StffRrpt_Resolution_Exhibit A_Exhibit B_Exhibit C 07282026

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receiving sites with infrastructure capacity; the current code's provisions risk outcomes inconsistent with these statutory goals and the County's own stated purpose in KCC 17.13.010; and WHEREAS, March 27, 2026, Commerce comment letter on the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update (Exhibit C) identified related concerns with land use designations and zoning (including rural zoning classifications within UGAs), PUD zoning that spans urban and rural land use designations that directly affect consistent TDR implementation, receiving site eligibility, and density calculations; and WHEREAS, strong interest has developed in the use of the TDR program within Kittitas County, increasing both the number of potential applications and the risk that applications could vest or proceed under regulations that Commerce has identified as needing revision to protect rural character and direct growth appropriately; and WHEREAS, RCW 36.70A.390 authorizes a jurisdiction to initiate a moratorium on land use activities for up to six (6) months (with a required public hearing within 60 days) and for up to one (1) year when a work plan for related studies is developed; the statute further allows renewal for additional six-month periods upon subsequent public hearing and findings of fact; and WHEREAS, on August 4a`, 2026, following proper public notice, the Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed one-year extension of the moratorium, at which public testimony opportunities were provided, the two Commerce comment letters, a CDS staff report, and the proposed work plan; and WHEREAS, the Board finds that extending the moratorium for one (1) year is necessary, reasonable, and narrowly tailored to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by: (a) allowing adequate time for comprehensive legal, policy, and technical analysis of the TDR program; (b) evaluating two primary paths--(1) comprehensive revision of KCC Chapter 17.13 to cure the deficiencies identified by Commerce or (2) repeal of the TDR program with appropriate transition provisions; (c) conducting meaningful stakeholder engagement with cities, potential sending -site landowners, developers, agricultural and forest interests, and the public; (d) coordinating TDR changes with the adopted 2026 Comprehensive Plan and related development regulation updates; (e) preventing the processing of new TDR applications under regulations that risk producing outcomes inconsistent with the GMA, the Comprehensive Plan, and the protection of rural character and natural resource lands; and (f) ensuring that any future TDR activity (or decision to discontinue the program) occurs under clear, defensible, and GMA-compliant rules; and WHEREAS, the Work Plan attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A has been developed to guide the required analysis, public engagement, and legislative actions during the extended moratorium period and satisfies the statutory prerequisite under RCW 36.70A.390 for a period longer than six months;