LP 23-00001 Thorp Landing Final Decision 7 5 23

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24. Darren Higashiyama representing the Kittitas County Fire Marshall's office, provided testimony. He testified that it was agreed that the fire hydrant requirement would be waived by the County and stated that there was no agreement that sprinklers would be waived for habitable structures. It was Mr. Higashiyama's opinion that the requirement for sprinklers within habitable structures has always been required and should remain required for this project. He did indicate that there are ongoing discussions regarding what type of projects sprinklers should be required, but did not change his opinion regarding this project. 25. The Applicant did not submit any testimony from any experts regarding the lack of need for a residential sprinkler system in each of the residences. 26. The Kittitas County Fire Marshal's office are the experts regarding fire safety within Kittitas County. The Hearing Examiner was not provided with any evidence as to why sprinkler systems in the habitable structures should not be required in this project. 27. The Hearing Examiner would note that it was staff's recommendation that sprinkler systems within habitable structures be waived and that instead, a 30' defensible space around habitable structures be required. 28. The Hearing Examiner is going to require the interior sprinkler systems within residential structures in the conditions of approval, but will give the Fire Marshal's office the option, upon further consideration of this issue, to waive that condition and instead provide the 30' defensible space as the only additional fire defense mitigation. 29. Appearing and testified on behalf of the Applicant was Chad Bala. Mr. Bala testified that he was an agent authorized to appear and speak on behalf of the property owner and Applicant. Mr. Bala believed that the requirement for interior sprinkler systems for habitable structures was a new condition imposed by the Fire Marshal. As indicated above, Mr. Higashiyama indicated that this requirement had always been proposed by the Fire Marshal. Mr. Bala testified that there are low fire fuels present due to the area pastures. 30 Also speaking on the Applicant's behalf, was Jeff Slothower. Mr. Slothower is the attorney for the Applicant and property owner. He testified that other homes in the area had not been required to have interior sprinklers in residential structures. He also indicated that there is simply no additional water to purchase for this fire flow requirement. 31 _ The following members of the public testified at the hearing: 31.1 Pat Deneen. Mr. Deneen testified regarding fire flow water requirements and that there simply is not enough water to be purchased for fire flow requirements. 31.2 Paul Dempsey. Mr. Dempsey was not able to be heard on this video conference call, however, upon questioning from the Hearing Examiner, he simply indicated that he wished the Hearing Examiner to rely upon their written submission. 32. The Kittitas County Hearing Examiner considered all evidence within the record in rendering this decision. 33. Any Conclusion of Law that is more correctly a Finding of Fact is hereby incorporated as such by this reference. II. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW The Hearing Examiner has been granted authority to render this decision. LP-23-00001 Thorp Landing Long Plat Page 11 of 18