN THE ELK MEADOWS COMMUNITY THAT RELIES ON THE MCELROY <br />BRIDGE FOR ACCESS <br />WHEREAS: Elk Meadows is a residential community located in Cle Elum WA that is served by <br />the Elk Meadows Homeowners Association; and <br />WHEREAS: some of the residences in the community are accessed via the McElroy Road <br />Bridge; and <br />WHEREAS: on December 13, 2021, the McElroy Road Bridge collapsed during a high flow <br />event causing a garbage truck to fall into the Yakima River; and <br />WHEREAS: local and state authorizations (including Washington State Department of Fish and <br />Wildlife (WDFW)) were granted to re -install the bridge for temporary use with the stipulation <br />that a permanent replacement structure would follow; and <br />WHEREAS: the Kittitas County Flood Permit conditioned the final fate of the bridge on the <br />pending Easton Reach of the Yakima River Flood Hazard Study; and <br />WHEREAS: the flood hazard hydraulic analysis reveals that imposing state and local standards <br />will be onerous and costly, with estimates nearing $5 million dollars; and <br />WHEREAS: it is unknown at this time whether a replacement bridge can or will be built; and <br />WHEREAS: without a replacement bridge, existing landowners will not have access to their <br />property, nor will any potential future buyers; and <br />WHEREAS: given the status of uncertainty regarding bridge feasibility, the County believes it <br />prudent to stop future land use development pending a final decision on the fate of the bridge; <br />and <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: 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 six (6) months <br />and be extended for up to one (1) year when accompanied by a work plan for moratorium <br />research; and <br />